Isthmus Dance Collective's Dance Experience Lab for Vibrant Exchange (DELVE) Incubator provides a paid opportunity for choreographers and dancers to create and explore artistically, while making new connections and performing for local audiences. Dancers will work with selected choreographers in the creation of new works that will be premiered at Isthmus Dance Collective (IDC)'s DELVE Incubator performances on May 16 & 17th at Madison Circus Space.

Dancers from around the region are invited to participate, with a guaranteed dancer stipend, opportunities for professional development, and the ability to make new connections while expanding artist boundaries.

Paired dancers and choreographers will work over the span of ~10 weeks to explore and develop new works that will be premiered in a May performance produced by the Isthmus Dance Collective.

Dancers must attend the casting workshop on February's 2nd in order to participate in DELVE. We encourage dancers to attend the whole workshop to learn from all 6 of our amazing 2025 choreographers. If you have unmovable commitments that keep you from attending the full workshop, please connect with us.

GOALS OF DELVE

• Seed new connections and collaborations between regional dance artists
• Produce innovative and unique dance works
• Engage new and diverse audiences
• Promote dialogue across different parts of the Madison dance community
• Expand the boundaries of both choreographers and dancers

CHOREOGRAPHERS (see @isthmusdancecollective Instagram for bios):

Natalia Armacanqui

José Cruz-Arzón

Krysten Hagedorn

Erica Pinigis

Edward Salas

Liz Sexe

DANCE STYLES OF WORKS

• Natalia: mixed Latin American folk, Bollywood, bellydance, and other global dance styles
• José: jazz funk & fusion of street styles
• Krysten: prop dance, contemporary, jazz funk, tutting
• Erica: American modern/contemporary fusion 
• Eddie: contemporary/martial arts
• Liz: contemporary-modern, social dance (DnB), dance theater

February 2, 2025, 11am - 3:30pm: DELVE Casting Workshop at Madison Circus Space

February 10, 2025 - Dancers receive casting notifications

February 15, 2025 - Dancers accept or decline their casting

March 1, 2025 (Various locations): Rehearsals begin

May 15, 2025: DELVE Tech & Dress Rehearsal at Madison Circus Space

May 16 & 17, 2025: DELVE Performances at Madison Circus Space

ELIGIBILITY

• Dancers must be 18 years or older
• Dancers must be able to attend the casting workshop on February 2, 2025
• Dancers must be able to attend rehearsals for the pieces in which they are cast, tech & dress rehearsal on May 15, and performances on May 16 & 17, 2025 

COMPENSATION

Dancers will receive $100 base honorarium for participating in DELVE. For each additional piece in which a dancer is cast, they will receive a bonus stipend of $50. Honoraria will be paid after conclusion of the performance in May 2025.

HOW CASTING WORKS

In this form, dancers will select all rehearsal periods for which they are available. At the end of the casting workshop, dancers will be asked to share their preferences, including which rehearsal times and processes work best for them. Choreographers will then work with the planning committee to cast their pieces based on choreographer vision, dancer availability, dancer preference, and production needs. 

If you have any questions, please email isthmusdancecollective@gmail.com.