Mainstage, 2019

Dance performance opportunities

TransFoRM

Ready to light up the stage? We seek dancers who are ready to showcase their talents for TransFoRM in the Movement Research Festival (MoRF)! This is an invaluable opportunity to work under esteemed choreographers, collaborate with like-minded artists, and be part of a production of the highest caliber. Open to everyone!

Auditions: Sept. 10, 2023, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. in 1 hr slots in the Aux Gym (KNA 117)
Stay tuned for 2024 auditions.

How to audition
You can audition in 3 easy steps:

  1. Fill out the online registration form by Sept. 8, 2023 at 4:30 p.m.
  2. You may begin arriving at 1:15 p.m. for check-in. Check-in will close at 2:15 p.m.
    No latecomers will be admitted once an audition is underway.
  3. Receive a numbered pinney to help choreographers identify you throughout the audition.

Audition Schedule*
1:15PM - Check-In Opens
2:00PM - Group Warmup
2:30PM - Audition #1 - Rufi Oswaldo
3:00PM - Audition #2 - TBD
3:30PM - Audition #3 - Roma Thakore
4:00PM - Audition #4 - Zaria Zarifa Rajha and Mario Wahed Obeid
4:30PM - Audition Ends

*You do not have to participate in all auditions - only those you want to audition for; however, you must be checked-in by 2:15 p.m.

Choreographers
Rufi Oswaldo - Contemporary Dance
Roma Thakore - Bharatanatyam
Zaria Zarifa Rajha and Mario Wahed Obeid - Contemporary Dance
Abdul Kinyenya - Afro-Contemporary Fusion

There is no limit to the number of auditions you may attend, but please only attend those you seriously wish to be considered for. Warm-up space is available all day. You do not need to be a member of the University of Calgary to audition – dancers from across the city are welcome! Choreographers will make casting offers quickly that week and rehearsals start September. Dancers may perform in no more than two pieces.

Performance details
Dancers commit to all studio rehearsals, run-throughs, technical rehearsals, and performances.

  • Rehearsal Period: Sep. 15–Nov. 23 (10 weeks; 2 hr slots on Sundays)
  • Studio Showing: Oct. 28 from 6:30–9:30 p.m.
  • Tech Week: Nov. 25–30
  • Performance Dates: Nov. 24 & 25 at 8 p.m. in the University Theatre

About the show
As an integral component of the Movement Research Festival (MoRF), TransFoRM 2023 proudly showcases works by Calgary-based choreographers Mario Obeid and Zaria Rajha, Roma Thakore and Kala Bhavan of Calgary, Rufi Oswaldo, Michèle Moss and Kevin Fraser.

    TransFoRM FAQ

    Yes. People of every age, gender, and ability are welcome to audition. You do not need to be a UCalgary student to participate. Check the audition schedule for details to decide which auditions to attend (for example, some pieces are looking for dancers with specific experience, or just for men).

    Yes. Montage is geared toward an adult experience, but we do often have older teenagers participate as well. Be sure to have a parent or guardian available to sign your forms.

    No need to have anything prepared. Each choreographer may run their audition differently, so be open to the experience (for example they may teach a short phrase of choreography, ask everyone to improvise, or teach class material in their style of dance).

    Please don’t. The choreographers are taking time to consider each dancer, so it is respectful to reciprocate and only audition if you may be able to be cast. Don’t come for “free class” if you know you cannot make the rehearsal time. There are lots of other ways to experience a choreographer’s style on other days, like asking where they teach or come see the show.

    Maybe! Check the audition list for what the choreographer is looking for - many choreographers are looking for beginner or intermediate dancers who may be a little new to their style or new to dance!

    Congrats, but no. You may only accept up to two offers. Please make your choice quickly and let all choreographers know so they can fill out their cast with other dancers. Dance Montage is about community, and part of that is having room for many dancers to perform in the show.

    Dance@Noon, 2022

    Tim Nguyen

    Dance@Noon

    New voices and new works. Dance@Noon the choreographic and directorial debut of our dance students in their third semester of composition, through the live performance of students at all levels in the dance program.

    • Auditions: early September 2023
    • Performances: Dec. 4-6, 2023

    Mainstage Dance

    New works created by professional choreographers, working with students in Dance. This intensive artistic exchange affords students discovery and development as performers.

    • Auditions: October 20, 2023 from 04:00PM to 06:00PM in the Aux. Gym (KNA117)
    • Performances: March 14-16, 2024

    Dance@Night

    Dance@Night presents the summative choreographic and directorial work of our senior Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Dance students, through the live performance of students at all levels in the dance program.

    In addition to these pieces, the Dance Division’s graduating BFA cohort will be performing a new choreographic work by Calgary-based artist Kevin Shawn.

    • Auditions: early January 2024
    • Performances: April 5 & 6, 2024
    Mainstage 2019

    Perform in faculty dance companies

    Performance opportunities also exist in the companies of University of Calgary Dance faculty.

    Forcier Stage Works
    Marie France Forcier
    forcierstageworks.net

    kloetzel&co
    Melanie Kloetzel
    kloetzelandco.com

    W&M Physical Theatre
    Melissa Monteros & Wojciech Mochniej 
    wmdance.com

    Explore pre-professional activities

    WM2
    This program creates four paid apprenticeship positions for dancers who are nearing a professional level. The program strives to provide them with a ladder into the professional world by offering them challenges in the rehearsal process and opportunities to develop as performers. The Program is by invitation only. Interested dancers should contact the Artistic Director at mochniej@wmdance.com