Austin, Texas. The Live Music Capital of the World, the home of Dell, Austin City Limits, the technology boom, SXSW and Ballet Austin. Artistic Director Stephen Mills announces the fifth biennial New American Talent/Dance choreographic competition. This event brings the country's most compelling young artists to Austin to showcase new work before a nationally renowned jury and live audiences. You are cordially invited to submit your work for consideration.

New American Talent/Dance Interactive Explore the first two New American Talent/Dance competitions. See video excerpts and hear what the choreographers had to say about their experiences. Launch interactive micro-site.

New American Talent/Dance Choreographer Series Learn more about the choreographers, dancers and work from our 2012 competition. View video #1, Gregory Dolbashian View video #2, Loni Landon View video #3, Bradley Shelver

Guidelines
For consideration by our panel all applicants must meet the following criteria:

•	21 years of age or older
•	American citizen or landed immigrant
•	Must be available to be in Austin, Texas for one day of casting, two consecutive weeks of rehearsal, and one week of staging the work for the theater and performances (including adjudication). (see dates in Evaluation and Residency section)
•	No employee or family member of Ballet Austin is eligible to apply
•	Applications must be postmarked no later than March 30, 2013.

Application:
• Complete the application form

• Provide a personal statement (not to exceed two pages; font: 12pt) describing:

·	Summary/abstract of proposed work*
·	Format/structure of proposed work
·	Music/composer*
·	Number of dancers (maximum of 8)
·	Length of work (maximum 20 minutes/minimum 15 minutes)
·	Significance of this opportunity to one's choreographic career
·	Two samples of past choreographic works, not to exceed a total of 10 minutes in length. Each sample must include 4-5 continuous minutes of each work. The work should be on a DVD labeled with the following information:
	»	Applicant's name/Title of the work
	»	Date of performance/Performing artists represented on video

•  Include a $50 entrance fee (payable to Ballet Austin)

*As the focus of New American Talent/Dance is on choreographic content, applicants are advised to submit work with minimal scenic and costume requirements and music with easily attainable rights. Ballet Austin will not provide funds for commissioned scores.

• All questions should be submitted to newamericantalent@balletaustin.org. No phone calls, please.

• Mail completed application packet and fee to:

Ballet Austin
New American Talent/Dance
501 W. 3rd St.
Austin, TX 78701

Evaluation and Residency

•	Ballet Austin will select and notify three finalists by April 30, 2013.
•	Finalists will participate in a 1-day casting call (not including travel) with Ballet Austin's dancers in October, 2013. (followed immediately by the first two-week residency).
•	Finalists will complete a 2-week choreographic residency (40 hours of rehearsal) in Austin in October (2013), February (2014), or March (2014). The order of residencies will be based on the availability of the finalists however you must be available in October, February, and March until the final order is determined. Lack of availability may affect your eligibility to participate in this project.
•	Finalists must provide an edited, performance-quality, original source of music to Ballet Austin 30 days prior to commencement of choreographic residency.
•	Lighting and costume designers will be provided by Ballet Austin and will be available for consultation during choreographic residency.
•	Travel, accommodation, per diem, and a fee of $2000 will be provided for each finalist.

Performance and Awards:

•	During production week (March 24-30, 2014), finalists must return to Austin to mount their work on stage and to participate in media and community events.
•	The completed works will be performed by Ballet Austin at the Long Center for the Performing Arts in Austin, Texas March 28-30, 2014.
•	Finalist will be eligible for one of three cash prize awards ($6,000, $5,000, $4,000) to be awarded following the premiere.
•	Additional prize money will be awarded to the choreographer garnering the most audience votes.