Gibney Announces Professional Certificate Program For Dance Artists

Gibney, the New York City-based dance and social justice organization announces Gibney PRO, an intensive professional certificate program designed to support and strengthen diverse career paths for dance artists. Gibney PRO will launch with a three-month pilot program September 12 through December 18, 2022, with a full, yearlong program planned for 2023. Based at Gibney Center in downtown Manhattan, Gibney PRO was designed and developed by Gibney Company Advisor and Senior Director of Training Alexandra Wells and will be co-led with Gibney Company Rehearsal Director and Curatorial Director of Training Gilbert T Small II.

The applications are now open for Gibney PRO's pilot program. The initial class will consist of 24 dancers, selected through a rigorous audition process. All applicants must be 18 years of age or older by the start of the program. Applications and additional eligibility requirements can be found at gibneydance.org/PRO.

"The announcement of Gibney PRO signals the next phase of Gibney Center's growth and commitment to holistic and innovative dance education," says Gina Gibney, Founder, CEO, and Artistic Director of Gibney. "This new program developed by Alexandra Wells will significantly expand our training offerings and will provide dancers with the opportunity to further their professional development while learning from Gibney Company leadership, Artistic Associates and guest artists."

"To succeed in today's climate, dance artists are expected to be versatile collaborators with extraordinary technical capacities," says Wells. "Gibney PRO will equip emerging dance artists with skills, resources, and experiences tailored to their interests and empower them to lead our field forward."

Gibney PRO is designed to prepare emerging dance artists to thrive in today's continuously evolving environment and will focus on the development of sustainable career practices through its commitment to process, collaboration, agency, mentorship, problem-solving, equity, and inclusion. Through a series of immersive creative processes, dancers will be equipped with the strategies to flourish as adaptable artists in a multitude of career paths, from full-time company positions to freelance pursuits.

The curriculum will be centered around creative process and will feature guest choreographers Elia Mrak, Laja Field, and Gibney Company Choreographic Associate Rena Butler in a collaborative process with Maleek Washington; classes in technique, somatics, and professional development; personalized mentorship; and close connection with the artists and leadership of Gibney Company. Technique classes offered will include ballet, contemporary, Countertechnique, Flying Low, IMAGE TECH, Improvisation, Gaga, Qi Gong and Street/Club style.

Dancers will have daily access to studio space for creative exploration and choreographic development and each semester will include three studio showings followed by feedback sessions with Gibney Company Artistic Associates. Culminating end-of-semester performances at Gibney's Agnes Varis Performing Arts Center will gather industry professionals, directors, management, friends, and family members.

An essential component of the program is its collaborative engagement with Gibney Company, a new creation based contemporary dance company. Participants will connect with the Company's Leadership and Artistic Associates through weekly classes and professional mentoring; informal showings and dialogue with Gibney Company around participants' creative projects; regular observation of Gibney Company rehearsals; opportunities to attend Gibney Company performances; professional development workshops with Gina Gibney and Company Directors; and invitations to participate in future Gibney Company auditions.

For more information on Gibney PRO, please contact Director of Training, Jessie Kardos at jessiek@gibneydance.org. Information about the 2023 Gibney PRO program will be announced at a later date.

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