JUN 16 to JUN 26 / 2026
A creative experience for professional dancers 21+ to see and be seen
MOVE MORE + MAKE MOVES
NW Dance Project offers a unique, creative, and enriching two-week residency designed for professional-level dancers (21+) seeking to immerse themselves in creative processes with leading international contemporary choreographers and other dance artists, teachers, and mentors.
Under the mentorship of Artistic Director Sarah Slipper, MOVE is conceived as a way to help dancers move, create, and connect with choreographers and other dancers, be inspired, and activate their artistic and physical practices in a spacious and stimulating environment. Dancers can develop and discover their unique creative voice and offer an opportunity to see and be seen.
MOVE brings artists together into an immersive company environment to MAKE creative work while being mentored to push and develop their curiosity, creativity, versatility, and capabilities with maximum concentration and focus.
Each day begins with a professional-level technique class before transitioning into research workshops and choreographic development sessions. The residency will close with public ticketed showings on the final day.
We are looking for dancers who have an extensive background in ballet and contemporary dance training, are curious, open, and seeking an artistic endeavor.
Participation in MOVE is very limited in capacity so dancers and choreographers can connect and collaborate as a unified company of artists.
Project Residency Schedule
TUE JUN 16 to FRI JUN 26 / 2026
Dancers 21+
9:15AM to 6:00PM (includes SAT JUN 20)
2026 Project Fee - $TBA
MOVE Choreographers
Our MOVE 2026 Choreographers will be announced soon!
To date, twelve dancers have received company contracts from their participation in MOVE.
AUDITIONS
Priority acceptance is given to those dancers attending a LIVE audition.
There are two ways to apply / audition for MOVE.
– Attend a LIVE audition
– Submit a VIDEO application
Dancers that participated in MOVE in the past two years (2024 or 2025) do not need to attend an audition to be considered for acceptance. Please register for "MOVE Previous Attendee Application" and upload your current resume, headshot, and dance shot.
Prior to our Portland audition, dancers are encouraged to participate in our Company Repertoire Workshop JAN 7 to 9 / 2026 in Portland, OR.
LIVE AUDITION CITIES
PORTLAND OR
JAN 10 / 2026
12:15PM to 2:15PM
NW Dance Project Creative Center
211 NE 10th Ave
Portland OR 97232
NEW YORK NY
JAN 17 / 2026
10:00AM to 12:00PM
NY City Center
130 W 56th St
New York NY 10019
LOS ANGELES CA
JAN 31 / 2026
2:00 to 4:00PM
Stomping Ground LA
5453 Alhambra Ave
Los Angeles CA 90032
LIVE AUDITION REGISTRATION
Pre-registration is required for all auditions. Registration closes 24 hours prior to each audition date. No in-person registration on day of audition.
Please be prepared to upload audition materials at the time of registration:
– résumé
– headshot photo
– full body dance photo
There is limited capacity for auditions. We recommend registering early.
Acceptance into MOVE is highly competitive, due to the nature of the project. Dancers not accepted into MOVE will automatically be considered for acceptance into Summer Dance Platform.
Audition results will be sent by email within one to two weeks following the audition. Accepted dancers are required to confirm their spot and submit their deposit by the deadline in their acceptance notification.
We will have a waitlist for dancers not immediately accepted into MOVE. Accepted applicants who have not submitted their deposit will have their place offered to dancers on the waiting list.
All dancers must be at least age 21 by JUN 16 / 2026. No exceptions will be made.
Audition fees are non-refundable.
VIDEO APPLICATION
Priority acceptance is given to those dancers attending a LIVE audition.
Video Application Deadline / FEB 13
Please be prepared to upload the following application materials:
– résumé
– headshot photo
– full body dance photo
– 4 video links (Vimeo preferred)
Video footage should be of clear viewing quality and shot as recent as possible prior to submission. Videos should not exceed 7 minutes in length total (including all 4 links).
Required links:
Introduction Link - Please video yourself answering the following questions:
- What is your full name?
- Where are you at in your professional career?
- Why are you interested in auditioning for NW Dance Project's MOVE?
Ballet Link – Each combination should be a minimum of 32 counts and demonstrated on the dancer's right and left side.
Ballet Barre:
- Tendu
- Rond de Jambe + Fondu
- Grand Battement
Center Floor Work
- Adagio
- Pirouettes
- Petit Allegro
- Grand Allegro
Contemporary Link – 3 minutes of contemporary choreography (demonstrating partnering is a plus)
Improvisation Link – 1-minute improvised solo in silence
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
- Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
- Video links can be Vimeo or YouTube. Vimeo is preferred.
- We recommend applying early as we have limited capacity and are prioritizing applicants on a rolling basis.
MOVE SHOWING
Friday, JUN 26 / 2026
MOVE culminates in public showings featuring the original work choreographed during the residency. This is a ticketed event held at NW Dance Project's Creative Center.
NW Dance Project Creative Center
211 NE 10th Ave
Portland OR 97232
Accommodations
Housing accommodations are possible subject to interest. PLEASE INQUIRE if you are interested in Portland State University sponsored housing.
