Tapestries Choreographic Program

About the Tapestries Program

Tapestries 11.0 Key Dates

Tapestries 11.0 will feature three emerging choreographers’ dance creations presented by Threads Dance Project in the Spring of 2027.

Key Dates:

  • September 18, 2026: Applications Open

  • October 16, 11:59 pm 2026: Applications Close

  • November 30, 2026: Tapestries & Patterns Choreographers are announced

  • January 7: Auditions, Casting, & Choreographer Meeting

  • February/March: Rehearsals in 3-week blocks, TBD

  • April: Review Rehearsals, Dress and Tech Rehearsals

  • April 26-May 2 : Tech week with shows on April 30, May 1, & May 2

Tapestries is an illustrious artist development program designed to nurture future generations of dance choreographers as they strive to become professionals in the field. Threads provides a much-needed avenue for emerging choreographers to take center stage in the world of professional choreography. The goal of the program is to change the profile of who receives and is recognized for national choreographic opportunities through a special emphasis on women* and artists of color. 

After 10 years of success supporting emerging choreographers, the Tapestries program continues to evolve. Tapestries will extend its Patterns Program into a second year, with plans to continue cultivating the nationally renowned choreographers of tomorrow.

  • Tapestries Emerging Choreographers Program will commission three (3) emerging choreographers based in either Minnesota or NYC for Tapestries 11.0. They will be selected by an expert panel of dance/community leaders to create new works for the company’s spring season under the guidance of Artistic/Executive Director Karen L. Charles and additional feedback from their peer choreographers. The program is organized so emerging choreographers experience a professional commissioning process. The time frame, technical support, and ability to work with professional dancers, designers, and mentors provide a unique, professional choreographic experience. This immersive program prepares participants for future success in the field.

    Questions? Email Maddy Harper at mharper@threadsdance.org

    Video Link: What is Tapestries Emerging Choreographer Program?

    To Apply: Scroll down to the Tapestries 11.0 Application & Eligibility section for detailed instructions. Applications are due Friday, October 16th, 11:59 pm 2026.

  • Tapestries Patterns Program will again return for its second year as part of Tapestries 11.0. Patterns aims to support budding choreographers—particularly those transitioning from student to professional. The Patterns Program is designed to meet the needs of high-potential dance makers deemed not yet ready for the Tapestries Emerging Choreographers Program, whether due to experience or other factors.

    Patterns choreographers will receive differentiated supports better aligned to their stage of development, including:

    • Up to 15 hrs. of subsidized studio rental time

    • Access to choreographic workshops hosted by Threads

    • Comp tickets to professional dance performances

    Questions? Email: Maddy Harper at mharper@threadsdance.org

  • Anticipated launch in 2028—Stay tuned!

*Threads Dance Project recognizes the diversity and complexity of womanhood. If you identify with womanhood or gender-expansive ideas of it, you are welcome to apply. This includes trans and gender-expansive individuals.

Tapestries/Patterns Application

**Note: Applications for Tapestries & the Tapestries Patterns Program must be submitted using the same form — coming soon.

Tapestries 11.0

Application & Eligibility

    • Three (3) Emerging Choreographers will be selected.

    • Dates of Residency: January 2027 to April 2027 – 3-week residency per choreographer plus feedback and peer review session.

    • Rehearsals: Mondays and Tuesdays 10:30am-12:30pm, and Thursdays 10:00am-12:30pm at the Threads Dance Nexus in Minneapolis.

    • Performance Dates: April 30-May 2, 2027 at The Southern Theater in Minneapolis.

    • $2,000 choreography commission fee to create a new work of up to 15 minutes in length.

    • Minimum of 2 public performances of finished work.

    • Costume, Lighting Design, and Music Rights expenses are covered. Additional technical support (i.e., music editing, heavy lighting needs, video design, projection, scenic design, hazer/fogger) is at the choreographer’s expense.

    • A mandatory in-person Introductory Meeting is scheduled with the other selected choreographers from 12:30-1:30 PM on January 7, 2027.

    • Choreographers who live outside the Twin Cities must provide their own accommodations and transportation for full participation in the program.

  • Interested applicants must:

    • Have 2-10 years of generative experience (outside of college programs)

    • Be at least 21 years of age

    • Have not had an established company for more than 3 years OR have not had work professionally presented more than 4 times.

    • Are a legal resident of MN or the 5 legal boroughs of NYC.

    • Be available for the entire duration of your residency and tech week (January-May 1, 2027).

    • Have not been a Tapestries choreographer within the last 2 years.

    • Choreography proposal is an original new work and is not a previously created work, remount, revival, or new interpretation of pre-existing material.

    • Attend casting audition for choreographers - 9 AM-12:30 PM and a Choreographers meeting 12:30-1:30 PM on January 7, 2027

    • Attend 3 Mandatory peer review sessions.

  • All materials must be submitted via the online application form due Friday October 16 , 11:59 pm 2026:

    The application consists of 3 parts:

    Part 1: Resume/CV (2 Page Limit)
    Part 2: Proposal for Work
    Part 3: Link to work samples

    1. Resume/CV: 1-2 Page Resume/CV should include past performance experience, past choreographic works, awards and recognitions, and education/training.  Acceptable file types: pdf, doc, docx.   Bios are unacceptable." No more than the first two pages of the submitted resume/CV will be reviewed by the panelists.

    2. Choreographer Information and Proposal for Work:
      Submit completed Tapestries 11.0 Application Form. Be sure to include your rehearsal block preference:

      -February 1-18

      -February 2 - March 11

      -March 15 - April 1

    3. Work Samples:
      Link to 2 – 3 work samples, uploaded to Vimeo or another platform. Full-length works are preferred over edited excerpts. One work sample must be of a full-length, completed work. All samples must be video of the applicant’s own choreography. Work Samples should be no more than 20 minutes.

    4. Letters of Support:
      Applicant may choose to include up to three (3) Letters of Support. One page each. Acceptable file types: pdf, doc, docx.

Tapestries/Patterns Application

Tapestries Patterns Program

  • For the Tapestries Patterns Program, two (2) high-potential semi-finalists will be selected from the pool of Tapestries 11.0 applicants and invited to participate in 2027.

    • Dates of Residency: January 2027 – September 2027

    • Space Subsidy: Each Patterns choreographer will be allotted up to 15 hrs. of space at the Threads Dance Nexus. Studio use is designated for choreographers’ research, rehearsal, and/or informal showings of their work during their residency.

    • Choreographers will receive mentorship through choreographic workshops hosted by Threads.

    • Free admission to 2-4 local/national dance performances across the Twin Cities to expand the choreographer’s exposure and knowledge of how dances are crafted and presented.

     Patterns Program requirements include:

    • Create work for an in-progress showing at the Threads Dance NEXUS in July - September 2027.

    • Attend mandatory meeting to discuss goals and progress.