FRESH TRACKS AUDITIONS PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE IN ITS ENTIRETY FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE FRESH TRACKS PROGRAM

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1 FRESH TRACKS AUDITIONS PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE IN ITS ENTIRETY FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE FRESH TRACKS PROGRAM Located in the heart of Chelsea in New York City, New York Live Arts is an internationally recognized destination for innovative movement-based artistry offering audiences access to art and artists notable for their conceptual rigor, formal experimentation and active engagement with the social, political and cultural currents of our times. At the center of this identity is Bill T. Jones, Artistic Director, a world-renowned choreographer, dancer, theater director and writer. Fresh Tracks, a program created in 1965 by Dance Theater Workshop, is intended for emerging choreographers in the early years of making and promoting their work. New York Live Arts is committed to providing a platform for new artistic voices to gain professional experience and recognition in the field. Fresh Tracks provides opportunities for participating artists to engage directly with New York Live Arts staff, artists, and arts professionals about their work within the context of the professional contemporary dance and performance field. In September 2014, New York Live Arts will hold auditions to select six choreographers for the Fresh Tracks program. Artists selected for the program will receive a series of professional development workshops and be presented by New York Live Arts in a three-night showcase in the theater. In the spring, these artists will receive a commission, 50-hours of studio space for research and development, and two one-on-one sessions with an Artistic Advisor. New York Live Arts values experimentation, collaboration and a genuine commitment to new ideas and new aesthetics. We place a premium on the originality of ideas and the quality of their execution. A panel of artists and other professionals from the field will select artists based on their demonstration of the above qualities and must possess a keen desire to develop and explore their work with their peers in the context of a residency program. Choreographers are required to participate in ALL scheduled activities (see page 3). Of the 48 audition slots, 32 will be assigned randomly to artists who submit an online application. The remaining 16 slots will be assigned based on recommendations from individuals invited by New York Live Arts. To request an audition based on the random selection, complete the Fresh Tracks Audition Form via the online link below. You may not save applications in process. Once applications are submitted they cannot be edited. Fresh Tracks Audition Form: All forms must be SUBMITTED BY FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, AM EST to be considered. No exceptions. New York Live Arts can only accept one form for each interested choreographer. New York Live Arts will randomly select 32 choreographers from the forms received. Selected choreographers will be contacted by with their assigned audition slot. We regret that we can only contact those artists selected for auditions, and a list of the auditioners will be posted on our website once it is available. There is no fee to audition. Please only request an audition if you are absolutely sure you want to audition, and that you meet the below criteria. Choreographers (and their performers) interested in being part of Fresh Tracks need to be available for all audition, technical rehearsal and performance dates (see page 3). Choreographers must be available to utilize the spring creative residency, as well as all fall and spring workshops (see page 3) Fresh Tracks Audition Page 1 of 6

2 The work the panel sees at the audition is the intended work to be presented in the Fresh Tracks performance in January Works auditioned should be finished or in a late-stage completed form. Excerpts from longer works are not eligible. Your piece must be auditioned with these essential elements included: choreography set on the dancers intended for the performance, some representation of costumes, and when applicable sound/music and set/scenic elements. We strongly encourage you to audition new work for this series, but other works will be considered. Each choreographer may audition no more than one work. We encourage you to audition works that have reasonable technical specifications given the format of the program. It may not be possible to present highly technical pieces with complex design or scenic elements. Projection: If you use slide or video projection you will not be able to use these elements in your audition. We encourage you to present the panel with visual aids, such as drawings, prints, or a laptop with images. Special arrangements must be made for pieces that require clean up. Please contact Vincent Vigilante, Director of Production, at vvigilante@newyorklivearts.org at least two-weeks prior to your audition. Tap shoes, flamenco shoes, spray paint, powder and rosin are not permitted on the stage. Due to the overwhelming demand for audition times, we ask that all cancellations be made at least three-weeks prior to your scheduled audition. If you fail to cancel your audition in advance you may forfeit eligibility to audition in the future. You are NOT eligible to audition: If you auditioned in 2013 (this includes collaborations). If you are scheduled to perform your own work in NYC 30-days before or after the Fresh Tracks performances (Please see Fresh Tracks FAQ for exceptions.) If you have participated in the Fresh Tracks program previously. (Please see Fresh Tracks FAQ for exceptions.) Auditions will be held at New York Live Arts, 219 West 19 th Street (between 7 th and 8 th Avenues), on the theater stage. Artists should be prepared to answer questions from the panel relating to their background, their work, their creative goals and what they hope to gain from the residency workshops. Each audition slot is a maximum of 25-minutes including any set-up and breakdown. NO EXCEPTIONS. Recorded accompaniment: The theater has a 1/8 jack for an mp3 player and a CD player. If you are performing in your work we encourage you to bring a helper for sound cues. Lighting: The stage will be lit in a general wash. No blackouts, fades or special effects can be accommodated. Performance Space Dimensions: 42 x27 minimum. Space may be bigger if no soft goods are hung. Be aware that an overly complicated technical set-up may not be appropriate or feasible for the audition circumstances or program, given the shared format, so please inquire first. Please consult the Fresh Tracks FAQ (pages 4-6) as many questions are addressed in the document. Benjamin Kimitch, Producing Manager bkimitch@newyorklivearts.org For general program questions. Vincent Vigilante, Director of Production vvigilante@newyorklivearts.org For technical questions about the audition (stage, lighting, sound) or special needs such as live music. All forms must be SUBMITTED BY AUGUST 1, AM EST to be considered Fresh Tracks Audition Page 2 of 6

3 FRESH TRACKS SCHEDULE Choreographers are required to attend all residency activities, including workshops and dialogues. Audition Dates Saturday, September 6, 2014 from 10am-6pm (25 minute slot, TBD) Sunday, September 7, 2014 from 10am-6pm (25 minute slot, TBD) Sunday, September 14, 2014 from 10am-6pm (25 minute slot, TBD) Production Schedule Worklight Rehearsal: Technical Rehearsal: Tech Run: Dress Rehearsal & Photo Call: Performance Dates: November 19-21, 2014 (2-hour slot, TBD) Tuesday, January 27, 2015 between 10am and 10pm (1.5 hour slot, TBD) Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at 2pm Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at 7:30pm Thursday, January 29, 2015 at 7:30pm Friday, January 30, 2015 at 7:30pm Saturday, January 31, 2015 at 7:30pm Workshop Schedule Orientation *7:30pm: RoseAnne Spradlin performance Intro-Dialogue Session *7:30pm: Cynthia Oliver performance Business of Dance *7:30pm: Gisele Vienne performance Intro to Fundraising Intro to Press & Publicity Intro to Tech & Production Individual sessions with Artistic Advisor Critical Discourse Dialogue Sessions *7:30pm (Thursday): Emily Johnson performance Residency Studio Showing Program Evaluation Session Thursday, October 9, 2014 from 4:30-6:30pm* Thursday, October 23, 2014 from 3:30-6:30pm* Thursday, October 30, 2014 from 3:30-6:30pm* Thursday, November 13, 2014 from 3:30-6:30pm Thursday, November 20, 2014 from 3:30-6:30pm Friday, December 5, 2014 from 12-3pm February 2015 (1 hr session, TBD) Thursday, February 12, 2015 from 3:30-6:30pm Wed, Apr 22 & Thu, Apr 23, 2015 from 10am-7pm* Friday, June 5, 2015 at 6pm Thursday, June 18, 2015 from 3:30-6:30pm *Show Night: Fresh Tracks artists are invited to attend performances following the Fresh Tracks workshop Fresh Tracks Audition Page 3 of 6

4 Fresh Tracks FAQ Questions about the Application and Auditions: 1. What do I need to submit to request an audition? To request an audition based on the random selection, complete the Fresh Tracks Audition Form online via the link below. You may not save applications in process. Once applications are submitted they cannot be edited. Do not send in resumes, bios, photos, or any other materials with your application. Fresh Tracks Audition Form: 2. Will I be notified if I do not receive an audition slot from the random selection? No. New York Live Arts will not be able to notify artists who are not drawn from the random selection due to the heavy volume of applications submitted. Selected artists will be contacted no more than two-days after the submission deadline. 3. Is there a fee to audition? There is no fee to audition. 4. What if I am not available during my assigned audition time, or if one of my dancers is unavailable? New York Live Arts will try to accommodate your schedule and find another audition time; however, we cannot guarantee that this will be possible. 5. What if the work I want to audition has been performed before? While New York Live Arts encourages artists to audition new works, choreographers may audition pieces that have been presented previously. 6. What if I am scheduled to perform my work in New York City 30-days before or after the Fresh Tracks Performances? You are not eligible to audition if you are already scheduled to perform your own work in New York 30-days before or after the Fresh Tracks performances. Exceptions may be made with prior written consent of New York Live Arts for work not being auditioned for Fresh Tracks that will be performed in a showcase format where the choreographer is not a featured artist on the program. 7. May I audition excerpts from a larger work? No. Eligible works cannot exceed 15 minutes in their completed form. 8. What if the piece I want to audition isn t finished yet? Works should be finished or in a late-stage completed form to be eligible for Fresh Tracks auditions, and must be auditioned with choreography set on the dancers intended for the performance, music and some representation of costumes, set and scenic design (when applicable). Excerpts from larger works are not eligible. If there are any questions about eligibility, please contact the Producing Manager Fresh Tracks Audition Page 4 of 6

5 9. May I audition work other than my own for Fresh Tracks? No. Fresh Tracks is a performance and residency program for choreographers. You must audition pieces that you choreographed. 10. How does the audition work? You will have 1-2 minutes to complete a brief spacing and sound check before beginning your performance, followed by questions and discussion with the panel. Works cannot exceed 15 minutes, and cannot be an excerpt from a larger work. Each audition slot is a maximum of 25 minutes including any set-up and/or breakdown. 11. What if my piece has video or scenic elements? Can I bring them to the audition? If you have video, we recommend that you either bring a sample on a laptop to show the panel or that you bring other representations (i.e. photographs) of the visual elements in your piece. If your piece is technically complex, it is not appropriate for a shared program. If you have questions, contact the Director of Production. 12. What if my piece uses water or other materials that need to be cleaned up? If your piece requires clean up or has special conditions, please contact the Director of Production at least oneweek prior to your audition. Overly technical set ups may not be appropriate for this platform. 13. What if my piece requires tap or flamenco shoes? Tap and flamenco shoes are not allowed on the stage floor. You may audition with your own floor assuming you can set it up and strike it within the allowed audition time of 25 minutes. 14. May guests attend my audition? No. The auditions are closed to guests with the exception of collaborators, technicians and other persons essential to the performance. 15. May I film or photograph my audition? No. 16. Is there a limit to how many times I can audition for Fresh Tracks? No, there is currently no cap on how many times you may audition for Fresh Tracks provided you meet the eligibility requirements and criteria for the program. However, you are not eligible to audition if you have participated in the Fresh Tracks program previously, unless prior to 2006 (the year the residency component was added to the program). 17. Why can t I request an audition two years in a row? New York Live Arts wants to make sure we can provide as many audition opportunities as possible, so we ask you to take a year off after auditioning even if you are not selected so that others may have an opportunity. 18. Why are there only 48 audition slots? Due to limited availability of the theater, New York Live Arts can only schedule three days of auditions for Fresh Tracks. 19. Who recommends artists for auditions? Can I invite these people to attend my performances? New York Live Arts invites five artists and arts professionals to recommend artists to audition for Fresh Tracks each year. The recommenders are chosen based on their history of regularly seeing a high volume of work in a Fresh Tracks Audition Page 5 of 6

6 variety of venues, boroughs, aesthetics, etc. The recommenders change every year and their names and contact info are not released publicly. Performance invitations cannot be forwarded to recommenders. Questions about the Program: 20. If I am selected for the program, am I required to attend the workshops? Do the performers in my piece get to take part in the residency? Choreographers selected for Fresh Tracks are required to take part in all residency activities in the fall and spring, including all workshops and Dialogues. Performers are only engaged for the auditions, rehearsals and performances. If you are not interested in the residency portion of the program, please do not request an audition. 21. If I do not live in New York City, can I still participate in the program? Yes. Fresh Tracks is open to all artists who meet the eligibility requirements and criteria stated in the guidelines. Every selected choreographer is required to attend all residency activities in the fall and spring. Keep in mind that if you reside outside of New York City, you will be responsible for all travel costs associated with attending the auditions, rehearsals, performances and residency activities. 22. Do I receive a fee if I am selected for the program? Yes. The six artists selected for the program will each receive a performance stipend and nine hours of rehearsal space in the fall, and will also receive a commission and 50 hours of studio space in the spring Fresh Tracks Audition Page 6 of 6