Cleveland Dance Fest 2025

10TH ANNIVERSARY

Supporting Artists, Inspiring Audiences: Where Dance Thrives and Communities Connect

apply today!

The Movement Project's Cleveland Dance Fest is set to return for its 10th Anniversary season November 7th, 8th, and 9th, 2025 at Playhouse Square in Cleveland! The 3-day festival will feature master classes by CDF artists and performances featuring Cleveland dance artists, visiting artists and pre-professional artists. CDF 2025 is taking applications for performance pieces and dance films starting February 10th, 2025. CDF has 4 applications this year for artists to apply. See submission qualifications and guidelines below.

Direct all questions & inquires to cdf@themovementproject.org

Professional Concert Series & Commissioned Artists Applications

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES & QUALIFICATIONS

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR: We are looking for artists producing work that explores the boundaries of dance composition, challenges perspectives, is diverse in thought/action and is reflective of themselves and people in their community. We encourage artists to submit work that is challenging, explores complex topics, experimental, is relevant and shows a strong understanding of dance composition.

WHO CAN APPLY: Northeast Ohio artists, artists throughout U.S. and international artists are welcome to apply. All applicants, including casts, must be professional or collegiate dancers 18 years or older to apply and perform at CDF, no exceptions. *CDF's mission is to provide support and a platform for artists who work, live or have a strong connection to Cleveland and the surrounding Northeast Ohio community. We do accept applications for those who reside outside of NE Ohio or the state, but do note that the majority of artists selected will be from the area. SEE SPECIFIC APPLICATION TYPES BELOW.

HOW WE SELECT WORKS: Applications are reviewed by the Cleveland Dance Fest Advisory Board, which includes members of The Movement Project and prominent dance artists in the NE Ohio dance community and beyond. TMP is dedicated to providing an adjudication process that focuses on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. The individuals of our board represent a wide range of communities, demographics, and cultures.

WHEN SELECTIONS ARE MADE: Artists will be notified by April 21st on their application status.

PROFESSIONAL CONCERT SERIES Application

(Submissions for completed works.)

Applicants: Artists at all stages of their professional career are welcome to apply. (including independent dance artists, dance companies, grad students, college/undergraduate students and emerging artists)

Submission Requirements: (Solo, Small Group, Large Group) Completed works between 5-15 minutes. (Excerpts from larger works accepted)

applications Due APRIL 1ST by 11:00 pm

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commissioned artists Application

(Submissions for commissioned works by NE Ohio artists.)

Applicants: Northeast Ohio artists interested in creating a new work to perform as a commissioned artist at Cleveland Dance Fest should apply here.

*Selected commissioned artists are responsible for securing cast/dancers.

Artists at all stages of their professional career are welcome to apply. (including college/undergraduate students) NOTE: This application is intended for Northeast Ohio artists, as selected artists would be utilizing free studio time and a choreographic mentorship with TMP. Those who reside outside of NE Ohio or do not plan to use all 20 free rehearsal hours, do not qualify for this application type (please apply via the professional concert series app).

Submission Requirements: (Solo, Small Group, Large Group) Description of proposed work you would create as a commissioned artist and 3 samples of choreography.

applications Due APRIL 1ST by 11:00 pm

DANCE ON FILM APPLICATIONS

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES & QUALIFICATIONS

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR: We encourage artists to submit work that is challenging, explores complex topics, is relevant and shows a strong understanding of dance composition.

WHO CAN APPLY: All artists over 18 from any state or country! This is an opportunity for artists around the world to create and share their work via our virtual dance film gallery.

HOW WE SELECT WORKS: Applications are reviewed by the Cleveland Dance Fest Advisory Board, which includes members of The Movement Project and prominent dance artists in the NE Ohio dance community. TMP is dedicated to providing an adjudication process that focuses on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. The individuals of our board represent a wide range of communities, demographics, and cultures.

WHEN SELECTIONS ARE MADE: Artists will be notified by April 21st on their application status.

DAnce on Film Application

(Artists at all stages of career)

Applicants: All applicants, including casts, must be 18 years or older.

Submission Requirements: Completed dance films at time of submission.

applications Due APRIL 1ST by 11:00 pm

YOUTH SHOWCASE APPLICATIONS

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES & QUALIFICATIONS

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR: Cleveland Dance Fest is looking for concert dance pieces in the following styles/forms: modern/contemporary dance, ballet, pointe, Indian, African, or any other cultural & traditional dance forms.

WHO CAN APPLY: This application is for youth dance ensembles ages 12 -18 years old. All dancers performing must be between 12 - 18 years old, no exceptions.

HOW WE SELECT WORKS: Applications are reviewed by the Cleveland Dance Fest Advisory Board, which includes members of The Movement Project and prominent dance artists in the NE Ohio dance community. TMP is dedicated to providing an adjudication process that focuses on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. The individuals of our board represent a wide range of communities, demographics and cultures.

WHEN SELECTIONS ARE MADE: Artists will be notified by September 15th on their application status.

Youth Showcase Application

(Youth Dance Ensembles)

Applicants: Submissions for the youth showcase must be made under 1 studio/school name. Each studio/school can submit up to 2 pieces. (If you are a teacher or student looking to submit, please check with your studio to see if they are submitting an application. If so, you will need to submit under their name to ensure that no more than 1 application is submitted per studio/school)

Submission Requirements: At time of submission, works do not need to be completed.

We will accept 1 of the following options:

1. Footage of completed work(s) you would like to perform at CDF. (must not exceed 10 minutes)

2. Work sample of another work (not the piece you intend to perform, but a work sample of a completed work for our reference.)

   If selected to perform at CDF, all participating artists will be required to submit footage of their final piece by October 26th, 2025. Final cast names must be submitted by October 1st, 2025

applications Due Sept. 12th by 11:00 pm

Application Due Dates

more information about Cleveland Dance Fest

*All pricing and schedule subject to change. Official pre-sale & schedule launch September 1st, 2025.

Hear from the artists!

Listen to what our past CDF artists have to say about their experience at Cleveland Dance Fest and what it was like working with The Movement Project!