THE SIGNATURE ECS PROGRAM - AT A GLANCE
The ECS program encompasses five main elements:
1. SPACE GRANT
Each choreographer receives up to 35 hours of free rehearsal space through MNE’s partnerships with LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (LPAC) and other sponsoring venues.
2. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & MENTORSHIP
Participants receive workshops and hands-on advice from professionals on grant writing, arts administration, budgeting & finance, and more. Once the rehearsal process starts, participants get to work with MNE Leadership who can attend rehearsals and provide 1:1 feedback, dramaturgy support, and logistical guidance. One month before the show, participants present their works-in-progress in front of industry experts, peers, and invited guests to get valuable audience feedback.
3. PRODUCTION BUDGET
Each choreographer is allotted a modest choreographer fee of $1,000. Performers are paid $18/hr for rehearsals (up to 35 hours) along with an additional stipend of $300 paid for tech, dress, and performances. MNE encourages and is able to host fundraising campaigns through its GiveButter platform to help choreographers collect tax-deductible donations to compensate additional collaborators and cover other production expenses.
4. PERFORMANCE
The ECS Program culminates in two-fully produced performances at LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (LaGuardia Community College-CUNY) complete with full dress rehearsal and tech. All pieces will be presented as a world premiere and professional photo and video footage will be captured.
5. NETWORK BUILDING & ECS FORWARD
The choreographers selected for ECS are brought into the program as a group and are expected to support each other along this choreographic journey. Additionally, ECS brings in panelists to view their work in hopes some may be selected for future opportunities. Choreographers are encouraged to build relationships with the consultants and panelists.
Post-program, all participants are invited to join ECS Forward, a platform for alumni choreographers that facilitates mutual support, choreographic opportunities, and networking beyond the ECS program, ushering ECS alumni into the next stage of their careers. This includes exclusive opportunities for ECS alumni: develop a longer 30-45 minute work with higher funding provided by MNE, serve in a paid leadership role in the ECS Forward Committee overseeing ECS Forward programming, teach a masterclass at Gibney, receive marketing support for self-produced shows by alumni, networking & social events, studio showings, work-in-progress residencies, and more!