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Pilot Episodes
An Experimental Lab

November - December 2023

Six creators will have their first opportunity to collaborate with TDT’s company dancers in the fourth edition of TDT’s Pilot Episodes. A series of immersive one-week residencies, each creator will get to experiment and take artistic risks in the studio without the pressure of producing a finished work.

This style of residency is great for creators who are looking to challenge their choreographic practices and work intensively on their process and approach. Applications are now closed for the 2023/24 season. Thank you to everyone who has applied and expressed their interest.

Thank you to the Lindy Green Family Foundation for generously supporting this artist development program.


Call to Artists:  Pilot Episodes

Application Deadline: Wednesday September 13, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. EDT

Initiated by Tedd Robinson and Andrew Tay in 2020 to support independent artists when so few performance opportunities existed due to the pandemic, Pilot Episodes welcomes choreographers or creators to have their first experience collaborating with members of the TDT ensemble. Now entering its fourth iteration, 6 artists will be selected to participate during the 2023/24 season.

Project Summary

Each choreographer selected for the project will be given one week to explore their ideas on 4-5 of TDT’s company dancers. In addition, there will be several planned sessions with Artistic Director Andrew Tay. These “meet ups” will take the form of shared meals or casual hangouts, and they will serve to encourage discussion and artistic reflection outside of the more formal studio working periods. Each selected participant will receive $1280 as an artistic fee for the week.

Each week will culminate with an open rehearsal, as part of our effort to generate engaging discussions around working methods and choreographic processes.

Who should Apply?

  • Independent artists who do not currently receive operational funding
  • Artists interested in questioning their practice and how they are approaching choreography and performance
  • Artists interested in recognizing their habits and biases, who want to discover new tools for creation as well as hone their skills working with dancers and collaborators in the studio
  • Artists who may not normally have the chance to create work on a larger ensemble cast
  • Priority given to artists based in Toronto or who have access to accommodation in the city and are willing to travel (the project does not provide travel or accommodation fees)

Project Dates (please specify which weeks you are available when applying)

Week 1: November 27 – December 1, 2023
Week 2: December 4 – 8, 2023
Week 3: December 11 – 15, 2023

What is Offered

  • $1280 as an artistic fee for the week
  • 5 days to create work and experiment on 3 of TDT’s company dancers (Monday to Friday)
  • Option to participate in company classes or workshops during the week
  • Support throughout the process by Andrew Tay, as well as personal consultation in the form of shared meals or hang out sessions.

The Selection Process

  • A selection committee will consist of a representative from the TDT ensemble, Artistic Director Andrew Tay and a member of the Toronto dance community (not affiliated with TDT) to evaluate the applications
  • Priority will be given to artists who have never worked on the full TDT ensemble
  • The selection committee will consider the overall programming of the Pilot Episodes series in their decision making, including factors such as gender parity and diversity of backgrounds and approaches when selecting artists
  • Please note that the availability of the applicant will also be a factor taken into consideration.
  • All applicants will be notified of the results by October 5, 2023

Please be advised that the Winchester Street Theatre is unfortunately not barrier-free. You can visit TDT’s accessibility webpage for further details.

Applications must be submitted electronically through the Google form by Wednesday September 13, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. ET: https://forms.gle/xi9XBgy9J92J5VJC8

  • If you require an alternative format to help complete the application process, please email jasmine@tdt.org and we can provide the application questions in an email, Word document or PDF

Inquiries about Pilot Episodes or the application process? Please contact jasmine@tdt.org

2023/24 Participants

To be announced Fall 2023 after Call to Artists

Past Participants

Rodney Diverlus

Photo by Maxim Kopanygin

Rodney Diverlus

(Winter 2021)

Photo of man wearing black shirt and looking to the side

Bradley Eng

(Fall 2021)

Ralph Escamillan posing

Photo by David Cooper and lighting by Daria Mikhaylyuk

Ralph Escamillan

(Fall 2021)

Celia Green

Photo by Holly Chang

Celia Green

(Fall 2021)

Syreeta Hector

Photo by David Leyes

Syreeta Hector

(Spring 2022)

black-and-white portrait of Winnie Ho

Photo by Tazzo Paris

Winnie Ho

(Spring 2023)

Portrait of Kelly-Ann Johnson

Photo by Toronto Edits

Kelly-Ann Johnson

(Spring 2023)

Portrait of Kin Nguien and AJ Velasco, the artists of KINAJ collective

Photo by Axel Villamil

KINAJ

(Spring 2023)

Woman's face blurred with colors

Photo by Fran Chudnoff

Jennifer Laiwint

(Fall 2021)

Portrait of Victoria Mackenzie

Photo by Do Phan Hoi

Victoria Mackenzie

(Spring 2023)

Portrait of Chenise Mitchell

Photo by Rolando Argueta

Chenise Mitchell

(Spring 2023)

Headshot photo of woman wearing colorful dress

Photo by Sean Harrison

Miss Coco Murray

(Fall 2021)

Photo of man wearing white face paint and looking into a mirror

Photo by Peter Van Heesen

Zac / Sylv Myst

(Fall 2021)

Atri Nundy

Photo by Michael Mortley

Atri Nundy

(Fall 2021)

Camille Rojas

Photo by Andrew Savery-Whiteway

Camille Rojas

(Spring 2022)

Angela Schubot

Photo by Hadi Gulshan

Angela Schubot

(Winter 2021)

Portrait of Eilish Shin-Culhane

Photo by Aidan Tooth

Eilish Shin-Culhane

(Spring 2023)

b solomon colored in red and cyan filters

Photo by Yvonne Chew

b solomon

(Fall 2021)

Photo of sitting person looking at the camera in yellow sweater

Photo by Kristen-Innes Stambolic

Tyra Temple-Smith

(Fall 2021)

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