Studio Sessions AAD & Choreographers

Associate Artistic Director Applications

Are you interested in learning how to produce a dance concert? Do you have a passion for supporting choreographers and presenting their work to an audience?  Are you curious about working as a dance curator, producer or director in the future?  Are you willing to commit to the production starting at the beginning of the semester, September through December?

Lisa Busfield, is seeking a student to serve as an Associate Artistic Director for Studio Sessions, the intimate student-choreographed dance concert in December 2024. The AAD will work closely with Lisa, from the initial proposal process through to the final performance.

Responsibilities of the Associate Artistic Director:

• Work closely with the Faculty Artistic Director and Stage Manager
• Participate in the proposal selection process
• Support the audition & casting process
• Attend weekly production meetings
• Attend choreographic showings
• Support the production by attending technical rehearsals and performances

The position is open to all sophomores, juniors and seniors. If selected for this position, you will not be eligible to choreograph or perform in Studio Sessions. However, you may submit a choreography proposal to be considered in the event that you're not selected for the AAD position.

To Apply:

Please send a letter of interest to Lisa Busfield (lisabusfield@muhlenberg.edu) by Wednesday, Aug. 28, at 11:59 pm ET.  Any questions, please contact Lisa.

Proposals are open to all student choreographers who have completed Dance Comp 1 or who are currently enrolled in Dance Comp 1 (in fall 2024). Final pieces should be no more than 6 to 8 minutes.

PROPOSALS (completed google form + video) DUE Friday, Aug. 30, at 11:59 pm ET.

Proposals will be evaluated on the following:

1. evidence of a clear artistic point of view
2. evidence of embodied research on your proposed topic
3. quality and depth of movement invention/exploration, as demonstrated via the video submission
4. discussion of proposed choreographic process and/or vision for your work (sound, lighting, costume, etc.)

When completing your proposal, please consider the following:

• Why do you want to make this piece?  
• What type of choreographic research have you engaged in thus far?  
• How would you describe your choreographic process?
• Do you intend to work with a specific style/genre of movement?
• What type of music/sound are you interested in for this work?
• Do you have specific ideas for the visual aesthetic?
• Approximately how long is the piece?

Also, consider the performance space when completing your proposal. The Dance Studio Theatre (DST) is an intimate space. How will you utilize this venue in the design of your movement, dancers, and theme?  

Please note the following production element guidelines:

• Costumes may be pulled from the department's extensive stock or from dancer's personal wardrobes.
• There will be limited lighting options, with only 1-2 cues per piece.

In addition to the google form, you will also need to submit a video, no longer than 5 minutes MAX, which includes footage of your preliminary embodied research for this piece. Please introduce yourself and discuss how you intend to develop the proposed material as part of your choreographic process. The video should be submitted through the google form if possible, and should in any case be complete and ready to submit when you submit your form.

Solos, duets, trios, and group works will be considered for the concert, but you may not perform in your own work. The total number of selected pieces will be determined once all proposals are received and reviewed by Lisa Busfield (Faculty Artistic Director and Co-Director of Dance) and a Student Associate Artistic Director (TBA).

Curatorial decisions will be made by Monday, Sept. 2.

If you are selected, choreographers will meet Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 7:15 pm to discuss auditions, casting and rehearsal schedules. 

Dancer auditions will be held on Friday, Sept. 6.

If you have any questions, please email Lisa at [email protected]