In this workshop you will learn:
A topical session on the subject of auditioning within the dance world with our expert Susan McDonald & your peers.
Who am I when I dance? Where do I want to move to? What is the next step in the right direction? This coaching supports you in defining your own goals within your dance career and in mobilizing resources to realize them. Isa Wortelkamp will offer tools for self-reflection and set impulses so that you can use your abilities on your way to your goal in a meaningful and enjoyable way.
In this workshop, you will learn f.ex.
You want to work as a professional dancer? Don’t wait for your dance career to happen to you! Take a proactive and intentional approach to build a career that aligns with YOUR values and goals. What does it mean to be a successful dancer nowadays? How do experts in dance define “real” success? How does dance culture influence the dance career and how the dancers perceive themselves and others? Build an awareness of the behaviours and attitudes that may be holding you back from achieving your dreams and identify those ressources which help you succeed.
Who am I when I dance? Where do I want to move towards? What is the next step in the right direction? In order to become aware of one's goals and to put them into practice, one needs clarity towards oneself and towards others. Isa Wortelkamp provides impulses and instruments so that you can use your abilities self-confidently on your way to your goal.
Hear from dance artists about their different career paths in dance and ask them all your questions. Coming from a range of modes and practices, they share their practical experiences navigating through the dance landscape and pivoting their work to different contexts.
You want to work as a professional dancer? Don’t wait for your dance career to happen to you! Take a proactive and intentional approach to build a career that aligns with YOUR values and goals. What does it mean to be a successful dancer nowadays? How do experts in dance define “real” success? How does dance culture influence the dance career and how the dancers perceive themselves and others? Build an awareness of the behaviours and attitudes that may be holding you back from achieving your dreams and identify those ressources which help you succeed.
Each of us has probably done it at least once: signed a contract. But do you know what you're getting into? We will give you an overview of what to look out for and what you should know before signing.
This focussed Peer Support Session is all about the Independent Dance Scene in Germany. Our expert Gabriele Reuter will be there to answer all your questions about freelancing as a dancer. Where do I meet producers? How can I improve my networking skills? How can I get funding for my own project? YOU decide what you want to talk about. Get expert advice and exchange with your peers!
The corona crisis has painfully demonstrated how important it is to understand the social security system in Germany, especially for artists with their often temporary, irregular and hybrid activities. This event will help you to get a first overview. Who is entitled to social security protection? How can you bridge gaps between jobs? What is the artists’ social security fund (KSK) and how do you get in? Who benefits from retirement insurance by the ‚Versorgungsanstalt der deutschen Bühnen‘?
Taxes - one of those things that many often dread. German bureaucracy can be particularly demanding, especially for non-German speaking people. In this event, we will give you a short introduction into this unpopular, yet very important subject. Find out about the difference between being employed and working as a freelancer, which receipts you need to keep for your tax declaration to save money or how to write a proper invoice and much more.
All of us have probably already done it: sign a contract. But do you know what you're signing up to? We give you an overview what NV-Bühne is, what to take care of and everything you should know before signing.
Curious about contracts? Are you unsure about your rights and obligations as an employee? Wondering if the last performance fee you were offered is fair? Learn about the different types of contracts and contract must-haves. Find out how to negotiate a contract successfully and where to find help if you have problems.
The corona crisis has painfully demonstrated how important it is to understand the social security system in Germany, especially for artists with their often temporary, irregular and hybrid activities. This event will help you to get a first overview. Who is entitled to social security protection? How can you bridge gaps between jobs? What is the artists’ social security fund (KSK) and how do you get in? Who benefits from retirement insurance by the ‚Versorgungsanstalt der deutschen Bühnen‘?
Taxes – one of those things that many often dread! German bureaucracy can be particularly demanding, especially for non-German speaking people. In this event, we will give you a short introduction into this unpopular, yet very important subject. Find out about the difference between being employed and working as freelancer, which receipts to keep for your tax declaration to save money or how to write a proper invoice and much more.
Contrary to other countries, a lot of regionally established and publicly funded theatres produce year-round performances with their own multi-discipline ensembles for a broad audience. For dancers it offers permanent positions in dance and ballet companies. Which chances does this system have to develop one´s career and what challenges are dancers confronted with in this environment? Let us take you behind the scenes and introduce you to the structures and ways to work within the German repertoire or ensemble theatre.
In this two-part workshop, participants will learn relevant aspects of injury prevention for dancers. The first part provides theoretical background with a view to sports and training science, athletic training for dancers, refers to functional anatomy and typical injury symptoms in dance. Linked to this, studies are presented which have investigated dance and injury. Questions of the students from their practical experiences will be related to this in order to make a direct practical connection. In the second part of the workshop, practical exercises will be taught to specifically prevent typical dance injuries, optimize warm up and stretching habits. Students will be empowered to supplement their dance training with strength, stability, flexibility and coordination exercises to prevent injuries.
Just as musicians need their instruments, dancers need their bodies. The body is your main tool, and you only have one! If it no longer “works properly”, you cannot replace it. What can you do to keep your body safe and healthy? Nutrition plays a significant role in your physical and mental wellbeing and therefore in your performance as a dancer. In this session, you will get some essential information and practical tips on that important subject. Learn about widespread nutritional mistakes and how you can incorporate a healthy diet into your everyday life as a dancer.
The course offers a balance of practical training with and without equipment, and an anatomical/physiological knowledge which will provide dancers with a better understanding and the information needed to train themselves, with the goal of reducing the chances of injury. Together with participants’ experience, we will explore common injuries and inherent pitfalls in a dancers’ life – and offer solutions which can be employed as prevention in the dancers’ everyday lives.
Have you ever had this feeling of knowing that you’ve been working and traveling in theory too much, but feeling physically and mentally unbeatable until you get ill or feel exhausted? During this workshop we will discuss the definition of Mental Health and its necessity for dancers in companies and freelancers. Further on, we will talk about the importance of recovery (physical and mental): What is recovery? Why is it necessary? And what kind of impact does it have on our physical and mental wellbeing? We will exchange about the link between the lack of recovery and stress, the distinction between positive and negative stress and finally the increased risks of burnout. After that, we will discuss about different tools that could be useful and I will guide a short meditation based on 2 questions: how do I feel and what do I need?
We live in a time of growing uncertainty. The last two years have tested us all in our resilience, especially dancers have been heavily impacted. Yet, dealing with uncertainty, navigating success and adversity is deeply ingrained within the professional dance career. On certain days, dancers may feel joyful and light, while other days may feel frustrating and heavy. A dancer’s body, mind, and artistry are constantly challenged (not only) in dance classes and on stage. In this practically oriented workshop, you will learn about personal attitudes, movement and mental practices that can help you build resilience and cope more effectively with artistic highs and lows. We can’t wait to finally meet you face to face!
We live in a time of growing uncertainty. The last two years have tested us all in our resilience, especially dancers have been heavily impacted. Yet, dealing with uncertainty, navigating success and adversity is deeply ingrained within the professional dance career. On certain days, dancers may feel joyful and light, while other days may feel frustrating and heavy. A dancer’s body, mind, and artistry are constantly challenged (not only) in dance classes and on stage. In this event, you will learn about personal attitudes and mental practices that can help you build resilience and cope more effectively with artistic highs and lows.
Just as musicians need their instruments, dancers need their bodies. The body is your main tool, and you only have one! If it no longer “works properly”, you cannot replace it. What can you do to keep your body safe and healthy? Nutrition plays a significant role in your physical and mental wellbeing and therefore in your performance as a dancer. In this session, nutrition expert and dancer Eva-Maria Kraft will provide essential information and practical tips on that important subject. Learn about widespread nutritional mistakes and how you can incorporate a healthy diet into your everyday life as a dancer.
If you want to pursue a professional dance career, it is important to know how to create a dance reel. The dance reel is one of the most important marketing tools to make yourself visible as a dancer. It can be used for any situation where you need to present your skills and experience quickly and easily.
Create Dance Reels I: Introduction
In the first part of the workshop you will learn:
Creating Dance Reels II: Post-Production/ Video Editing
The second workshop is dedicated to post-production. Using the video editing software Adobe Premiere Pro as an example, you will learn the basic editing techniques. Find out what is important when selecting sequences and how to develop a dramaturgy for your dance reel.
In this session, our expert Antonia Gersch will answer your questions about funding opportunities for dance professionals.
Join dancers Gala Moody and Michael Carter, co-founders of OFEN Co-Arts Platform, for a focused session on speaking up at work and managing conflict to promote ethical working conditions. Drawing on their extensive experience in the dance industry, working in companies and freelance workplaces, including Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch, Ultima Vez / Wim Vandekeybus, Nacho Duato, Romeo Castellucci, Charleroi Danses, Pieter Ampe, The Australian Ballet, Damien Jalet as well as projects in the film and fashion industries. Gala and Michael will answer questions on issues of hierarchy, power, and voice in the dance workplace, and invite participants to share their own experiences and ideas for creating more positive workspaces.
At the beginning of your artistic career, it can be a challenge to build the foundation for your artistic presence and networking online via website, social media, and in print, in addition to promoting individual projects to the public. For which people and groups and with what goal should you provide information, stories and insights in the first place? And what would be the appropriate platforms and what formats, structures, content, texts and media can you use or develop from your artistic work? There will be group and individual work phases in the workshop to outline your ideas, stories and structures and to develop a media and editorial plan.
This 3-hour interactive workshop will unpack typical situations that dancers find themselves in their careers. Participants will learn practical resources for speaking up in these moments and relate them to broader industry themes. Discussions will be guided on how we can respond, while respecting needs including autonomy, body sovereignty, and rest. We hope that this exchange can support dancers’ practices and aid in advocating for better working conditions in the performing arts.
If you pursue a dance career, then knowing how to make a dance reel is essential. The dance reel is one of the most important marketing tools to make yourself visible as a dance artist. It can be used in any situation where you need to showcase your skills and experience in a quick and easy way. In this workshop, you will get the chance to record a short dance sequence (max. 1-2 min.) and learn how to:
No one in the art world is exempt from the task of building an audience and promoting oneself as an artist. Together with Alina Gause, we will take a holistic approach to self-marketing that combines a focus on your personality as an artist with the special laws of the artist's profession and artistic markets. Learn about her concepts of „The Three Personality Parts of Creative People“ and the „Vicious Circle and Angelic ladder of Self-Marketing“. They will give you the chance to develop a basic mindset that allows you to find your very own mode of promoting yourself.
In this event, we will take you on a hike through the diverse German dance landscape. Let's explore the different career paths as a dancer – the main roads and trails between permanent employment and freelancing/ self-employment! Find out about established theatres and the independent dance scene. Learn about their similarities and differences regarding career entry and working conditions.