Austin Dance Festival is an annual dance festival inspired by the makers of modern dance, post-modern dance, contemporary dance, experimental dance, and improvisational dance. The festival’s curated events include professional dance showcases by artists from across the country. Other festival activities include an exciting line-up of master classes for recreational, youth, and professional dancers taught by the festival’s guest artists, a college fair, a Pro Chat for youth, and post-show receptions.
SCHEDULE
Dance on Film
Thursday, February 26, 2026
- Galaxy Theatres
- A jam packed evening featuring dance films from around the world in a sweet venue with reclining chairs!
Austin Dance Festival
April 9 - 12, 2026
- The 2026 festival will include an artist welcome reception, master classes, two professional dance concerts at Ballet Austin, and artist interviews at Cafe Dance.
TICKETS
Check back in 2026!
APPLY
Applications for Dance on Film 2026 will open June 15, 2025. The deadline to submit your application is December 14, 2025.
Applications for Austin Dance Festival 2026 will open on September 1, 2025.
MEDIA
Artist Interviews
See more artist interviews at vimeo.com/austindancefestival
PRESS
Austin Dance Festival 2023
David Robinson’s Preview of Austin Dance Festival
David Robinson’s Review of Dance on Film
Austin Dance Festival 2021
David Robinson’s Reviews of Austin Dance Festival 2021
CTX Live Theatre, Part 1 of 2
CTX Live Theatre, Part 2 of 2
Austin Dance Festival 2020
David Robinson’s Review of Dance on Film 2020
Art Profiler - Dance on Film (Austin Dance Festival) Review
Austin Dance Festival 2019
David Robinson’s Backstage Perspective
ArtProfiler - Part 1: Read about the Dance on Film showcase
ArtProfiler - Part 2: Read about the Professional showcase
ArtProfiler - Part 3: Read about the Youth Academy showcase
SIGHTLINES
Previews of Dance on Film screening
2019 Archive
2018 Archive
2017 Archive
FAQ
WHAT KIND OF DANCES AM I GOING TO SEE?
Our festival presents contemporary modern works. Since each dance reflects what is important to that particular choreographer, our programming is incredibly diverse. Look for expression, meaning, abstraction, virtuosity, minimalism, humor, gravity, grace, design, experimentation, movement invention, and more.
WHAT IS THE THEATER LIKE? DO I NEED TO BRING MY OPERA GLASSES?
We want our audience members to be close to the action and to enjoy great sightlines, so we present our showcases in small theaters where the seats are on risers so you won’t miss any of the action. Every seat is a great seat.
CAN I BRING MY FAMILY?
We suggest bringing young children to the Youth Edition Concert to see our pre-professional dance companies. These dances are better suited to young audiences than our professional showcases. Some films in the Dance on Film screening may contain adult content.
WHAT ELSE CAN I DO AT THE FESTIVAL?
In addition to attending the professional and youth showcases, we welcome our community to attend post-show receptions, master classes, the college dance fair, and the Pro Chat for youth. Our events take place in the heart of Austin near multiple restaurants, hiking trails, shopping centers and museums. We encourage you to get to know the city as part of your adventure!
HOW DO YOU SELECT THE PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS?
Dance artists and companies submit videos of their work to the festival. A diverse group of choreographers, educators, and dance writers from across the country review artist submissions and make recommendations based upon factors such as creativity and innovation, development of ideas, choreographic structure, execution, diversity, and historical, social, and cultural perspectives. The Executive Director uses the recommendations to curate showcases that highlight superior work in the broad field of modern dance, that demonstrate equitable representation, that showcase a variety of local, regional, and national work, and that deepen our understanding of ourselves and each other.
HOW DO YOU SELECT THE YOUTH DANCE COMPANIES?
Youth dance company directors submit videos of their company work to the festival.The festival directors strive to represent a wide range of modern dances from local, regional, and national youth dance companies. We look for submissions that are fully-realized pieces of choreography, that are well-rehearsed, and that are executed in a highly-proficient manner. The dances must also meet fundamental guidelines including but not limited to age range and length of dance.
ADA COMPLIANCE POLICY
KDH Dance Company will provide reasonable modifications and equal access to communications by request. Please provide two weeks advance notice if you require accommodations. Contact: adfnatasha@gmail.com.
I still have a question.
No problem. Please contact our administrative team at austindancefestival512@gmail.com.
SPONSORS
KDH Dance Company is supported in part by The Texas Commission on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, and by supporters just like you.
You can show your support for the festival by making a donation here.
Venmo @kdhdance
STAFF
Ilana Wolanow
Co-Founder, Austin Dance Festival
Co-Producer, Dance on Film
Front of House Coordinator
President, KDH Dance Company Board of Directors
ilana@austindancefestival.comStephen Pruitt
Production Manager, Technical Director, Lighting Designer
fluxiondesigns.comstephen@fluxiondesigns.com
Jennifer Williams
Co-Producer, Dance on Film
Board Member, KDH Dance Company Board of Directors
jenniferadfdof@gmail.com