CALL FOR DANCE MAKERS

Applications are open for Small Plates Choreography Festival, a series of two curated dance performances to be presented on November 13, 2026 and November 14, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. at Judson Memorial Church located at 55 Washington Square South, New York, NY

Dates
Performances - November 13, 2026 8:00 p.m. & November 14, 2026 8:00 p.m.
Technical Rehearsals: - November 12, 2026 - 12:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Application deadline: August 1, 2026

Notification: On or before September 1, 2026

Confirmation: within one week of acceptance

Programming

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 or reflect our times.

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.

We will not be presenting work with video projection elements. If your submission has a video in it, please let us know how you are planning to present the work without the video and any adjustments that will need to be made.

Accepted applicants are expected to perform the piece with which they applied with the same or similar cast and number of performers.

Venue
Judson Memorial Church located at 55 Washington Square South, New York, NY

The venue’s main event space (The Meeting Room at Judson Church) features a spacious 46’7” x 49’4” wood dance floor, with a maximum room occupancy of 300 people. The audience seating will be configured with rows of chairs on three sides with the majority of seating at the front (“downstage”). Performers will enter and exit the performing space through the audience from downstage. There are no wings or backstage area or other ways to enter and exit the stage.

The facility is ADA accessible, including elevator access to the third floor and accessible restroom facilities. Amenities include one drinking fountain, two multi-stall unisex restrooms, and two ADA-accessible bathrooms.

For more information about the venue, visit the application form at smallplatesdance.com/nyc

Technical Support

Choreographers will provide three lighting cues with basic looks (no specials) and any sound files relevant to their work within one week of acceptance. Technical rehearsals will take place on Thursday, November 12 between 12:00 noon and 9:00 p.m.. Each artist will be given 15-30 minutes for technical rehearsal. Call time is 5:00 p.m. on performance day.

Post-Performance Reception

Small Plates creates a growth environment by facilitating interface with the audience after each performance. 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 Video

Please submit a video link for the specific work you would like to present at Small Plates NYC. Applications without a video link will not be considered (please do not email the video). We adjudicate singular dance works to curate balanced and varied programs, therefore montage or an overview of a body of work will not be accepted. Studio footage is acceptable. Completed work will be given preference over work-in-progress.

If your piece exceeds our time limits, please edit it to show how you will alter the piece to fit within the time constraints. Also provide information about your costuming if you are not costumed in the video. Feel free to provide any information regarding the work within the application, and if you have any questions please email smallplatesdance@gmail.com.

Fees

There is a fee to apply.

$65 - for artists who have the means to pay the full fee as well as support others. 

$50 - for artists who have the means to pay the full fee. 

$35 - for artists without the means to pay the full fee.

Artists will be adjudicated independently of which fee they have paid. All fees collected will directly support the selected artists in their performance. Small Plates is completely self-funded and does not have funds available for fee waivers.

Adjudication

Entries will be adjudicated by experienced dance professionals from across the country, each specializing in different areas of the field. Our mission is to cultivate a unique and impactful performance experience for both artists and audiences. We evaluate every submission on its own merits, without consideration of prior participation in our festivals.

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 at least $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 August 1, 2026. You will be notified by email on or before September 1, 2026, 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/nyc and pay an application fee. Incomplete or unpaid applications will not be considered. 

For further information, or for assistance completing this form, please email smallplatesdance@gmail.com.