Full terms and conditions here
About the Development Week
For the fourth year running, Dance Limerick will host a Professional Development Week for Traditional Dancers on September 1-5 2025.
This 5-day intensive led by Colin Dunne will focus on solo work, and the nurturing and examination of dancers’ unique physicality and creative voice.
Who is this opportunity for
- Emerging and mid-career professional traditional dance artists who are already making work.
- Professional dance performers who are looking to stimulate their creative practice.
- Professional dancers across all styles of traditional Irish dance and from percussive dance traditions outside of Ireland who wish to expand and re-focus their approach to dance-making and performance.
The week will include
- Morning class and warm up focusing on the release of muscular tension in the body.
- A daily practice in improvisation in both movement and sound-making as a way into creativity.
- Reflective writing exercises
- Short compositional studies
This opportunity aims to
- Stimulate the participants’ movement practice and imagination.
- Give meaningful feedback and support on the artists’ creative and compositional methods.
- Allow a space for reflection on and development of each participant’s unique artistic voice.
- Provide space to meet, talk, dance together, share, play, and work through your questions in an open and nurturing environment.
How to apply
- Submit by email an Expression of Interest outlining your dance history, the current focus of your work, and why you feel this opportunity would benefit your practice. Your Expression of Interest can be written (300-500 words max.) or in video form (1 minute max. submitted as a weblink).
Please also include a brief biography and a link to one work you have recently created. Videos should be at least one minute in length and no longer than five. We ask applicants to send all the requested information on a one-page PDF format to info@dancelimerick.ie
- Submissions will be assessed by Colin Dunne and Director of Dance Limerick Mary Wycherley. Priority will be given to applicants who effectively demonstrate a sustained commitment to their artistic dance practice and clearly articulate how this opportunity will benefit their dance practice and its development.
Terms
- This Professional Development opportunity is offered at a subsidised rate of €120.
- The week is open to both past and new participants.
- Dance Limerick will assist the selected candidates to source suitable accommodation at artist-friendly rates. If accommodation costs present an issue in your circumstances, please do contact us at info@dancelimerick.ie to discuss
- Applicants must have confirmed their availability for the entire period (1-5 September).
Key dates
- Zoom info session: Thursday 10 April at 1 pm. Please register your interest to attend or submit any questions you have by email to leonor.miralles@dancelimerick.ie
- Deadline: Monday 28 April at 5 pm GMT
- Applicants will be notified of their outcome Monday 12 May
ABOUT COLIN DUNNE
Colin Dunne is a leading figure in the world of traditional Irish dance. He collaborates across dance, music and theatre performance platforms in Ireland and internationally. His first solo show Out of Time (2008), was nominated for a 2010 Olivier Award for outstanding achievement in dance, and toured internationally including performances at Biennale de Lyon, Barbican, London and Baryshnikov Arts Centre, NY. His most recent solo show CONCERT, based on the music of Irish fiddle player Tommie Potts, received the 2018 TG4 Gradam Ceoil Award for Music Collaboration in 2018, and a Bessie Award Nomination in 2020.
Other notable collaborations include: Session (2019) with Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Whitby (2017) with Joan Sheehy, Edges of Light (2016 commissioned by Music Network), 20 Dancers for the XX Century (2015 Boris Charmatz, at the Tate Museum London), The Turn (2013) composed by Linda Buckley and The Bull (2005) by Michael Keegan Dolan. As movement director, his work includes In The Middle of the Fields by Mary Lavin (2021) directed by Joan Sheehy, The Risen People (Abbey Theatre 2013) directed by Jimmy Fay, and Christ Deliver Us (Abbey Theatre 2010) directed by Wayne Jordan.
