JUN 15 to JUN 25 / 2027
A creative experience for professional dancers 21+
MOVE MORE + MAKE MOVES
MOVE 2027 AUDITION APPLICATIONS OPEN NOV 6 / 2026
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 offers an opportunity to see and be seen by our Artistic Director and guest choreographers.
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 with guest choreographers. 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.
To date (since 2021), twelve dancers have received company contracts from their participation in MOVE. MOVE dancers are also considered for ANNEX (second company) 2027/28 season.
Guest Choreographers
2027 GUEST CHOREOGRAPHERS TBA
2026
MIKE TYUS
AKIRA UCHIDA
2025
JAMES GREGG
REBECCA MARGOLICK
2024
NICOLE VON ARX
ETHAN COLANGELO
SCHEDULE AND FEE
PROJECT RESIDENCY SCHEDULE
TUE JUN 15 to FRI JUN 25 / 2027
Dancers 21+
9:15AM to 6:00PM (includes SAT JUN 19)
Residency held at our Creative Center's spacious state-of-the-art light-filled studios.
2027 Project Fee TBA
MOVE SHOWING
FRI JUN 25 / 2027
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.
AUDITIONS
Dancers apply to MOVE by attending a live audition. Video auditions are available by special request only. Priority acceptance is given to dancers who attend a LIVE audition.
Dancers that participated in MOVE in the past two years (2025 or 2026) 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 6 to 8 / 2027 in Portland, OR.
LIVE AUDITION CITIES
PORTLAND OR
JAN 9 / 2027
12:00PM to 2:00PM
NW Dance Project Creative Center
211 NE 10th Ave
Portland OR 97232
NEW YORK NY
JAN 30 / 2027
10:00AM to 12:00PM
NY City Center
130 W 56th St
New York NY 10019
LOS ANGELES CA
FEB 6 / 2027
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 15 / 2027. No exceptions will be made.
Audition fees are non-refundable.
ACCOMODATIONS
Housing accommodations are possible subject to interest. PLEASE INQUIRE if you are interested in Portland State University sponsored housing.
