Join us for THE DANCE LAB HONORS on March 24th // LEARN MORE
Join us for THE DANCE LAB HONORS on March 24th // LEARN MORE
In order to create, a choreographer needs dancers, space, and time—three essential elements that are prohibitively expensive. As a result, even seasoned dance makers are prevented from crafting new work, to say nothing of emerging choreographers. This reality is leaving so many promising choreographers without the means to advance their art. Founded in 2012 by Broadway choreographer Josh Prince, Dance Lab New York (DLNY) exists to provide choreographers the space and time they need to experiment with new ideas, away from the looming pressures commonly associated with creation, commissions, performance, and commercial production.
DLNY is the only independent organization whose sole mission is to support choreographic incubation and invention. At DLNY, no idea is off-limits and the grant comes with no strings attached. DLNY also offers a mentoring program and a summer intensive for both emerging and aspiring choreographers.
The core program of DLNY is The Lab Cycle – a creative period in which a varied cohort of choreographers are each given one week of free incubative time in large pole-free space with a company of professional dancers – assembled and curated by Founding Artistic Director, Josh Prince, or a Resident Director from the genre. Dancers are secured with contracts, competitive salaries, worker’s compensation, and unemployment insurance. Choreographers are also provided with a Rehearsal Director to oversee the daily workings of the room and relieve them of unnecessary administrative stresses.
DLNY recognizes that most of today’s choreographers are independent contractors who wish to work in a wide variety of mediums. Dance Lab New York invites individual artists wishing to push their boundaries to come explore, test, incubate, and experiment with new ideas utilizing tools perhaps never before afforded them. We aim to nurture the choreographic voices of the future by providing a pressure-free environment in which creative thinking can thrive. Please visit our LAB STORIES page to see the full roster of dancemakers who have utilized the services of the lab.
To apply for a Lab Cycle or any of our Programs, please visit our APPLY page.
A unique, highly trained dance company is hired for each Lab Cycle. We utilize a casting director – Jason Styres, CSA – and also hold open calls to search for new talent.
To apply to DLNY as a dancer please visit our DANCERS section of the APPLY page or click here. For dancers ages 14-18 interested in dancing with our NEXTGEN YOUTH COMPANY, click here.
Dance Lab New York is located in the heart of midtown Manhattan at 307 West 38th Street, Dance Lab Studios features a stunning double-height, 80’ x 35’ studio with a sprung floor that can be divided into two large spaces.
Absolutely! DLNY does offer incubative space for Musical Theater but focuses solely on the dance elements. There is no singing or acting in the Lab. Please visit our BESPOKE page for more information on how DLNY can tailor a cycle to your needs.
As a 501(c)3 organizations, DLNY is funded by institutional and government grants as well as by the generosity of individual donors.
For information on how you can help DLNY fulfill its singular mission, please email Julia Glawe at jglawe@dancelabny.org or visit our SUPPORT page.
