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Tips for a Great Festival Application

by Director Beth McKee Elliott

As festival application season approaches, I eagerly anticipate reviewing the impressive work you all submit. We understand the dedication and passion you bring to your craft, and we thoughtfully assess each entry.

Drawing from my experience in reviewing hundreds of festival applications over the past 14 years at Small Plates, I’m pleased to share some essential tips to enhance your applications.

Read the Application Requirements

Every venue and performance has specific requirements. Ensure that your submission meets these parameters. If you plan to adapt your piece, for instance, by shortening it, altering the cast, or removing a video element, please use the “Is there anything else you would like us to know?” section in the application to clearly communicate your plans.

Submit the Intended Performance Piece

We curate our performances with a holistic approach, considering how each dance contributes to the overall program. While a montage or compilation of various work samples may showcase your style, it does not provide insight into how a specific piece will fit into the collage of other submitted work.

Video Submission Tips

A video of a fully produced, stage-lit performance is ideal, but we also welcome studio footage of a work-in-progress. Be sure to indicate the “front” of the dance.

• Use a Static Camera Angle: Avoid choreographed camera movements that obscure how your dance will appear on stage. At Small Plates, we often keep technical elements minimal, emphasizing the artists and their dancing. Allow the essence, meaning, and purpose of your choreography to shine through in your submission.

Works in Progress

We are enthusiastic about works still in development but prioritize complete pieces that demonstrate a well-defined concept and direction. If your video features a work-in-progress, please outline your vision and plans for completion within the application.

Don’t Hesitate to Ask Questions

If you have any inquiries, please feel free to contact us at smallplatesdance@gmail.com for clarification.

Feedback Matters

If your dance is not accepted, don’t be discouraged. We receive a high volume of applications for each performance, and it’s inevitable that we must decline many outstanding works. We consider each dance independent of other factors – including whether the choreographer has participated in Small Plates before. Our adjudicators are always willing to provide feedback to help you understand why your piece wasnʻt chosen, and to help you develop your work.

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