In collaboration between the NYC-based L'Alliance and l'Institut Français, the Tunisian choreographer Hamdi Trabelsi invites two professional dancers to take part in an international creation and performance opportunity in NYC, for five weeks between June and August 2026 with rehearsals for six hours per day, Monday-Friday.

This creation process will culminate in the world premiere of BLOOM - a contemporary dance creation inspired by the evolving role of women throughout history and across borders. The piece revisits the historic gesture of Tunisian President Habib Bourguiba in 1966, when he publicly removed the traditional veil—the sefseri—from a woman. From then on, the work unfolds through the eyes of four women from different countries and diverse backgrounds who identify in each other a global reference point for diligence, vulnerability, and bravery. 

In addition to two performance opportunities staged in NYC, the residency will involve potential in-progress public showings with university dance departments, as well as the production of a short documentary film during the final week of the creative process, aiming to highlight the richness of this cultural exchange.

Selected dancers will receive compensation for their participation in the residency.

Profile sought:  

We are looking for professional performers with the following skills and qualities:

Solid experience in contemporary and/or modern dance

Strong physical commitment and good technical skills

Interest in a collaborative creative process

Curiosity for cultural exchange and artistic dialogue

Aptitude and enthusiasm for improvisation

Openness to experimentation and new artistic approaches

Availability to work as part of a group in NYC for the duration of the residency hours

The ability to learn and perform choreography and interest to participate in cross-cultural collaboration is essential. Background in breakdance, contemporary, heels, folkloric dance, and/or overall passion for the performance experience is favored. In accordance with the artist’s vision to cast contemporary dance artists in the US with a particular focus on fostering multicultural artistic exchange, qualified performers of African nationality living in or near NYC are preferred.

Apply: https://forms.gle/CmG2TaKbAZgwNNhy6