Tour Ready Lab (TRL) is a professional development program for performing artists and companies looking to expand the reach of their work outside their home communities. Offering two distinct tracks, artists work alongside a cohort of peers with shared goals to engage in a 5-month curriculum designed to support performing artists navigating the booking and touring field. Through TRL, participants will increase their knowledge and confidence to cultivate relationships that lead to touring opportunities, refine their essential tour marketing assets, learn how to maximize the booking conference experience, and examine alternative ways of getting their work seen.

Applications are due July 27 by 6pm ET. Apply here.

Program Details

-> FULL PROGRAM INFO HERE <-

There are two ways to take part in Tour Ready Lab; in the Showcase Track, or the Development Track.

THE DEVELOPMENT TRACK OFFERS:

• Attend 4 interactive seminars focusing on tour readiness led by dance booking experts including:
– Session #1: Presenter Research and Cultivation, Crafting Your Showcase, Preparing Tour Materials
– Session #2: Arts Conferencing as a Touring Tool
– Session #3: Pitch Practice with a Presenter and a Booking Agent
– Session #4: Thinking Outside the Touring Box – Alternative and Non-Traditional Ways of Getting Your Work Seen
• Receive direct individualized feedback on how to refine digital assets needed for touring (e.g., EPKs, tech riders, video samples, tour budgets) via 4 virtual Office Hours
• Forge a peer supported network – Build relationships and engage with an intimate cohort of artists and arts workers with similar goals
• Learn how to prepare for a booking conference and make the most of sessions, activities, and gatherings that APAP offers
• Attend in-person meet-ups and events during APAP weekend with the other participants
• Gain insight into how to utilize the APAP attendee list to target, contact, and form ongoing relationships with presenters

THE SHOWCASE TRACK OFFERS THE ABOVE, PLUS:

• Perform in a Counterpart-produced APAP 2027 showcase at Ailey Citigroup Theatre or New York City Center Studios as "Tour Ready Lab Artists”. Counterpart is a member of the prominent Dance Managers Collective (DMC), which produces APAP showcases in these venues each year.
• Be included in APAP-related showcase marketing support:
– "Tour Ready Lab Artist" Postcard – Included in Counterpart’s Joint Mailing in which presenters attending APAP receive postcards directly. Postcards are also available for artists to distribute at the conference
– APAP listing on the official APAP website, app, and online calendar
– Dedicated artist webpage and calendar event on the DMC website
– RSVP coordination and distribution
• Receive a list of the presenters who attended their showcase to use for personal follow-up
• Have the option to be mentored by an artist from the 2026 TRL cohort

Cost to Participate

Applying to the program is free. If selected, participant is responsible for the following costs:

$2,000 – Showcase Track at Ailey Citigroup Theater
$1,500 – Showcase Track at New York City Center Studios, Studio 5
$500 – Development Track

Counterpart has space for 10 artists to showcase at Ailey, 4 artists to showcase at NYCC5, and 15 artists to participate in the Development Track. Applicants select their preferred participation option in the application.

Artists participating in the Showcase Track of Tour Ready Lab will be required to; 1) become a member of APAP, and 2) register for the APAP conference in order to gain access to all APAP events, seminars, showcases, and entrance to the expo hall

Artists participating in the Development Track will not be required to attend the APAP conference and become an APAP member, but it is encouraged for those who seek to fully participate in the TRL experience.

The costs of APAP membership and conference registration are not included in the Tour Ready Lab fee, but participants will be able to take advantage of any discounts that Counterpart is able to obtain. Visit the APAP website for more info.