2027 Collective Realities Auditions
RESILIENCE Dance Company will hold auditions on Sunday, September 20th, 2026 from 1:30pm - 6pm at St. Louis Academy of Dance for Collective Realities - a company choreographed, community performed repertory concert taking place Feb. 5-7, 2027 at Intersect Arts Center in St. Louis, MO.
Approximately 15-28 contracted positions will be available
CR is open to dancers 18+; the audition is free to attend
Rates: $17.50/hr for rehearsals, hired as a 1099 contractor. Additional $150 stipend performance pay.
Rehearsal Schedule: 20-30hrs between Nov. 2026 and Feb. 2027. Determined by each choreographer.
Tech & Performances: Feb. 1st - 4th evening tech/dress rehearsals; Feb. 5th - 7th evening performances.
Resources and Healthcare: Free access to mini-PT sessions through RDC's partnership with Athletico; free access to company classes for the duration of the project; free access to mini-Massage Therapy sessions through Kip Taylor Massage Therapy.
Pre-Register for the Audition below:
What is Collective Realities?
Collective Realities launched in 2024 as a way to expand RDC's community, invite more dancers into process with the company, and platform Company Artists through an uninhibited, fully supported creative opportunity.
Testimonial from a 2024/25 Dancer
"Collective Realities was collaborative, spirited, thought-provoking, liberating, and empowering. Discussing self identity, improvising and exploring in the early stages of Reneé's piece, experiencing what the other choreographers had to share, coming together for warm up class, freestyling backstage during the show, meeting new people and sharing stories about our different backgrounds and shared experiences--this show was a lot more than a performance for me. It really embodied what dance is all about." Mandy W., past CR participant
Currently, there are 6 RDC Company Artists planning to choreograph works, whether individually or collaboratively: Chrissy Clair, Josiah Gundersen, Abbi LeBaube, Lexie Hoehn, Nathan Krueger, and Michelle Parkhurst. In addition, Artistic Director Emily Haussler will also be creating a new, short-form work on a blended company and community cast.
What to Expect
12:30pm: St. Louis Academy of Dance opens for check-in
1pm: Studio opens for warm-up
1:30pm - 2:30pm: Contemporary Center Class
2:35pm - 3:05pm: Choreographer Module 1
3:05pm - 3:35pm: Choreographer Module 2
3:35pm - 3:45pm: Break
3:45pm - 4:15pm: Choreographer Module 3
4:15pm - 4:45pm: Choreographer Module 4
4:45pm - 4:55pm: Break
4:55pm - 5:25pm: Choreographer Module 5
5:25pm - 5:55pm: Choreographer Module 6
5:55pm - 6pm: Wrap-Up
Come prepared to learn phrase work, improvise as soloists and as a group, explore partnering interactions, and more. We invite you to come open-minded and with the intention of fully participating. You may sit out of portions of the audition if you don't feel comfortable or prepared; however, note that choreographers may be reviewing dancers outside their own modules.
Bring a water bottle and plenty of snacks, knee pads and long layers for floorwork, and be prepared to dance barefoot.
2027/28 Company Auditions
RDC will announce whether or not we will have Company Positions available for the 2027/28 Season no later than January 31st.
If Company Positions are available, we will hold full, in-person auditions - most likely in St. Louis, MO and Chicago, IL - on weekend days in February and March. Company Auditions typically run from 9am - 1pm, with callbacks from 2pm - 4:30pm. Auditions are free to attend and historically open. Depending on interest, RDC may opt to pre-screen applicants via a video submission as part of our pre-registration process. This will be communicated no later than January 31st.
If Company Positions are not available, we will host a pay-what-you-can Audition Workshop in March in St. Louis, MO, to give dancers a chance to connect with the company and learn more about our audition process.
Regardless of whether or not spots are available, the dates of the Audition/Audition Workshop will be announced in December 2026 to allow dancers time to plan travel.
If you are interested in auditioning for Resilience, please submit the form below to be notified when there are audition updates.
Email ehaussler@resiliencedancecompany.com with questions
General Employment Details
Rates: $17.50/hr*, W2 Employment. Paid hours include classes, rehearsals, and performances. Small performance bonuses and touring per diems offered as well.
Rehearsal Schedule: Mon-Th 9am - 1pm*
Typical Season: August - May
Resources and Healthcare: Free access to regular physical therapy, group mental health therapy, and massage therapy; Individual mental health counseling twice a month for a $15/session copay
Performances & Opportunities: 2-4 mainstage performance series & 4-6 community performances per season
Opportunities to choreograph, teach, and tour
*Final rates and schedule will be confirmed in offered contracts, and may be updated prior to the audition
RDC looks for professional, confident dancers with distinct and developed artistic voices, who are excited to work collaboratively in modern, contemporary, and improvisational dance. Strong candidates will have professional experience and functional skills in contemporary partnering, floorwork, and release techniques.
We are excited by artists who are skilled choice-makers, who move with presence and intention, and who show up as their full, authentic selves in the creative process.
All Identities Welcome
RESILIENCE Dance Company values and upholds individuals as their full and authentic selves. We welcome, include, and uplift diversity in all its forms, knowing that a diverse community of artists is essential to progressing the dance industry forward to a more equitable, accessible space. RDC works to create tangible platforms, opportunities, and programs that further promote our mission of inclusivity. We acknowledge the need for continual work, embracing critical reflection, conversation, and change.
Questions?
We always aim to be fully transparent, especially during the audition process. Please don't hesitate to reach out to Emily at ehaussler@resiliencedancecompany.com with any questions, concerns, or accommodation requests.
Auditions open to those 18+.