November 8, 2022
Our call for dance is now closed for 2023. Thanks to all who applied.
Hidden Door Festival is taking place from 31 May – 4 June 2023 and we are looking for dance artists and performers who would like to contribute to this event and be part of our programme.
Deadline: Monday 5th December 2022, midnight
Hidden Door 2023 will be a little bit different. Taking over an incredible site in Edinburgh that’s never been used for creative events before, between 31st May and 4th June we will be creating a spectacular, immersive experience that represents something totally new for us, and for the arts in Edinburgh.
As always, we will be presenting a multi art form programme, embedding visual artists, dance, and live music into the experience to shine a light on exciting creative talent based in Scotland. This year, dance will be integral to the experience as people move through the event and we are now looking for dance artists to be involved across two strands; Dance Artists/Makers and Performers.
See below for how to submit as part of the Dance Artist/Makers or as part of the Performers call.
We are looking for dance collaborators to join multi art-form projects commissioned by Hidden Door, which will be presented for 5 consecutive evenings during the festival.
For example a project may include an electronic composer working with two dancers, a costume designer and a filmmaker.
We are looking for dance artists to participate in the collaborative process with a range of artists working in different disciplines to create new work responding to our 2023 theme of ENVIRONMENTS. This is for those interested in using their dance practice within a new experimental environment.
There will be 6 interlinked collaborative projects which will create an immersive experience, forming the centre piece of Hidden Door 2023. Hidden Door will facilitate the projects, providing a dedicated artist liaison and producing-support for the full team of collaborators.
We want to make this initial call out as simple as possible, we’re looking to get to know you and your work and why you would like to be part of one of these projects as a collaborator. You may have previous experience working with artists from a specific different art form, or you may want to use this opportunity to bring something new to your practice. You can use this collaboration opportunity in a way that suits your practice. You may wish to perform in the work yourself or with your company/collective. Or you may wish to take an outside role as a choreographer and invite other dancers to perform in the work.
We are looking for dance artists who:
The decision to select artists for these projects will be based upon the following:
The panel will be made up of Hidden Door team members from across the different art form strands of the festival programme.
To apply, please complete this application form on Smart Survey.
You will be asked the following questions:
These can be answered in writing or by video.
The main engagement period will be in Spring 2023 prior to the festival taking place. Each project will be presented for 5 consecutive nights as part of Hidden Door 2023.
Following the call out we will have an initial conversation with the artists we would like to bring forward to talk through how you would like to be involved in one of the collaborative projects and suggest and discuss artists that we think you might work well with.
We’re looking for performers who are interested in being part of Hidden Door for a new and exciting performance opportunity. Created in a promenade style, this work will form a connection between other projects taking place at Hidden Door and be delivered as a ‘guide’ to audience members as they move throughout the site.
The performance will draw on inspirations from the series of collaborative projects which will be situated in spaces throughout the festival site, enhancing the immersive experience of the festival.
We’re looking for dance and physical performers who are experienced and/or interested in the following:
We will welcome applications from performers based anywhere in the UK, but due to Hidden Door’s purpose being to support artists based in Scotland, we will prioritise applicants based in or with connections to Scotland.
The selection process will be informal and applications will be discussed within the Hidden Door team to find a dynamic group of performers who will bring a variety of skills and experience to this project. There will not be an audition or interview. Rather we will get in touch with those selected to have a short chat about the project and what it will involve.
Performances will take place each night of the festival over a 2-3 hour period – you will not be physically performing constantly over this time, but must be confident that you are able to sustain a performance mode over this duration.
Performers will be asked to rehearse in the weeks leading up to the festival, in a studio space and on site. We don’t have exact dates as yet, but we will work with the group to organise dates once the performers are selected and confirmed they would like to join the project.
The main engagement period will be in late April/ and throughout May in Edinburgh, but you might be required for some initial meetings and exploration days prior to this.
To apply, please complete this application form on Smart Survey.
You will be asked to answer the following questions:
Hidden Door is committed to paying artists fairly for work and fees will be discussed with each selected applicant and contracts will be issued following confirmation of engagement.
Every artist will be paid for 5 days’ performance and all rehearsals.
We particularly welcome applications from those who identify as having characteristics currently under-represented in the Scottish dance sector.
If you have any access needs and wish to discuss how Hidden Door can support your application and/or wish to discuss any aspect of the accessibility of the building we will be using for the Hidden Door venue, please get in touch.
Due to the small team and voluntary nature of Hidden Door unfortunately we will not be able to provide feedback to those unselected.
If you have any questions about the application please get in touch via dance@hiddendoorarts.org.
When completing your application please do not worry about use of grammar, spelling or formatting, these will not influence the outcome – we are interested in you and your work.
All the main questions can also be answered via video if you prefer.
If sending video responses please provide either links for downloadable files (ie via Wetransfer) or Google drive file links.
For videos of your choreographic or performance work – please send Vimeo, Youtube or a Google drive file links, rather than files to download.
We’ll be back from 31 May – 4 June 2023 at a secret new venue somewhere in Edinburgh, never before used for the arts or creative events, creating a five-day spectacular event that is even more immersive and atmospheric than any Hidden Door so far.
Early bird tickets are already on sale – every ticket sold helps us to plan the event and make this the best Hidden Door yet.
