Ninth Annual Goose Route Dance Festival

The Goose Route Dance Festival, going into its tenth season, seeks proposals from contemporary modern dance artists interested in performing and teaching at next July’s festival.

WHAT IS THE GOOSE ROUTE DANCE FESTIVAL?

Founded in 2001, the Goose Route Dance Festival (GRDF) is a project of the Goose Route Arts Collaborative (GRAC), a not-for-profit arts organization based in Shepherdstown, WV, on the banks of the Potomac River. Taking place over two long weekends, the Festival showcases the talents of contemporary dance artists from a variety of geographic locations. It aims to provide an occassion for artists to exchange ideas with one another and to share their work with a supportive audience. The GRDF is also interested in encouraging participating dance artists to build networks with colleagues in other areas that will lead to future performance opportunities. In selecting artists to perform at GRDF, preference is given to those who share this vision and who may provide performance opportunities for other artists. Through performing and teaching in this fun and historic town, participating dance artists also help to increase public awareness and understanding of contemporary mdoern dance.

The GRDF, directed by dancer/choreographer Kitty Clark, is made possible with major funding from the Mardi Gras Fund, with additional support from organizations and individual contributors.

WHAT IS THE FORMAT OF THE FESTIVAL?

The Festival takes place over two long weekends (Thursday, July 15-Sunday, July 18 and Thursday, July 22-Sunday, July 25). During each weekend, there are four formal concerts (two shows, each performed twice) (Friday night/Saturday matinee and Saturday night/Sunday matinee); a family show/open dress rehearsal (Friday morning) showing some of the same works that will be performed during the formal concerts (essentially an open dress rehearsal); classes for children and for adults; lectures; and time to meet and network with other dance artists from other places. Tech rehearsals begin on Wednesday evenings. Choreographers and dancers need to be available no later than Thursday at 9 am and stay until their performances are complete on either Saturday or Sunday.

Choreographers share each concert with two other choreographers -- each choreographer performing approximately 20 minutes of repertory per concert. Choreographers may propose performing one show only (20 minutes of repertory) or two shows (40 minutes of repertory -- a different 20 minutes of repertory each show).

Dance classes are taught by Festival artists. Choreographers are invited to propose a class that they or a company member would like to teach. Classes are offered for the other dance artists performing in the festival, other dance professionals, local community dancers, and intermediate-advanced teenage students. There are also classes offered for kids.

Artists interested in teaching should send a brief class proposal that describes the class topic (ie, technique, partnering, improvisation, class for kids, etc.). Please keep in mind that we offer classes for children and adults when proposing a class topic. An additional fee is provided for teaching.

WHAT DOES GRDF PROVIDE THE ARTIST?

We are a small organization with a small budget. We provide:

* a modest artist's fee ($400 for one show; $800 for two shows)
* a modest teaching fee (if asked to teach a class for adults or children, approximately $50-$75/class)
* housing (typically staying with local hosts)
* modest stipend to go towards travel costs
* publicity
* technical personnel to run lights and sound
* the opportunity to network with other dance artists
* the opportunity to perform for very appreciative audiences in a fun and beautiful small town.

The performance space is an informal one. It is a high-ceilinged room without wings or crossover. There is a marley floor over wood. We are unable to accommodate aerial work or very large sets. Lights are basic and minimal (12 lights). We have a white backdrop suitable for video projection.

HOW DOES AN ARTIST APPLY TO BE PART OF THE FESTIVAL?

Dance artists should submit a proposal using the Application Form on the final page of this notice, along with a $20 application fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope if you would like your materials returned.

NO ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS! SEND EVERYTHING BY SNAIL MAIL (address below).

Deadline for submission of proposals: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2009 (postmark).

We plan to notify selected artists by March, 2010.

WHO HAS BEEN PRESENTED AT GRDF IN THE PAST?

Previous choreographers have included Alethea Adsitt (NYC), Heather Ahern (WV), Brandon 'Peace' Albright/Illstyle & Peace Productions (Philadelphia), Katerina Antoniadou (NC), Arts United of Washington/Melissa Saint Amour (DC), Monica Bill Barnes (NYC), Christal Brown (NYC), Anne Burnidge (Buffalo, NY) Cat Scratch Theatre (DC), Clare Byrne (NYC), Darrah Carr Dance (NYC), Amy Chavasse (VT/NC), Jennifer Chin (NYC), CityDance 2 (Washington, DC), Kitty Clark (WV), danah bella Danceworks (Radford, VA) Michele Dunleavy (PA), Meghan Durham/Merge Dance (Philadelphia), Carson Efird (NC), Erica Essner Performance Co-Op (NYC), Courtney Greer (NC), Jeslyn Dance Gallery (Washington, DC), Cara Hagan (NC), James Hansen (Rochester, NY), Heather Harrington (NYC), Guta Hedewig (NYC), Mare Hieronimus (DC), Makoto Hirano (Philadelphia), Shannon Hummel (NYC), Incidents Physical Theater (NYC), Philippa Kaye Company (NYC), Therese Keegan (MD), Sharon Mansur (DC), Carli Mareneck (WV), Gesel Mason (DC), Megan Mazarick (Philadelphia), Lucy Bowen McCauley (DC), Cynthia McLaughlin (WV), Tiffany Mills (NYC), Paul Mosley (NY), Next Reflex Dance Collective (Fairfax, VA), Nu Dance Theater/Eva Perrotta (NYC), Bess Park-Reynolds (WV), Laura Peterson Choreography (NYC), PIMA Group (Philadelphia), Restless Native Dance/Tamieca McCloud (NYC), Laura Schandelmeier (DC), Marcy Schlissel (DC), Karen Schupp (AZ), Raymond C. Shaw (WV), Kathryn Sparks (VA), Kristi Spessard (NYC), Spinning Yarns Dance Collective/Susan Donham (San Francisco, CA), Katherine Kiefer Stark (NC), Starr Foster Dance Project (Richmond, VA), Ashley Suttlar (Morehead, KY), Sweetie Pie Productions (Chicago/Colorado), Kara Tatelbaum (NYC), Keith Thompson/danceTactics Performance Group (NYC), Ashley Thorndike/Peter Swendsen (OH), Vagary Infusion (Pittsburgh), Vincent Thomas (Baltimore), Marvin Webb (DC), Boris Willis (DC), Christalyn Wright (NYC), YelleB Dance Ensemble (NYC).

WHAT IS GRAC’S MISSION?

GRAC's mission is to collaborate with artists -- both urban and non-urban -- to create and present new performance pieces; to cultivate in audiences an appreciation of dance, music, and other art forms; and to provide communities with meaningful artistic experiences.

ABOUT SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV

Shepherdstown, WV, in the state's Eastern Panhandle, is approximately 75 miles northwest of Washington, DC, about 5 hours from NYC, and about 3 hours from Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. It is a small, historic, and vibrant community that also hosts the Contemporary American Theater Festival at Shepherd University during the month of July. The town is situated on the Potomac River, and many recreational and historic sights such as Antietam Battlefield, Harpers Ferry, the C&O Canal, and the Appalachian Trail are nearby. In addition, Shepherdstown has numerous art galleries, restaurants, and shops. Goose Route audiences are made up of people from Washington and Baltimore spending a weekend "in the country" as well as Shepherdstown's own eclectic, art-hungry residents.

PROPOSALS, with completed application form, DVD/video, information about pieces, artist/company information, and $20 application fee should be mailed by 12/1/09 to:

Kitty Clark
Goose Route Arts Collaborative
PO Box 1552
Shepherdstown, WV 25443

Please direct questions to Kitty Clark at gooseroute@frontiernet.net or 304-876-6751.

More information available at www.gooseroute.org

Materials will only be returned if a self-addressed, stamped envelope is provided.

Deadline for submission of proposals: DECEMBER 1, 2009 (postmark). No electronic submissions.

We plan to notify selected artists by March, 2010.

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10th Annual Goose Route Dance Festival
July 15-25, 2010
Shepherdstown, WV

APPLICATION COVER SHEET

Company/Artist Name: ________________________________________________________

Contact Person: ______________________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

Phone: ______________________________ Cell: _________________________________

e-mail: ________________________________ website: _____________________________
...................................................................................................................................

1) One show or two shows?
___ We are applying to be in one show only (20 minutes of repertory performed either Friday/ Saturday or Saturday/Sunday)

___ We are applying to be in two shows (20 minutes of repertory for Friday/Saturday performances and a different 20 minutes of repertory for Saturday/Sunday performances)

2) Availability?
___ We are available to perform the first weekend only (July 15-18)

___ We are available to perform the second weekend only (July 22-25)

___ We are available to perform either weekend

3) Due to our tight scheduling, we ask performers to be in Shepherdstown no later than Thursday at 9 am of the weekend they are performing (Thursday, July 15 or Thursday, July 22). Are you and your performers available to be in Shepherdstown at that time?
YES _____ NO _____

4) How many performers total are you proposing to bring? _________________

5) On a separate piece of paper, please list the names of each dance you are proposing to perform and, if proposing to perform in two shows, which dances would be in which show. Please include the following information:
• a brief description of the dance
• the number of dancers in each piece
• the music used
• the length of the dance
• any props (and whether you are bringing them or expect us to provide them)
• whether there is video projection and whether you will bring your own projector
• anything else we should know about the piece.

6) Are you interested in teaching a class for kids and/or adults/teens? _______
(You do not have to teach a class in order to be considered for a performing slot). If so, please attach a separate piece of paper with a description of what you would like to teach. We typically offer 90-minute master classes for adults/teens of varying experiences throughout the Festival as well as several kids’ classes for ages 3-12 (not all in one group!).

7) With your proposal, please include:
• a DVD (or VHS tape), clearly labeled with your name, of the pieces you are proposing to perform. The DVD/video should show us completed works (rehearsal tapes of completed works are OK). If there are multiple pieces on one DVD/video, please be very clear about which dance you would like us to watch.
• a press kit that includes information about you/your company
• a $20 application fee (check or money order, made out to Goose Route Arts Collaborative)
• a self-addressed stamped envelope (if you would like your materials returned)

Deadline (postmark) for submission of proposals: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2009.
We plan to notify selected artists by March 1, 2010.

Proposals should be sent to:
GRAC, PO Box 1552, Shepherdstown, WV 25443

No electronic submissions.