Application for ballet Co.Laboratory’s emerging choreographer program

Every year, Ballet Co.Laboratory asks an emerging choreographer to draw inspiration from a children's book to create a story ballet for young audiences. The selected choreographer works alongside the Ballet Co.Laboratory artistic team in selecting the music, designing scenic elements, creating costumes, and casting roles.

Choreographers applying to this program are encouraged to think critically about how ballet can continue to evolve in becoming more inclusive and forward-thinking. Rather than create a piece that is simply based on movement, artists are asked to create a production with a storyline that sparks the imagination and challenges the audiences' perception of what ballet is.

All applicants must live in Minnesota, have had formal ballet training, and consider themselves to be an emerging choreographer.

GENERAL PROGRAM OVERVIEW

MAY
Choreographer Applications due

JUNE
Applicants moving on to the next round (in-person interviews) will be notified and asked for an Artist Interview

JULY
Laboratory II Emerging Choreographer announced with Season Announcement

JULY - AUGUST
Preliminary meetings with BCL Production Team

OCTOBER
Choreographer meets with BCL Artistic Director, Managing Director, and Communications Manager to discuss the concept of work for and PR/marketing

NOVEMBER
Choreographer observes classes in The School of Ballet Co.Laboratory to become acquainted with cast

DECEMBER
Choreographer meets with BCL Production Team to finalize designs

JANUARY - MARCH
Choreographer leads rehearsals with dancers weekly

FEBRUARY
- Choreographer meets with BCL Artistic Director, Production Stage Manager, and Lighting Designer to discuss staging and lighting of work
- Press coverage and interviews for production

MARCH
- Tech and Performance weeks(s)
- Post-production meeting with BCL Artistic Director, Managing Director, School Manager, Production Stage Manager, Costume Manager, and Set Designer