Call for Performances - The 37th Annual International Conference and Festival of Blacks in Dance

The Call for Performances invites dance artists and companies, as well as those associated with colleges, conservatories, high schools, studios and universities to take the stage in a celebration of Black heritage, culture, and community. Member artists and organizations are invited to submit concert dance works for an opportunity to showcase their work at the Annual Conference and Festival. Submitted works should address the conference and festival theme, The Third Coast, Our Community in Motion.

We welcome concert dance works that embrace the lineage, spirit, and creative breadth of the Black dance tradition. We are seeking choreography and works that:

Embrace themes of ancestry, community, land, renewal and legacy
Celebrate the richness and diversity of Black movement vocabularies
Center embodied storytelling
Demonstrate choreographic clarity, artistic integrity, and intentionality
Spark intergenerational dialogue

Companies and artists may submit for a chance to perform at one (1) of the four (4) performance opportunities:

Thursday, January 21, 2027 – Youth & Collegiate Showcase
Friday, January 22, 2027 – Established Artists Showcase
Saturday, January 23, 2027 – Founders & Invited Guests Showcase
Sunday, January 24, 2027 - Gospel Showcase

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Complete submissions will include:

Dance artists and companies as well as ensembles affiliated with colleges, conservatories, high schools, studios, or universities are encouraged to apply.

Performance applicants must meet the following requirements:

Membership with IABD is required, and participants must have at least three (3) years of professional performing experience.
Non-U.S. based companies must have current membership
U.S. based companies must have two (2) consecutive years of membership
Complete all contact information (name, title, mailing/email address, and telephone number)
Resume/CV and bio with individual name or group name
Complete footage (rehearsal or performance) and a brief description of the proposed work
Performance time length:

Submissions will be scored on:

Choreography - Does the choreography present a clear artistic vision with originality and intentional structure?
Technique - Do the dancers demonstrate technical clarity, control, and appropriate skill for the style and level?
Performance Quality - Do the performers fully embody the movement and connect expressively with the audience and intent?
Overall Impression - Does the piece feel complete, cohesive, and leave a lasting artistic impression?
Recent Festival Participation - Has your company or work been presented at a recent conference and festival?

Please note the following:

Music: Please be advised that you will need to obtain all necessary permissions and licenses for the use of music in your performance. IABD, the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project and Deeply Rooted Dance Theater are not responsible and will not pay music royalty fees.
Any special technical requirements are the responsibility of the applicant.
A link to the completed work to be presented, as well as any passwords for viewing, if applicable.
Failure to provide a timestamp for a submission that exceeds the specified time limit may result in a reduced adjudication score.
If your performance requires additional instruments of any type, you and/or your organization is financially responsible for the rental. You are responsible for providing your own special effects (fog machines, hazers, etc.). Neither IABD nor the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project and Deeply Rooted Dance Theater will be responsible for providing any special effects or additional equipment. This includes, but is not limited to, providing stage props, specialty technical equipment that we do not already have in inventory, set pieces, and any additional materials or personnel needed for their performance.
IABD, the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project and Deeply Rooted Dance Theater reserve the right to accept applications based on appropriateness to the event.
IABD, the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project and Deeply Rooted Dance Theater make every effort to provide a safe performance venue. However, IABD, the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project and Deeply Rooted Dance Theater will assume no responsibility for injury during performance as well as acts of nature.

DEADLINE: Friday, September 18, 2026 at 10AM EST

Email questions to: conference@iabdassociation.org | Subject line: Call For Performances

Follow us on: