Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ - Application & Selection Process
1) What happens during the Round Two Zoom Interview of the application process?
Round 2 interviews will be with the ECS 2027 Selecting Panel, made up of industry professionals and MNE staff. You will present your piece idea, show a small movement sample, and be asked questions about your proposed work. The panel will also have a chance to give you feedback if time allows. This interview will be about 20-minutes. You will be asked to prepare the following:
● A verbal description of the piece, including brief synopsis and ideas for music, staging, props, etc.
● 1-minute movement sample - a solo version of the piece you intend to develop during ECS 2027
2) Can I apply with a collaborator/partner?
No. Although we have supported team choreographers in the past, due to budget constraints, we will need to be strict on the number of participants and can only accept solo choreographers.
3) For Round 1: Do I need to have dancers to show my new work movement material?
No. You will demonstrate your own movement in the Choreographer Application video submission. If you are unable, email us about other options. For the application process we want to see a solo demonstration of material even if your piece is conceived for a group.
4) For Round 2: Do I need to have dancers to show my new work movement material?
It’s up to you! You can either demonstrate your own movement material during the in-person interview or have a dancer of your choice demonstrate the movement. But regardless, this should still be a solo demonstration of material even if your piece is conceived for a group.
5) How many people are you looking for?
We are looking to select 5 choreographers this year from the application process.
6) Who will be on the selecting committee?
The selecting committee will consist of professionals in the industry with significant experience in choreography and self-producing as well as ECS Alumni choreographers. Past selecting panelists included Christine Dakin, Raja Feather Kelly, Nicole von Arx, Sidra Bell, Elisa Monte, Archie Burnett, Brenda Bufalino, Christian Von Howard, Joya Powell, Miki Orihara, Mike Esperanza, Ephrath Asherie, Anabella Lenzu, Sekou McMiller, and Noah Racey.
7) Is there an age requirement for ECS choreographers? Can choreographers be enrolled in college?
The minimum age requirement to apply for ECS is 18 years old. However, those enrolled in a college/degree granting program or an intensive study curriculum of any level/discipline between January and May 2027 are not eligible to apply for ECS. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your specific situation do not hesitate to reach out to us via email.
FAQ - ECS Program
1) How will dancers be chosen?
Choreographers are encouraged to reach out to colleagues, dancers, and friends in their network. For all choreographers in need of dancers, ECS will provide support in posting an open call and will host the in-person audition on Sun, December 6th between 12pm - 5pm at LPAC. This is optional for choreographers who aren’t looking for new dancers, but we strongly encourage attending!
2) What happens at the weekly ECS meetings? Are they held in-person or virtually?
This year, all ECS professional development seminars will be held in-person. We will have dedicated topics for each session led by guest consultants who are experts in their fields. Choreographers might be given prep work prior to these sessions so that they can receive hands-on feedback. Most meetings take place at LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (LPAC) in Long Island City or at MNE’s Office in Woodside, Queens.
3) Are dancers required to attend ECS meetings?
Dancers are required to attend the virtual orientation meeting on Sunday, January 10th from 1-2pm EST. They will be paid their hourly rehearsal stipend for this commitment. Tech & dress is mandatory for all dancers.
4) When and how will rehearsals be booked?
Choreographers will be asked to collect availability from their dancers and send a full schedule of dates to MNE by Monday, November 16th. Some adjustments might need to be made if no space is available during the desired times, in communication with the choreographers. Rehearsal bookings will be secured and all schedules will be finalized by December 2026.
5) Is there any compensation?
Yes. Each choreographer will receive a $1,000 fee. Additionally, MNE will pay each performer an $18/hr stipend for rehearsals (up to 35 hours) along with an additional fee of $300 for tech, dress, and performances. Choreographers are welcome (but not required) to use alternate forms of funding to supplement their ECS work.
6) Are choreographers allowed to dance in their work? Will I get paid more if I dance in my own piece?
Yes, it is totally up to you! Choreographers choosing to dance in their own piece will receive an additional stipend of $300 for tech, dress and performances as well as the $18/hr dancer fee. But, if you choose to dance, there can’t be more than five dancers in the work including the choreographer.
7) Can I do additional fundraising for my ECS piece?
MNE encourages and provides logistical help for individual fundraisers to pay additional collaborators and cover production expenses. Choreographers can set up campaigns through MNE’s GiveButter platform to receive tax-deductible donations with no commissions charged by MNE. Funds must be used for ECS expenses only. You can also run your own independent campaigns.
8) Do I need to attend all weekly meetings?
Yes. Given the collaborative nature of ECS, active participation at all meetings and professional development sessions is mandatory for the learning and growth of all participants.
9) What happens if I get a job that conflicts with the program?
We will strive to accommodate conflicts and other commitments in our scheduling process. However, once the rehearsal schedule and all other events are finalized you are expected to fully commit. If commitments that arise after the acceptance of the program will create significant conflicts, you could be asked to leave and forgo payment and the opportunity to present your work. The same rules apply to dancers and we ask that you take this into consideration when selecting your cast.
FAQ - Choreographic Work
1) Are there any stylistic limitations for choreographers?
No. All dance styles, fusions, and themes are welcomed. We invite and encourage a wide spectrum of forms and will evaluate classical, ballet, modern, contemporary, hip-hop, tap, percussive, jazz, dance theater, experimental, traditional/folk, etc. or fusion expressions on an equal scale.
2) Can I present a piece longer than 12 minutes?
No. However, you may develop an excerpt of a longer work as long as the excerpt stands alone.
3) Can I show my piece in public before the end of the program?
No. Your choreography must premiere at the ECS performance in April 2027 and cannot be shown in public, live or virtual, before that date. This includes performances of excerpts, informal studio showings, streaming events, etc.
4) Can I incorporate live music into the work?
We are unable to support live musicians, unless it is absolutely crucial for the choreographic presentation. If live music is integral to your proposed work and/or dance form, please contact us before applying so we can assess your eligibility.
5) Can I use props in my work? Will MNE provide storage space?
ECS limits props to small items that the choreographer is able to transport to each rehearsal and commitment. MNE will not be able to guarantee storage space during the program at any participating venue or theater.
6) Can I use video/media in my proposed work?
We are unable to support projections or media options unless it is absolutely crucial for the choreographic presentation. If projections/digital media is integral to your proposed work and/or dance form, please contact us before applying so we can assess your eligibility.
7) Can I use a composer, costume designer, or other collaborators?
ECS budget does not include payment for rehearsal assistants, costume designers, composers, media creators, projection artists, prop masters, makeup artists, etc. You may choose to hire them at your own expense and we are happy to assist with any fundraising efforts.
8) Can I use a dramaturg or director?
ECS provides dramaturgy support to choreographers. Outside directors / dramaturgs are not allowed.
9) Can I have my personal photographer or videographer for my piece?
No. MNE hires a professional photographer and videographer for the dress rehearsal and performances. Such material will be shared with you at no cost.
10) How many dancers can be in my piece?
Each piece can have a maximum of five performers on stage. The choreographer can choose to be one of the five performers or not. So, the maximum limits are as follows:
● 5 dancers + 1 choreographer, if the choreographer is not dancing in their own work
● 4 dancers + 1 choreographer, if the choreographer is dancing in their own work
If you have a question for which you did not find and answer, do not hesitate to contact us: ecs@mnelements.org