McCallum Theatre’s 17th Choreography Fest

The McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, California will once again host its Choreography Festival this November 8 and 9. Now in its 17th year, the festival is a competition that awards select choreographers a free chance to present their work as well as the chance to win monetary prizes. Submissions to present work in the 2014 Choreography Festival are due Tuesday, April 15.

The festival, which was founded by choreographer Shea New, has grown tremendously in size, respect and support, in part due to the stellar talent that it has attracted. It began as a joint effort between the College of the Desert and the City of Palm Desert, with the McCallum Theatre Institute, the education division of the McCallum Theatre of the Performing Arts, lending its support in the second year. The idea of the festival grew out of the need to provide emerging choreographers with support and opportunities to showcase their art. In 2002, the festival was fully incorporated as a McCallum Theatre Institute Program and has since expanded its reach with a number of dynamic community projects.

The participating choreographers have the chance to be awarded significant monetary prizes. For Division I, the highest level meant for choreographers working with professional dancers, choreographers can win a $10,000 Grand Prize, a $3,000 Second Place Prize or the Dance Under The Stars Award, which offers a paid engagement. Division I choreographers present their work Saturday, November 8 at 7 p.m. All finalists receive some form of a cash prize, anywhere from $500 for a solo to $1,250 for an ensemble.

For Division II, the second level meant for choreographers working with dancers at a pre-professional level, choreographers can win a $3,000 Grand Prize, a $1,000 Second Place Prize or a $300 Junior Choreographer Award (for choreographers age 18 and under.) Division II choreographers present their work Sunday, November 9 at 4 p.m. All Division II finalists also receive some form of a cash prize, anywhere from $250 for a solo to $625 for an ensemble.

To learn what the festival submission requirements are, visit www.mccallumtheatre.com. For choreographers that submit their choreography by April 1 it only costs $60 per piece. If they wait till the deadline on April 15, submissions cost $80 per piece.

Photo: Lauren Edson + Dancers in Lauren Edson’s I Hit the Ground at McCallum Theatre’s 2013 Choreography Festival. The work won the 2013 Division I Paid Engagement Award. Photo by Jack Hartin.