The Walker Art Center and guest curator Darrius Strong are seeking Minnesota dancemakers working in all forms to present their work as part of Choreographers’ Evening, on Saturday, November 25, 2023.
Now celebrating its 51st year, this annual dance showcase celebrates Minnesota’s vibrant and diverse dance community with powerful performances by a roster of local choreographers and movement artists. This year’s program is curated by dancer, choreographer, educator, and 2021 McKnight Fellow Darrius Strong.
Note from the Curator
I’m honored to curate the 51st anniversary of Choreographers’ Evening, celebrating five decades of dance at the Walker Art Center. Join us as we showcase the exceptional talent of independent choreographers and their unique stories. I invite all storytellers and dancemakers to share their light. Consider the stories you want to tell, your innovative movement, and the impact you hope to make through your lens of choreography. Let’s create something special together! —Darrius Strong
About the Curator
Darrius Strong is a highly accomplished choreographer, dancer, and educator based in the Twin Cities. His creative work has garnered recognition and been featured at the Walker and other venues as well as in programs such as Choreographers’ Evening and Rhythmically Speaking. As the founder and artistic director of STRONGmovement and the director of the hip-hop program at Eleve Performing Arts Center, Strong continues to push boundaries and inspire others through his innovative approach to movement.
Strong’s work has been featured in the 2015 New Griots Festival and on a billboard in New York City’s Times Square in 2016. In 2017, he received the Momentum New Works recipient award, acknowledging his outstanding contributions to the field. He has served as the movement director for the Guthrie Theater and Ten Thousand Things Theater, and has created works for dance companies including Threads Dance Project, Flying Foot Forum, Alternative Motion Projects, TU Dance, and James Sewell Ballet. Additionally, Strong has dedicated the past seven years to bringing hip-hop knowledge and technique to Anoka Middle School for the Arts, making a significant impact on the next generation of dancers.
Beyond the realm of dance, Strong has made his mark as a movement director for musicians. He has collaborated with bands such as Noneabove and has provided movement direction for groups performing at prestigious galas and other events.
Recognized for his artistic excellence, Strong is a recipient of the 2019 Jerome Hill Fellowship and the 2021 McKnight Fellowship for Choreographers, celebrating and solidifying his position as a trailblazer in the dance community.
Audition Information
• Choreographers must live in Minnesota.
• Works typically range from three to six minutes in length and should not exceed seven minutes.
• Collaborations and ensembles are welcome to audition.
• Works-in-progress are accepted. This can include a live sketch, video viewing at audition, images, fabrics, or other materials to communicate the work in its completion.
• Live auditions are preferred; however, video submissions will be accepted.
• Please audition with the same work that you would like to present.
Participation Requirements
• Two-hour group photo shoot in mid- to late September or early October. (Date/time to be determined once artists are selected, based on everyone’s availability.)
• One-hour technical rehearsal with full company on Monday, November 20, or Tuesday, November 21, between 12 noon–10 pm. Individual dates and time to be determined.
• Dress rehearsal, starting at 10 am, staying through performances at 4 pm and 7 pm, on Saturday, November 25, 2023.
Important Dates
• August 17, 2023: Deadline to request a time slot for in-person auditions; Deadline to submit video audition submissions
• August 24, 2023: In-person auditions from 3–9:30 pm
• August 25, 2023: In-person auditions from 3–9:30 pm
• August 26, 2023: In-person auditions from 11 am–5:30 pm
• Mid-September 2023: Artists notified of final decisions
• September/October 2023: Group photo shoot (schedule to be determined)
• November 20–21, 2023: Tech rehearsals, between 12 noon and 10 pm (schedule to be determined)
• November 25, 2023: Arrive 10 am; Dress rehearsal at 12 noon; Public performances at 4 and 7 pm
Technical Support
For details on the tech support provided to artists for the in-person auditions and performance event, please review the Tech Support Guidelines 2023.
Artist Fee
Each selected artist/artist group will receive a guaranteed fee of $800 for their participation.
Audition in Person
• To sign-up for an in-person audition time slot, please click here and submit this In-Person Audition Form by Thursday, August 17, 11:59 pm.
• Sign-up for an audition time slot is on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Auditions are held in 15-minute intervals.
• Live auditions are preferred; however, video submissions will be accepted.
• Masking is encouraged in public spaces and inside the theater, except when you are auditioning.
• Artists will be notified of final decisions from the curators by mid-September.
Live Auditions dates:
• Thursday, August 24, 3–5 pm, 6:30–9:30 pm
• Friday, August 25, 3–5 pm, 6:30–9:30 pm
• Saturday, August 26, 11 am–1 pm, 2:30–5:30 pm
Location:
McGuire TheaterWalker Art Center725 Vineland PlaceMinneapolis, MN 55403
Audition by Video
• To send a video of your work, please submit this Video Audition Form by Thursday, August 17, 11:59 pm.
• Video submissions must provide a URL link and passcode, if protected.
• Videos will be viewed up to 10 minutes. Please include start and end times, if the video is longer.
• Artists will be notified of final decisions from the curators by mid-September.
Contact
For more information about the auditions, please contact Darrius Strong at performingarts@walkerart.org. Additional questions about the auditions or accessibility can be directed to Julie Voigt at julie.voigt@walkerart.org.