WHAT DOES DLNY DO?
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.
WHAT MAKES DLNY UNIQUE?
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.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
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.
WHAT TYPES OF CHOREOGRAPHERS ARE GIVEN GRANTS FROM DLNY?
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 CHOREOGRAPHERS page to see the full roster of dance makers who have utilized the services of the lab.
HOW DO I APPLY TO BE A CHOREOGRAPHER IN THE LAB?
To apply for our Lab Cycle, please visit our LAB CYCLE page and click Apply.
To apply for our Nexus Labs, please visit our NEXUS LAB page and click Apply.
To apply for our Connect Mentorship Program, please visit our DLNY CONNECT page and click Apply.
To apply for our NextGen Apprenticeship, please visit our DLNY NEXTGEN page and click Apply.
To apply for our Broadway Choreography Intensive, please visit our CHOREOGRAPHY INTENSIVE page and click Apply.
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 DANCER application page. For dancers ages 14-18 interested in dancing with our NEXTGEN YOUTH COMPANY, click here.
HOW ARE DANCERS CHOSEN FOR EACH LAB CYCLE?
WHERE IS DLNY LOCATED?
DLNY currently rents large, pole-free spaces from independently owned facilities throughout New York City. Current studios include: NY City Center, Martha Graham Studios, Paul Taylor Studios, National Dance Institute, Baryshnikov Arts Center, Mark Morris Dance Studios, and more. We are actively working to secure our own home. Watch this space!
WHAT IS DLNY CONNECT?
DLNY Connect is our exciting mentorship program in which emerging choreographers receive support from an expert in the field, as well as generous development time with a company of student dancers at either Pace University or the Institute for American Musical Theatre. DLNY plans to expand this programming by partnering with more university dance programs in New York and beyond in order to serve more emerging choreographers annually. To find out more or to apply please visit our DLNY CONNECT APPLICATION page.
WHAT IS DLNY NEXTGEN?
DLNY NextGen is designed to help young choreographers, 18 and under, unleash their creative potential by providing them with robust guidance from professionals in the field. Our DLNY NextGen Apprenticeship is an individualized semester-long apprenticeship with our resident mentor, culminating in a Lab residency with a professional youth dance company. To find out more or to apply, please visit our DLNY NEXTGEN page. You can also apply to dance with our NextGen Youth Company here.
Our Broadway Choreography Intensive is a one-of-a-kind program in which students, ages 18-29, are granted unparalleled access to a faculty of working professionals on Broadway. Students participate in one-of-a-kind daily lectures, styles classes, and choreography workshops. The Choreography Intensive may culminate in a friends and family showing of the work created. To find out more or apply visit our CHOREOGRAPHY INTENSIVE page.
WHAT IS THE BROADWAY CHOREOGRAPHY INTENSIVE?
CAN DLNY HELP ME INCUBATE MOVEMENT FOR MY MUSICAL?
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 non-profit organization, DLNY relies on the generosity grants and arts patronage. For information on how you can help DLNY fulfill its singular mission, please email Megan Callaghan at mcallaghan@dancelabny.org or visit our DONATE page.