The annual Emerging Choreographers Project (ECP) is QL2 Dance’s most unique project. Mentored by professional choreographers, young QL2 dance artists create their own original short dance works for a public season in our theatre at Gorman Arts Centre.  

For young artists, the ECP offers an invaluable experience to explore their curiosity and develop their unique artistry as emerging dance makers. 

For audiences, the ECP is an opportunity to see innovative works from curious, creative and talented young Canberrans.

In 2025, ECP includes an extended timeline with a dedicated period for research and development (prior to starting rehearsals) and a dedicated workshop on lighting for dance, facilitated by local production company Sidestage. 

If you are interested in being a choreographer for ECP 2025, please read the following information carefully and submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) no later than Friday 18 July.  

PROJECT TIMELINE 

CONCEPT Workshop: Sunday 10 August 

Compulsory for all ECP 2025 choreographers, this workshop will crack open initial ideas with the mentors, and your fellow choreographers. Following this session, you will have a 2-4 weeks to develop your ideas further and plan your initial choreographic experiments. 

PHASE 1 – Development: Sundays 24 & 31 August OR Saturdays 13 & 20 September 

Based on your availability, you will attend EITHER the Saturday sessions OR the Sunday sessions. These sessions provide an opportunity to workshop your concept and ideas using fellow choreographers as your dancers. Each choreographer will have dedicated time to trial different choreographic ideas. This is not rehearsal; it is development – an opportunity to try many things and seek out the essence of your work. These trials will help you develop your choreographic vision so that you can be clear when you get to rehearsals. Clarifying your vision will help determine your casting requirements. 

Please note that we will open a separate application process for dancers after this phase of the program. 

LIGHTING Workshop: Sunday 28 September OR Saturday 19 October 

This workshop is designed to give young choreographers an understanding of both the practical and dramaturgical possibilities of lighting dance. Scheduled to take place before phase 2 of the program, the workshop will support artists to consider lighting from the beginning of their rehearsal process. 

PHASE 2 – Rehearsals: November 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23 & 29-30, December 6-7 

There is six weekends of rehearsal time available to create your work with your dancers. Choreographers are required to nominate their availability across this period. 

Casting will be decided by the mentors according to the needs of each piece and the availability of young dance artists. 

PRODUCTION Thursday 11 – Sunday 14 December 2025 

Production will take place in the QL2 Dance Theatre with an exact schedule TBC.  

ELIGIBILITY 

In 2025, the Emerging Choreographers Project is open to QL2 2025 Members who have choreographed for ECP, Hot to Trot, or Stepping Up previously. 

If you would like to chat about this opportunity and decide whether it is right for you, please make a time to meet with Alice. 

PROJECT COST 

The ECP is heavily subsidised. QL2 Dance 2025 members pay $250 pp to participate as a choreographer. 

The project fee covers approximately 60 hours of contact time, including workshop, rehearsal and production time facilitated by professional choreographers and designers, a fully produced performance season in a professional theatre, lighting and sound design, costumes, marketing, and professional photography. One on one mentorship is also provided. 

Project fees are due before the project begins. Payment plans are also available. Bursaries are not available for this project. 

THE APPLICATION PROCESS 

You will need to submit an online application (Expression of Interest) via our website to be considered as an ECP choreographer, no later than Friday 18 July 2025.  

Applications will be assessed by QL2 staff. We have room for approximately six choreographers to be part of the 2025 program. 

In your application, you are encouraged to articulate your inspiration/curiosity/vision as clearly as possible. If you have strong instincts regarding specific details, such as technical requirements please include them. Please note though, that Phase 1 (research and development) is dedicated to diving deeper into your concept and this may influence some details, such as the length of your piece and number of dancers you will work with – will be confirmed at the end of Phase 1.