Melbourne Fringe X Dancehouse 2025

In 2025 Dancehouse is offering opportunities for new or existing live dance projects to be presented at Dancehouse in October, during the 2025 Melbourne Fringe.

For details on how to apply please read below or contact the Dancehouse Program Manager on [email protected] .

All artists interested in the opportunity will need to provide a proposal in either:

• Written (1-2 Pages in Word or PDF only)
• Video (5-10mins via an accessible link)

More information and/or to submit a proposal please head to our Expression of Interest (EOI).

Key Dates for Melbourne Fringe x Dancehouse

Tue 11 Mar: EOI’s open

Wed 14 Apr: EOI’s close

Mon 5 May: Artists notified

Fri 6 Jun: Fringe Registrations close

Date TBC: Program Launch (09 Aug in 2024)

Tue 30 Sep: Melbourne Fringe Festival opens

Sun 19 Oct: Melbourne Fringe Festival closes

Please note if selected you will be required to provide full marketing materials for registration by no later than 02 June 2025. Dancehouse will present works during the first two weeks of Melbourne Fringe 2025 only (October 9-19 in 2024).

What Dancehouse offers:

• A four night season at Dancehouse in either the Sylvia Staehli Theatre or Upstairs Studio
• An upfront fee of up to $1,000, or up to $2,500 if selected for a Fringe Commission
• Door split (50:50) on net box office over $2,500
• Free venue use for the presentation and up to 20 hours free rehearsal time in the lead up to your event at Dancehouse
• Affordable space for additional rehearsal hours
• Access to Dancehouse technical equipment and standard lighting rig
• Standard marketing support from Dancehouse and Melbourne Fringe
• Front of House and Producing staff support from Dancehouse throughout the season
• Free Melbourne Fringe Registration

Who is this for?

The EOI is open to existing or in-development dance works, events and choreographic works conceived, or able to be performed live at Dancehouse.

Choreographers and dance artists at any stage of their career are welcome to apply.

Australian artists from interstate, or overseas  are welcome to apply if they can accommodate and support their stay in Melbourne and address touring logistics in their proposal.

Selection Criteria

Dancehouse represents a diversity of visions, practices, and generations committed to the expression, development and celebration of dance artists, and the artform itself. 

As the works we select are to be presented in our spaces at Dancehouse, we will be preferencing its ability to be performed in either the Sylvia Staehli Theatre or Upstairs Studio.

Submissions will be assessed against both their creative context and their potential to engage and attract local audiences.

Dancehouse builds and promotes equity across the dance sector.  We prioritise works from artists that identify as First Nations, with a disability, Street-born, South and South-East Asian.

Prompts to help us understand your work better alongside your project idea:

• What stage your work is at — is it still an idea, in development, ready for rehearsal, or ready to perform?
• Do you have a preferred setup for the space (for example, end-on, in-the-round, or another arrangement)?
• How much time do you think you’ll need to set up your work (bump-in)? eg. half day or full day
• What technical elements will you need — such as lighting, sound, projection, haze or smoke, live music, or special flooring?
• Is there anything additional you need that isn’t part of the standard lights and sound setup?
• Also, let us know if you or anyone in your team requires any support to take part — such as physical access or other inclusion needs.

Selection process

Applications will be assessed by an advisory peer panel made up of independent dance artists and Dancehouse staff.

Applicants may be contacted to discuss their proposal in further detail.  All applicants will be notified by Mon 05 May 2025.

Given the subjective nature of our curatorial approach, no feedback will be offered to any of the applicants.