DANCEWORKS 2027 DEADLINE – OCTOBER 23
CPT seeks local dance companies for DanceWorks 2027!
DanceWorks offers an opportunity for emerging and established Northeast Ohio dance companies and choreographers to present world premiere works in a series with other local dance companies as an important part of Cleveland Public Theatre’s 2026-2027 Season.
DanceWorks aims to create a bold experimental playground for companies and choreographers. We seek to represent a diverse array of forms, genres, and aesthetic values. Performances should be comprised of at least 50% world premiere work. Pieces will be selected with special consideration to impact and quality.
Through a submission process, CPT is looking to select 3-6 local dance companies for a slot between February 8th and March 7th. Each group selected will perform for one weekend. Applicants may apply to be on a double bill and split the evening of entertainment with another company. Solo choreographers may also choose to work with another one or two choreographers to create a combined evening application for a single bill. In this scenario, please choose only one person to serve as the lead artist and point of contact with CPT.
Groups may apply for single bills (at least 75 minutes of programming) or to be on a double bill (30-45 minutes of programming).
Groups on a double bill will share venue, rehearsal time, and technical time.
For single bills, a group will receive a guarantee of $2,000 against a box office split of 60% for the dance company. For example, if a project makes $3,000 at the box office, the project will keep the $2,000 guarantee. If the box office is $4,000, the project will get a total of $2,400 including the advance and an additional $400.
For double bills, a group will receive a guarantee of $1,200 against a box office split of 30% for the dance company. For example, if a project makes $4,000 at the box office, the project will keep the $1,200 guarantee. If the box office is $5,000 the project will get a total of $1,500 including the advance and an additional $300.
CPT produces a direct mail brochure advertising DanceWorks as a series, however it is up to the individual companies to promote their own show.
If selected, CPT will provide:
• a series Stage Manager available evenings
• 4 hours of technician time on the Monday of your showing
• a repertory light plot suitable for dance
• basic sound playback
• box office and house management staff
Each company needs to provide their own artistic collaborators and additional technical staff as needed. Please note that your group may choose to adjust the light plot provided, but if you choose to do so, your company is responsible for all adjustments made and return the plot to its original state immediately following your final performance.
Each group or pair of groups will have access to the theatre only for the week of their show: Monday – Wednesday for load-in and rehearsals, and Thursday – Saturday for performances. Double bills will share revenue, rehearsal time, and tech time.