New York City’s dance scene is bustling and to be a part of it, you must immerse yourself in community events and showings. These environments will allow you to network with professionals, meet up-and-coming choreographers, and become inspired by successful artists.

1. Dual Rivet’s 6th Annual MADE BY WOMEN Festival at Arts on Site with Free closing night party 
   • The 6th annual MADE BY WOMEN Festival created by Dual Rivet: a NYC based Dance Company directed by Chelsea Ainsworth and Jess Smith, who are both faculty at Marymount Manhattan College. The festival is March 12th through the 14th and will highlight underrepresented women choreographers and filmmakers. The venue is Arts on Site, a very intimate space that invites socialization with its ground level seating. General admission is $30 and there will be a free closing night party where you can mingle with the company, presenters, and NYC dance community.

     

2. La MaMa Meet-Ups: A free virtual event to talk with La MaMa Curators about your workhttps://lamama.org/la-mama-meet-ups-march-12-2/ 
   • Event two is an excellent opportunity to speak directly with dance professionals and share your ideas. The La MaMa Meet-Ups program is a free virtual call on March 12th where you will be able to pitch your ideas to Mia Yoo, the Artistic Director of La MaMa Experimental Theater Club, and Nick Paraiso, the Director of Programming for The Club at La MaMa. This is a unique networking opportunity that promotes conversations between professionals and aspiring dancers.

     

3. Common Space 9 by Creature Space will feature emerging choreographer’s works
   • The third event is Common Space 9 by Creature Space, a creative hub that uplifts young choreographers. By attending this event, you will have the chance to support and meet rising choreographers who may be seeking dancers, such as MMC alum Jo Wokurka, who will be presenting a piece. There will be a showing on March 14th and 15th with tickets costing $22.
4. Peter Chu’s Spotlight Class at Steps on Broadway
   • The fourth event is a Contemporary class with Peter Chu at Steps on Broadway. Peter Chu is a widely known

     

     and respected dance artist who has choreographed for NYC’s Gibney Dance and Paul Taylor Dance Company. This spotlight class is two hours long on March 28th and $27. What is significant about this is that the class environment may allow you to be scouted or noticed by Chu. Another notable benefit from attending is that after class, you can introduce yourself and have dialogue.

5. Fresh Tracks 26’ New Works Residency & Performance
   •  Lastly, event five is Fresh Tracks 26’ New Works at

     

     New York Live Arts. This will be a showing of the annual Fresh Tracks Residency and Performance program created for emerging movement-based artists. The cohort is made up of five promising choreographers who have completed the season-long residency aimed towards professional development. Attending this will be another great way to be acquainted with rising choreographic artists. You may also find that you want to apply for next year’s residency; it is here that you can express this desire to those involved and receive more information. The application process typically takes place over the summer and has the potential to be a life changing experience. You have lots of time to reserve your spot as the shows are on May 15th and 16th with tickets starting at $25. This venue at New York Live Arts is intimate and the audience is always filled with an array of dance creatives. Prior to entering the theater, there is a lobby where you can chat with the NYC dance community in attendance. The creators will typically join the public in the lobby afterwards, which is your chance to congratulate them, spark conversation, and build a connection.