AT A GLANCE

The ECS program encompasses five main elements: 

1. SPACE GRANT 

Each choreographer receives up to 45 hours of free rehearsal space (including up to 10 hours of rehearsal on stage), administered through Mare Nostrum Elements’ partnerships with the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (LPAC), American Tap Dance Foundation, and other sponsoring and venues. 

2. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & MENTORSHIP 

Participants receive consultations, workshops, and hands-on advice from working professionals on staging, directing, writing, costumes, lighting, arts administration, and finance. Each choreographer is assigned a personal mentor, an established professional of their choice (not guaranteed), to support them in the creation process. Mentors are compensated by MNE. Once the rehearsal process starts, participants meet every week to brainstorm with peers and share feedback on their works in-progress. Three weeks before the show, participants present their works in-progress to a panel of established choreographers who provide feedback and suggestions. 

3. PRODUCTION BUDGET 

Each choreographer is allotted a modest choreographer fee of at least $1,000. Performers are paid $15/hr for rehearsals (upto 45 hours) along with an additional stipend of $250 paid for tech, dress, and performances. MNE encourages and will provide logistical help for individual fundraisers to raise money for additional collaborators and cover 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. This year the performance format is TBD and might be virtual or align with COVID-19 guidelines at the time of performance. There is a possibility of a third showing to be added including a Q&A (date and venue TBD.) 

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. They meet every week for consultations, check-ins, and feedback sessions. 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 of the Emerging Choreographer Series that aims to facilitate mutual support, feedback and networking beyond the ECS program. Activities may include: marketing & promotional support, networking & social events, studio showings and feedback showings, peer circles, participation in the selection process for new ECS choreographers, and more as desired by Alumni Choreographers. In the past, several choreographers have been selected by our community partners to perform at their venues and festivals such as NuVu Dance Festival, the International Human Rights Arts Festival, CUNY Dance Initiative, Current Sessions, IDaCo nyc, Green Space Bloom Festival, Fini Dance NYC, Neighborhood Playhouse, and more.