The Joffrey Ballet Seeks Artists for 7th Annual Winning Works Choreographic Competition

The Joffrey Academy of Dance, Official School of The Joffrey Ballet, announces a national call for ALAANA (African, Latino(a), Asian, Arab and Native American) artists to submit applications for The Joffrey Academy's Seventh Annual Winning Works Choreographic Competition. The goal of the award is to recognize talented and emerging ALAANA choreographers whose unique perspective will ignite creativity in the form of original works of dance. The deadline for application is October 1, 2016.

The winning choreographers will be awarded a $5,000 stipend and given a minimum of 30 rehearsal hours. The choreographic work must be original and developed by the applicant and the finished piece must be a minimum of 10 minutes and maximum of 12 minutes long. They will set their piece on the members of the Joffrey Academy Trainee Program and the Joffrey Studio Company and have the opportunity to seek guidance from Joffrey Artistic Director Ashley Wheater.

This year, the Joffrey is celebrating the centennial of Pulitzer Prize winning poet Gwendolyn Brooks. If desired, choreographers are welcome to use the Chicago icon as an inspiration for their work.

To apply, interested choreographers must submit the following by mail or email: DVD or video clip with a five-minute or less excerpt of their choreography with a brief written description, a letter of intent describing interest in the competition and the kind of work that will be created in 500-1,000 words, headshot, curriculum vitae, and application form available on-line at joffrey.org/winningworks with three references. The completed applications can be sent to The Joffrey Ballet Attention: Winning Works Selection Committee 10 East Randolph Street Chicago IL 60601 or emailed to winningworks@joffrey.org.

The Joffrey Studio Company is a scholarship program of the Joffrey Academy of Dance, Official School of The Joffrey Ballet. The Joffrey Studio Company consists of 10 outstanding students selected by Joffrey Artistic Director Ashley Wheater. The Joffrey Studio Company and Trainees have performed on some of the most prestigious stages, including Lincoln Center in NY, the Auditorium Theatre, Harris Theater for Music and Dance, Cadillac Palace Theatre and MCA Stage in Chicago, Music Hall in LA, The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. and more. The individualized training and performance opportunities provided by the Joffrey Studio Company offers students unique insight into the life of a professional dancer, assisting students in preparation for a professional career in dance and helping them expand their technique and artistry.

The Joffrey Academy Trainee Program is a one to two year program for students ages 17 and older who are preparing for a professional dance career. Students are selected to participate in the Trainee Program by invitation from Artistic Director Ashley Wheater and the Head of the Studio Company and Trainee Program. This esteemed and rigorous program gives students a unique and well-rounded experience to prepare them for the next step in their careers. Trainees rehearse and perform classical and contemporary works from The Joffrey Ballet's extensive repertoire and have the opportunity to work with guest choreographers throughout the year. Graduates of the Academy have gone on to dance professionally with companies throughout the world including The Joffrey Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, Staatsballett Berlin, Dresden Semperoper, Complexions, Milwaukee Ballet, Memphis Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, BalletMet, Polish National Ballet, Slovak National Ballet, and many more.

For more information on the Joffrey Academy of Dance, Official School of The Joffrey Ballet and its programs, visit joffrey.org/academy.

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