“ChoreoLab – Made in Ulm 2020”. 249 Choreographic Failures.


UPDATE: AT THIS POINT THE CHOREOLAB WILL BE GOING AHEAD AS PLANNED. DUE TO THE CORONA VIRUS PANDEMIC THE DEADLINE FOR THE ONLINE APPLICATIONS HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO THE 30TH OF APRIL 2020. WE LOOK FORWARD TO RECEIVING YOUR APPLICATION. ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS PLEASE DO NO HESITATE TO CONTACT US MOVINGRHIZOMES@GMAIL.COM STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY.

Photography by © Guido Stuch guidostuchphoto.com

Following the success of the choreographic works created, sold out performances and critical acclaim we are proud to announce our second open call for “ChoreoLab – Made in Ulm” in 2020. We are offering up to three choreographic residency opportunities to talented upcoming dance makers. This is an open call to choreographers up to 35 years young on the 21st of August 2020. We will commission talented emerging creators and give them the opportunity to conceptualise, create, execute and premier their work in a black box stage with four professional dancers. You will be collaborating with local choreographer Pablo Sansalvador to create an evening of dance inspired by this years theme and title: ‘249 Choreographic Failures’ (249CF). 

The 2020 theme is in memory of Albrecht Ludwig Berblinger’s 250th birthday. Berblinger was an ingenious and a risk-taking inventor from Ulm. Better known as „Schneider von Ulm“ he went down in history in 1811 for his failed flight attempt. 

As part of the anniversary celebrations „Berblinger 2020” is generating artistic works based on innovation, inventiveness, courage and adaptability in our urban society. Berblinger’s resilience through failure is what defined him and what inspires us. “ChoreoLab – Made in Ulm” is honouring Berblinger by inviting dance makers to create choreography from a leaping off point that we constantly try to avoid; Failure.

We invite dance makers, choreographers, film-makers and artists to connect to create a 60 second short film demonstrating a ‘Choreographic Failure’. A jury will select 10 finalists of whom each will be awarded 100 euros for their efforts. Then the ten shortlisted films will be shared in a public space where people from Ulm can watch each film and vote for whom they would like to see awarded the residency. We have up to three one week residencies to offer.

Be brave, there is no wrong way to fail.

How do I apply?

Applicants are invited to create and upload a Vimeo or Youtube link representing a 60 second short film/documentation of what a ‘choreographic failure‘ is to them.

Please fill-out the application form below where you can add your video link before the deadline @ 2359hrs on the 30th of March 2020 https://forms.gle/KdjUymwCLBdNTpF46

How will the winners of the residency be selected? 

A jury will select 10 finalists by the end of May and each will be awarded a 100 euros. From these 10 finalists, up to three choreographers will be democratically selected by members of the public of Ulm.

The Jury for the selection of the 10 finalists will consist of Reiner Feistel (Chefchoreograf und Künstlerischer Leiter vom Ballett Ulm), Karla Nierad (Leiterin des Stadthaus Ulm), Tommi Brem (curator, artists, designer) Steffi Bichweiler and Michael Mutschler (ROXY), coordinated by Pablo Sansalvador (Founder of ChoreoLab – Made in Ulm).

The jury will use the following criteria to select the 10 finalists.

1. Interpretation and the clarity of the theme to the viewer.

2. Creativity and originality of the depicted theme.

3. Quality of artistic composition and overall design based on the theme.

4. Overall impression and execution of the film/documentation.

*Please insure that the link is downloadable. We suggest you use Vimeo as Plus, Pro, Business, and Premium members have the option to enable their videos for download. https://vimeo.com/336853299

What does the residency offer?

-A modest fee for the creation of your work

-A travel budget to Ulm and local accommodation during your stay

-Four professional dancers to create the piece

-A creation week with a minimum of 32 hours rehearsal with the four dancers, inside the performance space

-A professional recording of your piece and a 60 second trailer

-Photographic documentation of your creation week and performance

-A ‘production week’ to establish lighting, costumes and final rehearsals

-Press release and press reviews

-Rehearsal and performance space

We are happy to provide letters of support if you are in a position to apply for funds to cover extra travel costs.


When will the residency take place?

There will be four creation weeks and one production week in 2020:

Creation Week 1: 20-25 July 

Creation Week 2: 27th of July to the 1st of August 

Creation Week 3: 3-8 of August

Creation Week 4: 10-15 of August

Production Week 5: 17-20 of August*

Performances @ 1900hrs on the 21,22,23 of August*

*Important: apart from the creation week, choreographers are required to be there for the entire production week and all three performances from the 17-23 August. Inside the online application you will be invited to state your preferred creation week.

Where will the residency and performance take place?

ROXY Ulm (LABOR 1|12) non-profit GmbH

Schillerstraße 1/12, 89077 Ulm, Germany

If you are offered the choreographic residency what requirements must you meet?

-Under the age of 36 years on the 21st of August 2020

-The capacity to portray this years ‘ChoreoLab – Made in Ulm’ theme ‘Choreographic Failure’ in a original and engaging manner

-An ability to create quality choreographic material under tight time restrictions

-The capability to work as a team player within a professional environment

-The capacity to create an original work with a duration between 12- 15 minutes

-Skills at creating your own lighting and executing a technical and production rehearsals efficiently

-Have a track record of previous choreographic works

-Appreciate the value in having the local community watch open rehearsals and previews of your work. 

-Have ambition and vision to present and perform the work you created for the ‘ChoreoLab-Made in Ulm’ in other venues, festivals, theatres and choreographic competitions etc…

Partially completed applications will not be accepted. You are welcome to complete the application in German or English. Inside the application you will be asked to state your preference of creation week. The 10 finalists will be announced before the end of May and the residencies will be awarded by the 15th of June 2020 via email. We are happy to reply to any questions via movingrhizomes@gmail.com

The aim of 249CF is to consciously identify, describe, create, share and perform failure through choreographic movement and dance. In our society there is a constant search for approval and acknowledgement of being ‘successful’ which is often short sighted and counter productive. It is only through countless failures that triumph can be attained. Often ‘failure’ has a negative connotation and the absence of visible failures puts enormous amounts of pressure on individuals to only demonstrate a success. 

The ‘ChoreoLab – Made in Ulm’ encourages open discourse between the choreographer and viewer. Therefore we will be striving to initiate active participation by members of the public during the creative process.

This ‘ChoreoLab – Made in Ulm’ production is in collaboration with ROXY Ulm (LABOR 1|12) non-profit GmbH, Moving Rhizomes e.V. and Stadt Ulm

To apply, please complete the following link: https://forms.gle/HDqStS5BV2g5VPGSA

Costs for participants: This is a paid opportunity for up to three choreographers.

For further information please visit:

http://ceciliaespejo.de/choreolab/