Open Call to Dance Students & Graduates

Are you in the final year of your dance course?

Or have you just graduated from your Dance or Performing Arts College?

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO BE PART OF THE LAOIS DANCE PLATFORM!

LAOIS DANCE PLATFORM (LDP) is a dance event funded by the Arts Council, hosted by the Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise and Laois Youth Dance Ensemble, aimed to showcase an array of talented young dancers alongside dance professionals, serving to connect the Laois community and develop our dance audience.

In its 5th edition, Laois Dance Platform 2017 is delighted to extend the programme and invite two talented dancers to develop their skills, perform and share with other young dancers, as well as national and international dance professionals.

We are seeking applications from inspiring young graduate dancers (who will graduate in summer 2017) or who have recently graduated from any institution of dance or performing arts. Applicants from outside Ireland must cover their own flight expenses.*

We will offer:

• Opportunity to perform (solo of max. 7 minutes) as part of the Laois Dance Platform evening performance on Saturday 11 March, 7pm at Dunamaise Arts Centre.
• Dance Workshops with Liadian Herriot (IRL), Sodapop and Christine Jeanville (FRA).
• Self Catering Accommodation and meals will also be provided.
• * A contribution to transportation expenses of €100 will be granted to the two chosen dancers.

Participants must commit to attend the Festival from 9th – 12th of March inclusive.

Laois Dance Platform Programme:

Thursday 9^th March:        Dance Forum – ‘How can we better develop dance in small towns across Ireland’?

                                                Guest speaker: John Scott (Irish Modern Theatre)and others!

                                                Drinks Reception & Networking event

Friday 10^th March:            Liadian Herriott morning performances in Portlaoise Library for primary schools

Liadian Herriott workshop, 6pm in Dunamaise Arts Centre

Saturday 11^th March:      Evening Performance, 7pm

Featuring performances by: Sodapop and Christine Jeanville (FRA), Liadian Herriot (IRE), Laois Youth Dance Ensemble, Company B and Dublin Youth Dance Company

And selected graduate dancers

Sunday 12^th March:         Dance workshops with Christine Jeanville (Contemporary, Ballet)

and Sodapop Jeanville (Hip Hop)

Application process: Only applications with all the requested information will be assessed:

• A good quality web link of recent dance footage
• A cover letter describing why you would like to be part of the event, specifying your availability for 9th – 12th of March 2017.
• CV or biography

Deadline: Please e-mail applications by 5pm, Friday 10th February 2017 to info@laoisdanceplatform.ie with ‘Laois Dance Platform Application’ in the subject line.

Two dancers will be selected and notified by email by Friday 17th February.

For any questions about the event and application process, please contact Erica Borges at info@laoisdanceplatform.ie or 087-1328852.