FAQ Overview

All FAQ from the category Applying

•  How do I apply?

  We have a standard application form, which we ask all applicants to complete and return, along with any photos / supporting DVDs / links to clips you may have.

  If you do not have any photos or clips of the piece in question, we'd like to see other photos and clips (where possible) to get an idea of your style.

  The application form is available for download from this site while the application process is open; if it's not available, do drop us an email and we'll add you to our mailing list. We also have application guidance notes, which we recommend you download and read, as they contain lots of useful information!

•  I'd like to send you samples of our work and a proposal...

  Unfortunately, we only accept completed application forms accompanied by photos and video footage - should you send us a proposal, we will have to ask you to complete an application form and follow the same procedure as everyone else.

  Please note that if you are emailing from overseas, we are not funded, so we would not be able to pay you a performance fee or contribute to your travel expenses.

  In special circumstances, we will bypass this requirement, but those people know who they are!

•  My piece is 3 mins / 25 mins long. Will it be considered?

  We welcome applications for pieces of any length up to 10 minutes in length - some of the best pieces of each festival have only been 3 or 4 minutes long!

  We also welcome applications for longer pieces, however we only have one slot for a 15 to 20 minute piece each evening - which we can sometimes increase to two slots, however we cannot accept longer pieces.

•  I'm from outside the UK - can I still apply?

  We'd be delighted if you'd like to participate - we're always pleased to have participants from overseas.

  Please note, however, that we are not funded, therefore we do not have available funds to cover international travel expenses, or costs of staying in London.

•  I'm an Indian Contemporary / Classical Dancer / flamenco dancer, how can I apply?

  Cloud Dance Festival is specifically a contemporary dance festival, therefore we are unable to consider applications from other dance styles.

  We recommend you visit the directory on www.londondance.com for details of South Asian or other dance organisations who will be able to advise you of relevant performance opportunities, and funding options to assist you with your costs.

•  I have a programme of 1 or more pieces which are 50 minutes each

  We only consider pieces of up to 15-20 minutes in length, therefore we can only accept an application to perform an excerpt of it.

  www.londondance.com has a list of dance venues in their directory if you would prefer to perform the piece/s in full.

•  My piece is a work in progress, can I still submit it?

  Yes - normally a large proportion of the pieces performed at each festival are works in progress; we only ask that they are completed, or of performance standard by the time of the festival.

  Although we need some details for publicity, we do not need them to be finalised till a fortnight in advance (for the programmes), as titles / dancers / descriptions often change!

•  How do you select pieces?

  We normally have three types of participants:

  - those who sign up in advance 
  - past performers who've been invited to return
  - applicants

  Although photos and clips/DVDs do help a lot, we primarily consider applications based on the piece descriptions, followed by details of the company or performer/s.

  This means that we assess applications equally, whether they are from recent graduates or from more established companies.

  Usually around half the pieces accepted - if not more - are works in progress.

  As one of our primary aims is to make the festival (and contemporary dance) more accessible to the general public, we do have to consider what will appeal to the audience, and trust that we manage to achieve that with the pieces selected each time.

•  I don't have any video footage of my work. Can I apply anyway?

  We're afraid not - we do specify that video footage is an essential part of your application.

  We are happy to receive rehearsal videos if you don't have any performance clips; do bear this in mind so that you can film a runthrough in time for our application deadline.

•  We won't have any video till after the deadline, is that okay?

  We need any supporting video by the end of our specified deadline, otherwise we will not be able to consider your application.