MOVERS + MAKERS WORKSHOP

mover track

The Mover track is designed to help professional and emerging professional dancers hone their abilities through classes, rehearsals and performance in just 3 days’ time. You'll learn from master teachers and rehearse with emerging choreographers in the Makers Track, culminating in a performance of works-in-progress.

Movers+Makers also serves as the company’s auditions for its 2025-2026 season.

Applicants who are currently enrolled in a university dance program are eligible to apply for scholarships. Find more information at the bottom of this page.

class + rehearsal info

June 12-14, 2025
See schedule below
SMASH Dance Academy
188 W River Park Drive, Provo, UT

performance info

June 14, 2025
7:30 PM
Orem Library Hall
58 N State Street, Orem, UT

important dates

• January 8 – February 19: Applications open for the Maker Fellowship.

• January 8 – February 26: University students can apply for scholarships.

• January 8 – April 23: Early bird rates apply.

• April 24 – May 28: Regular tuition rates apply.

• June 12 – 14: Movers + Makers Intensive

schedule

To read about class descriptions and teacher bios, click here.

eligibility

Dancers must be at least 18 at the time of application. At least some university dance experience, or equivalent professional experience, is suggested. A completed dance degree is recommended for all who wish to audition for 2025-2026 company contracts during Movers+Makers. This intensive is designed to help invested and dedicated contemporary dancers to further their skills and career and is not designed for intermediate dancers.

tuition

The Mover track includes 7 carefully crafted masterclasses in contemporary, ballet, improvisation and repertoire taught by esteemed local artists, as well as 11.5 hours of rehearsal time with an emerging choreographer and other networking experiences. Participants get to perform for the community in 2 numbers each (one structured improv and a work of choreography by a featured Maker, usually in a cast size of 3-8 dancers) and are considered for paid 2025-2026 contracts with Wasatch Contemporary Dance Company if they wish to be considered.

Early Bird Mover tuition (paid by April 24): $230 (just about $10/hr of dancing!)
Mover tuition (paid after April 24): $260

Tuition is not due until after the applicant receives an acceptance email. Tuition must be paid shortly after that point to assure the applicant’s place in the intensive. A delay in paying tuition may cause the applicant to lose their spot in the intensive.

There is a $15 application fee to be considered for this intensive. Movers who are selected will have the $15 applied toward their tuition.

application process

All interested dancers should apply beginning Jan 15 and no later than May 22 (make sure to apply by mid-April if you want to take advantage of the early bird tuition deal – WCDC staff need time to get back to you about your application, and tuition prices increase on April 25). The online application is relatively simple and requires the following:

• Basic contact information

• A one page resume

• 1 link to a 1-2 min video featuring contemporary dance styles

All applications are reviewed by 3 adjudicators from Wasatch Contemporary Dance Company’s staff. The intensive is capped at 50 dancers to allow participants to receive feedback, fully explore their range of movement, and get to know other participants well.

classes

While classes change up every year, the intensive always offers a wide array of contemporary styles and related genres, taught by esteemed local artists. Utah County and the surrounding area is home to many incredible teachers and choreographers who have experience in academia, research, professional performance, arts administration, and composition.

rehearsals

Each Mover will be assigned to a cast to work with one of 5 emerging choreographers in preparation for the final performance on Saturday evening. Cast sizes vary, with generally 3-8 dancers per choreographer. Choreographers rehearse with their dancers a total of 11.5 hours over the course of 3 days.

performance

This year the performance will take place at the Orem Library Hall, a beautiful 400-seat venue located just 6 minutes away from SMASH Dance Academy. The performance will be filmed for the choreographers’, dancers’ and company’s records. Tickets can be purchased for $15 for those who would like to attend beginning on June 2.

auditioning for company contracts

Movers+Makers is carefully designed to let company directors observe dancers through all the important parts of company life including classes, collaboration with choreographers, and performance. Directors will observe all dancers throughout the entire workshop but will only ask dancers to put on official audition numbers from 9-12:15 on June 14, when additional dancers may add in to also be considered for company positions. These classes will be run like normal classes and will not mimic a traditional audition. Participants are allowed to attend the entire intensive and choose to not don an audition number in the 9-12:15 classes on June 14 if auditioning is not their interest at the time. Participants who do not wish to be considered for company contracts also have the option to attend the Makers’ classes instead of the 2 audition classes. Read more about company structure, schedule, requirements and pay to help you decide if you would like to audition for 2025-2026 company positions.

scholarships

Wasatch Contemporary Dance Company accepts applications from current university students for half and full tuition scholarships to Movers+Makers. Seniors graduating in April/May 2025 are the main priority for these scholarships, but any current university dance student is welcome to apply. Scholarship applications will close at the end of the day on February 26. Applicants can expect to hear back by March 12. Students do not need to apply for the scholarship AND apply for the intensive. Applying for the scholarship is sufficient and even students who do not receive a scholarship will be informed if they have been accepted into the intensive. Email wasatchcontemporary@gmail.com with any questions you may have.

refund policy

Application fees are nonrefundable. Tuition refunds can only be made until March 31 (minus a $40 nonrefundable portion). If the event is cancelled and cannot be rescheduled, participants will receive their full refundable portion.

apply today

faqs

Can I attend Movers+Makers if I am still a university student?

Absolutely! We encourage students to strengthen their resumes and network with dancers and choreographers through this event, even if auditioning is not their main objective at this point. Meeting WCDC directors a few years before you hope to audition is also a great way to let directors see your progress and trajectory.

Can I attend even if I am not interested in auditioning for WCDC at this time?

Yes! One of our main goals in hosting Movers+Makers is to create a professional training program in an area where nothing similar to it exists. Even if auditioning for WCDC is not your objective right now, come take class with us and benefit from this one-of-a-kind intensive! On the last day of the intensive (June 14), dancers who are interested in being considered for company contracts should make sure to wear an audition number during the 2 classes that morning. Those who aren’t interested in being considered for company contracts can take class without an audition number on or join the Makers in their morning classes instead. Still trying to decide if auditioning is right for you? Read more about the company structure, schedule and requirements here.

Can I do the Makers classes during the first half of the day and Movers rehearsals in the second half of the day?

You must first talk to a director by emailing us at wasatchcontemporary@gmail.com, but this is an option we can offer a handful of dancers.

Can I take the Movers classes but not stay for rehearsals?

Because we really want participants to get the full intensive experience, the only way to participate in the intensive will be to commit to the entire schedule including classes and rehearsals. The only exceptions to this are 1) people who cannot attend the entire intensive but still wish to audition can attend the two classes on Saturday from 9-12:15 to be considered for company positions, and 2) there will be 7-11 spots for people who wish to take the Makers classes only.

Can I take the Maker classes only and not create work on a cast of dancers?

Yes, there will be class spots available to those who wish to only take the Makers classes. These limited class spots are offered first to those who apply to create work with a cast but are not selected to create work. Remaining class spots on the Maker track will open for registration around early April.

Where will the Movers+Makers showcase be performed this year?

This year we will be performing at the Orem Library Hall at 58 N State St, Orem.

How many company contracts are you looking to fill through this event?

WCDC requires all company members to re-audition every year, so technically all company contracts are open to auditionees. This amounts to roughly 8-10 positions.

How many participants will be at Movers+Makers?

The Mover track can accommodate approximately 45 dancers. The Maker track can accommodate the 5 selected choreographers plus another 7-11 class members that attend the classes only (but not rehearsals). WCDC works hard to curate a personalized experience for a medium sized intensive, where participants can get to know each other well, receive feedback, and not be lost in a crowd of hundreds of participants.

Have more questions? Feel free to ask us anything by emailing wasatchcontemporary@gmail.com.