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Pro Showcase

Guidelines, FAQs, and Application Tips

Festival Dates:

April 9-12, 2026

 

Submission Deadline:

December 1, 2025, 11:59p.m. CST

 

Notification:

January 11, 2026

 

Professional Showcases:

April 11, 2026

 

Location:

Austin Ventures Studio Theater, Ballet Austin​

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Read Me

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION BEFORE APPLYING

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Length of dances:

Approximately 3 - 15 minutes

 

Footwear:

Only bare feet or socks are allowed on the dance floor.

 

Other:

We cannot accommodate projection, harnesses, large set pieces, helium balloons, confetti, or glitter. Please note that if you submit work with these features, you should be prepared to adjust the piece accordingly, if selected. We MAY be able to accommodate live music, however, if you submit a piece with live music, you should also be prepared to present the work with an audio recording.

 

Techs:

Prior to arriving at the festival, all companies will complete an online questionnaire about lighting and music cues. Dances that rely heavily on specific and/or extensive lighting and sound cues will need to be simplified. Please note that we cannot project video as part of your dance performance. We cannot accommodate large or numerous set pieces that require a lengthy set up or breakdown. Technical rehearsals will occur Friday, April 10th and Saturday, April 11th.

 

Apply:

Read the following Application FAQS, then fill out the Google Form (linked at the end of the FAQs) and pay your $40 application fee via PayPal or Venmo to KDH Dance Company. The application fee is non-refundable, and application fee waivers are not currently available.​​

Application FAQs

​How do you select the works?

A diverse group of choreographers, educators, and dance writers from across the country will review artist submissions and make recommendations based on factors such as creativity, innovation, development of ideas, choreographic structure, execution, diversity, and historical, social, and cultural perspectives. The Executive team will use the recommendations to curate showcases that highlight superior work in the broad field of modern dance, that demonstrate equitable representation, and that showcase a variety of local, regional, and national work. We also consider time/space parameters, number of dancers, and tone when making final programming decisions. Our goal is to curate a festival of dance that is diverse, compelling, entertaining, and of the highest possible artistic quality. Even so, we will end up having to eliminate many wonderful dances. If you are not selected, we sincerely hope you will consider applying again.

 

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Can I submit more than one piece?

Yes, you may submit two pieces. Each submission requires a separate application and application fee.

 

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What type of work are you looking for?

Austin Dance Festival presents modern, post-modern, contemporary, and improvisational dance.

 

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Can I request to perform at a particular show?

No. We do not accommodate special requests for rehearsal or performance times. By applying to the festival, you agree to perform in either show and to attend a spacing rehearsal and a production meeting prior to your performance. We communicate festival information well in advance so you can plan accordingly. 

 

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Can my video submission be a rehearsal video? Does it have to be of the dance I will be performing?

Please submit a performance or rehearsal video of the dance you want to perform at the festival. See the VIDEO TIPS near the bottom of the FAQs for more information regarding video submissions.

 

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How will I know if I’ve been selected?

All applicants will receive an email notification about the status of your submission(s). Please check your spam folders! If you are selected, you will be asked to promptly accept our invitation and send a professional photo for ADF marketing materials. If you do not meet our acceptance deadline, we will give your spot to another artist. Artists who are not selected this year are strongly encouraged to apply again next year.

 

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Why wasn’t I selected?

Not being selected is not a commentary on the value of your work. It is unfortunate that space and time prevent us from accepting every submission. When making programming decisions, we consider a variety of factors including the tone of the dance, the length of the dance, the number of dancers, and etc. Due to the volume of applications we receive, we cannot provide feedback to applicants who are not selected. Curating the showcases is a huge puzzle, so if you are not selected this year, please consider applying again!

 

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Do participants receive a stipend?

Yes, participating companies will receive a stipend. Companies should be prepared to cover costs to attend the festival, including, but not limited to, food, lodging, parking, and transportation.

 

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I’ve read through the guidelines and still have a question!

No problem. Please contact our administrative team at austindancefestival512@gmail.com.

 

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Where is the application?

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In addition to submitting your application 

Pay your $40 application fee to KDH Dance Company (the producer of Austin Dance Festival) via PayPal or Venmo. Please include the company or artist name and title of the piece in the payment description. The application fee is non-refundable.

 

Paypal HERE

 

Venmo  @kdhdance

Video Tips

  • Your video submission should be a complete video, from beginning to end, of the work as you plan to perform it. Unfinished works will not be considered. 

  • Send a clear, unobstructed, unedited video (or the best you can!).

  • You can submit a rehearsal video, however, please try to fill in as many gaps for us as you can. For example, if you have costumes, wear them in the video. It is helpful for us to see as complete of a vision as possible of your work. 

  • Make sure your video is public and that we have permission to view it. If it is password protected, include the password in your application.

  • Send your video link to two people and make sure they can open and view it before you include it in your application.

 
Checklist:
  • Fill out the submission form.

  • Pay your $40 application fee.

  • Remember to pay your application fee through PayPal or Venmo and to include the company or artist name and title of the piece in the payment description.

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Merde!

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