COCA’s Choreographic Lab, launched by Co-Artistic Directors of Dance Antonio Douthit-Boyd and Kirven Douthit-Boyd, supports the creative process of emerging choreographers. The Lab focuses on developing the choreographic and teaching practices of select COCA alumni.
The Fall 2021 engagement will run September 27–November 7 and provides training and mentorship for one COCA alum.
Once selected, the choreographer will join the COCA faculty—teaching advanced classical and codified techniques. They will create works for Ballet Eclectica and COCAdance, two of COCA’s Pre-Professional Division student dance companies, and engage with mentors over the course of a six-week period. Culmination of the Lab will be an informal showcase of the choreography (November 4–6) where the alum will have the opportunity to share details of their experience. A full production of the work will be presented in COCA’s annual spring dance concert TRIumphant.
Choreographic Lab Mentors
Claudia Schreier: 2018 Princess Grace Award Winner, Artistic Director of Claudia Schreier & Company, Choreographer in Residence at Atlanta Ballet
Gemma Bond: Former member of American Ballet Theatre, 2020 Bessie Award Winner for Breakout Choreographer
Tommie Waheed Evans: Former member of Philadanco and Complexions Contemporary Ballet, 2021 Guggenheim Fellow, Professor of Studio Practice at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, and Artistic Director of Waheed Works
Jamar Roberts: June 2021 Cover/Feature story in Dance Magazine, 2016 Bessie Award Winner for Outstanding Dance Performance, Former member of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Resident Choreographer for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Application Process
COCA alumni looking to develop new work and explore the creative process are invited to apply for the Choreographic Lab. Applicants must express a vision for the kind of work they wish to create and be open to dialogue with Artistic Directors, and other professional mentors, to shift through ideas and concepts.
Application deadline: July 2, 2021
The application period for the Fall 2021 Choreographic Lab is now closed.
Questions about Choreographic Lab or the application process?
Contact Kirven Douthit-Boyd at kdouthit-boyd@cocastl.org.