CALL FOR DANCE MAKERS

Applications are open for Small Plates Choreography Festival NOVA, a series of two curated dance performances to be presented in NORTHERN VIRGINIA on March 14, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. and March 15, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. at The Fredgren Studio Theatre, 3443 Carlin Springs Rd, Falls Church, VA 22041

Hosted by DanceArtTheater Presented by Small Plates Choreography Festival
Directed by Meredith Barnes and Beth McKee Elliott

Performances
March 14, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. 
March 15, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.

Application: smallplatesdance.com/nova

Deadline: December 1, 2025
Notification: On or before December 15, 2025
Confirmation: within one week of acceptance

Venue
The Fredgren Studio Theatre, 3443 Carlin Springs Rd, Falls Church, VA 22041

Fee: $50

Compensation: $100, Comp Ticket, Photo and Video Documentation

Small Plates invites applications from dance makers across all genres based in the U.S. We are particularly interested in distinctive, impactful dance works that respond to reflect the eclectic and diverse culture of the Northern Virginia region.

Dance works of any dance genre up to 10 minutes in length will be considered for inclusion in one of two performances. Large group pieces are acceptable, and student-choreographed work will be considered.

Venue

The Fredgren Studio Theater is located within BalletNova Center for Dance. It is a 50' x 27.5' proscenium-style performance space with 14' ceiling, wood sprung floor covered with marley flooring. The performance area is set with a traveler and legs and professional lighting. 

Tech

Technical rehearsals will take place on Friday, March 13 for local artists, and the day of the performance for out of town artists. Each artist will be given 15-20 minutes technical rehearsal. Tech rehearsals begin at 10:00 a.m. on performance day and call for all performers is two hours prior to showtime.

Post-Performance Reception

All performers and choreographers are expected to remain on-site after the performances to engage with the audience in dialogue about their work. Please consider this time with the audience and your fellow cast members as part of the performance when considering your travel needs.

Application

Applications accepted at smallplatesdance.com/nova. Please submit a video link for the work you would to present in your application. Montage videos cannot be adjudicated; we curate single dance works. Studio footage is acceptable. Completed work will be given preference over work-in-progress.

Fees

An application fee of $50.00 per piece is required. Your fee must be paid via Paypal before your work will be considered. All fees collected will directly support the selected artists in their performance.

*We do not have funds available for fee waivers.*

Adjudication

Entries will be adjudicated by career dance professionals from around the country that specialize in various areas in the field. Our mission is to create an impactful environment for artists and audiences and each submission is carefully considered. Programming decisions will weigh the opinions of the adjudicators alongside other factors, including balancing the program between local and traveling artists. 

Compensation

Choreographers who have their work chosen will be responsible for their own travel and accommodations and will be supported with a per-company stipend of $100. Choreographers will receive one complimentary ticket to the performance in which their work appears and will be given a video and photographs of their performance after the show.

Small Plates is not able to assist international choreographers in obtaining visas and we will only be considering work from US-based artists.

Dates

The deadline to apply is December 1, 2025. Notified is by email on or before December 15, with our decision of acceptance or rejection. If your piece is accepted, you will have one week after you receive our acceptance email to submit your program information, technical information, publicity photos, and sound file.

To apply, please complete the entire form at smallplatesdance.com/nova

For further information, please visit smallplatesdance.com and email smallplatesdance@gmail.com with any questions.