Black and white image of two dancers in a studio

ODC has partnered with the California Arts Council to relaunch Pilot! The program was originally created in 1990 to nurture the development of emerging choreographers, and with CAC’s support we will offer new services for emerging and mid-career choreographers, such as free rehearsal space, artistic stipends and more intensive mentorship to support local choreographers who are seeking guidance. This is an opportunity for artists to invest in their choreographic practices as they restart their careers and self-produce, emerging from the pandemic. The program is spearheaded by ODC Associate Choreographer and School Director, Kimi Okada.

The Pilot Program provides comprehensive mentorship by a professional choreographer and ODC staff, along with a framework for shared production responsibilities over an eleven-week period, concluding with a premiere of original choreography in ODC’s’s Studio-B performance space. 2022’s PILOT Program will take place from September through December and will primarily serve BIPOC women choreographers. 

Participation in Pilot is FREE, however we require all choreographers to attend the following in-person events: 

  • Weekly Cohort meetings: Fridays, 8:30-10 AM, beginning Friday, September 16 
    (excluding the week that includes Thanksgiving and Native American Heritage Day
  • Composition Kick-Off Class: Sunday, September 18, 12-3PM
  • First Showing: Sunday, October 16, 12-3 PM
  • Individual rehearsals with Mentor: Sunday, October 30 between 1-7  PM (1 hour each)
  • Second Showing: Sunday, November, 13 12-3 PM
  • Individual Check-ins with Mentor: TBD based on both of your schedules  
  • Tech rehearsal: Friday, December 16, Exact Times TBD
  • Dress Rehearsal: Saturday, December 17 at 5 PM
  • Performances: Saturday, December 17 at 8 PM, Sunday December 18 at 4 & 7 PM at ODC Studio B. Studio Theater
  • Post Performance Debrief Meeting: TBA
     

ANNOUNCING THE 2022 PILOT PROGRAM CHOREOGRAPHERS
 

FAQs about the Pilot Program

  • How can I receive more information on the program and/or help on my application? 

    There are two ways to gain info and help on the application process:

    1) Have general questions? Please email kimi@odc.dance
    2) Informal Zoom group info session on August 4th. Link here.
     

  • How is Pilot organized?

    6 artists are chosen by application, which is paneled by both Program Mentors and ODC Staff. In your application we invite you to clearly share your artistic intention and how you specifically plan to realize your vision by submitting a written proposal and video work sample(s). 

    These 6 artists selected form a collective with shared production responsibilities. Each person becomes a manager of a certain job (i.e. facilitator, flyer design, social media management, etc.) and reports back to the group at the weekly Friday meetings.

    Again, Pilot is free to partake in but here are the required events all participating choreographers must attend:

    • Weekly Cohort meetings: Fridays, 8:30-10 AM, beginning Friday, September 16 (excluding the week that includes Thanksgiving and Native American Heritage Day
    • Composition Kick-Off Class: Sunday, September 18, 12-3PM
    • First Showing: Sunday, October 16, 12-3 PM
    • Individual rehearsals with Mentor: Sunday, October 30 between 1-7  PM (1 hour each)
    • Second Showing: Sunday, November, 13 12-3 PM
    • Individual Check-ins with Mentor: TBD based on both of your schedules  
    • Tech rehearsal: Friday, December 16, Exact Times TBD
    • Dress Rehearsal: Saturday, December 17 at 5 PM
    • Performances: Saturday, December 17 at 8 PM, Sunday December 18 at 4 & 7 PM at ODC Studio B. Studio Theater
    • Post Performance Debrief Meeting: TBA

     

  • Eligibility requirements?

    1) Every applicant must submit a proposal within the application period. 
    2) Participating Artists are required at all events, but dancers and collaborators are only required for performance related activities. 
    3) Participants must be local Bay Area residents 
    2) The program is intended to serve a wide-range of dance and movement practitioners, primarily serving BIPOC women choreographers. Everyone is invited to apply. Any questions on this can be directed to kimi@odc.dance

  • What do participating choreographers receive as part of the experience?

    Artistic guidance with a artistic Mentor (a professional dance artist), who will attend and advise during: 
     
    I. A composition kick-off class 
    II. Two group showings of each choreographer’s work
    III. One dedicated hour-long rehearsal-visit for each artist at ODC
    IV. One additional dedicated session with each artist (TBD)
    IV. A post-performance artistic wrap-up session
     
    In addition to artistic guidance, the group is further mentored by resident ODC staff professionals with production seminars in PR, marketing, technical and digital production, box office, events coordination, and professional theater relationships to help foster self-presenting skills. 

    Additionally each artist will receive: 

    I. 12 hours studio space per artist at no charge, with 50% off of studio space for any time after*
    II. $600 Artistic Stipend
    III. Small discretionary fund for production related expenses for group as a whole 

    * Each selected choreographer will work with ODC’s Front Desk Team starting in Mid-September, to schedule and manage their studio time. Pilot Artists are encouraged to schedule time well in advance to best access studio-availability. 
     

  • How long does my choreographed work need to be? 

    Our only requirement is that no piece can be over 10 minutes in length.

  • What is the performance Space?

    This 3,000-square-foot studio is a studio theater and rehearsal space with retractable seating for 94 audience members. 

    Event capacity – 330 standing, 240 seated
    50 ft. X 61 ft.
    Theatrical sound and light system
    Retractable bleachers 
    Light grey Marley floor
    Mirrors, barres, retractable drapery

  • What kind of tech is available?

    Pilot is designed to be a “low-tech” performance. That being said, a Production Manager/Lighting Designer is hired who gives each piece a special look with the capacity for some internal cues. Artist should not rely on complex light design nor have heavy tech or equipment needs as there is only 1 hour tech time per artist. 

    Live music is possible with only minimal tech setup needs.

    We often discourage the use of projections since there is such limited tech time per artist and Studio B does not have an extensive digital capacity. 

    All technical needs must be discussed and approved by the Production Manager well in advance.

  • Marketing, equipment, and videographer costs?

    The group is given a minimal budget for the entire production and it must be spent on items that benefit the entire group with cohort consensus (production equipment, videographer, flyer printing, etc.). Pilot is promoted by the participating artists, though ODC does promote through its marketing channels. 

  • Does ODC have a dancer audition for Pilot?

    Unfortunately this is not currently possible on our end and it is the responsibility of each Pilot artist to recruit their own dancers.

  • Do I get comps for the show?

    Space is limited and the only comps released for the performances are for those people who have donated time to the whole group (i.e. volunteer photographer, outside design work for a flyer, etc.).