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Open Stage

Made possible by
The Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation

Indy Movement Arts is so thrilled to announce Open Stage, a new opportunity for local dance makers made possible by the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation.  Through Open Stage, we will produce new and experimental work by local dance makers in our home at the Basile Opera Center.  Through this program, selected artists will not have to pay a dime in venue rental fees, will receive a $250 stipend, and keep 100% of ticket proceeds. 

What It's
About

01

Venue Rental

Selected artists will have a tech rehearsal, dress rehearsal, and two performances but will not be charged any venue rental fees.

03

Mentorship

Open Stage is an artist development program as well as a presenting program.  If artists need advice on aspects of their creative life, grant writing, budgeting, promotion, etc., Indy Movement Arts staff will provide guidance.

05

The Space

Selected artists will present their work in the Performance Hall at the Basile Opera Center.  Because the Performance Hall is not a traditional theater, our partner, Indy Convergence, will provide theatrical lighting or other production elements if possible.  Artists with a strong production vision are encouraged to get in touch with Indy Movement Arts staff before applying.  The Performance Hall offers flexibility but also presents some limitations  

02

Stipend

Selected artists will receive a $250 stipend upon selection, to help defray the cost of securing rehearsal space and other rehearsal expenses.  If ticket sales are less than $250, Indy Movement Art will supplement ticket earnings to guarantee an artist income of at least $500.

04

Promotion

Indy Movement Arts will promote the selected artist and their performance on our webpage, social media accounts, and with physical flyers.

06

Artist Expectations

Selected artists are responsible for their own casting, rehearsals, and costumes.  Indy Movement Arts will present 3 Open Stage artists over the course of 2025, one for each date range below.  The performing cast must be available for ONE of the date ranges below:

May 22 - 24

August 21 - 23

November 20 - 22

This application has TWO PARTS.  Please submit answers to the questions below.  Once you have submitted your answers you will be asked, via email, to submit 1 (if video format) or 2 (if photo format) work samples. Applications are due 1/24/25, applicants will be notified by 1/31/25.


Eligibility for Open Stage

  1. Must be a resident of Marion County as of Oct 1st, 2024.

  2. Must be at least 18 years of age

  3. The proposal must incorporate movement; movement-based work preferred

  4. Individuals currently attending college or graduate studies are not eligible

  5. Applicants must be available in person 


Guidance for Open Stage

  1. Experimental proposals or proposals that are a departure for the artist are strongly encouraged; Open Stage also strongly encourages proposals from artists working in forms not often presented as “concert dance”, i.e., folkloric or traditional dance, social dance, physically integrated dance, etc

  2. Work samples may be from any time in the artist's creative output, but artists are encouraged to submit work from within the last 3 years.

  3. Because Open Stage has a mentorship component, applicants are encouraged to reflect on their career and/or artistic goals to get the most out of the program.


Indy Movement Arts will be presenting 3 Open Stage artists over the course of 2025, one in each of the date ranges listed below. Please indicate below which dates, if any, are NOT available for you:
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