PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Across 11 days, participants in the Choreographic Academy Stage & Film tracks will engage in 5 days of Artistic Development, 5 days of Creation & Expanded Practice, and a Final Showcase.

———

GENERAL INFORMATION

Academy Dates: 6-16 July, 2026

Location: Nashville School of the Arts | Nashville, Tennessee

Minimum Age: 18

Application Deadline: April 17, 2026

Tuition: $1,000

Invitations Sent: May 3, 2026

Acceptance Deposit: $200 (non-refundable) due May 10, 2026

———

THE BREAKDOWN

Artistic Development | July 6-10:

This stage of the academy includes classes, workshops, and experiences focused on the art of choreography, composition, & creation with our incredible mentors. Throughout these days you will expand, develop and tune your own artistic voice, methods and modes of directing, pre-production and production needs, as well as the practical knowledge needed to work sustainably as an artist.

Mentor-led Creation

During this time, participants of the choreographic academy will also engage in creation with the mentors for a collaborative film-based choreographic piece that will premiere at the showcase alongside your works in progress. This wonderful opportunity gives you the chance to work under the mentors to experience first hand HOW they work, collaborate, communicate, and create. Rehearsals and creation will be held in the evenings with filming held on the 10th.

The Pitch

The Artistic Development stage will culminate with a pitch session where those interested in presenting work will pitch their choreographic idea (Stage or Film) to the panel of mentors who will then choose those works which will move forward to creation.

Creation & Expanded Practice | July 11-15:

This stage of the academy includes auditions, rehearsals, feedback sessions, continued classes and the creation process of works for the final showcase. For the Stage Track- those chosen to present work will hold an audition, cast dancers, run rehearsals and hold production meetings as they build their piece. For the Film Track- those chosen to create work will audition and cast dancers, run rehearsals & production meetings, film and edit in this time period.

*Those whose works were not chosen for the final showcase will stay engaged in the creation process through various ways- dancers, assistants, production support, collaborators, etc.

Showcase & Reception | July 16:

On the final day of the academy, the works created during the last 5 days will be presented to a public facing audience alongside a Q&A from the mentors.

———

STAGE TRACK

• The STAGE Track is focused on creating choreography for live performance. You will deepen your understanding and implementation of compositional tools, explore choice making for thematic structure, explore production elements in a choreographic way- ie. lighting, prop usage, intermedia practices- and more!

• A crash course in lighting design will be taught by Stacie Flood-Popp with the opportunity to implement lighting into the greater scheme of your choreographic work.

• The Rippleffect has an extensive costume closet of pieces you can work with to outfit your piece.

FILM TRACK

• The FILM Track is focused on creating choreography specifically for/of/with the camera. We will think choreographically about not just the subject/s in front of the lens, but also the camera and the edit. We will deepen our understanding of working with cameras and lenses, using editing softwares, pre-production and post-production considerations, as well as explore the kinesthetic experience of how light, sound, and the ‘mise en scene’ work cohesively within a screen-based form. Please note that YOU will be the filmmaker- you will operate the camera and edit your work. You will have production support on filming days to help with lighting, sound, and set- as well as editing support, but a basic understanding of cameras will be helpful for this track.

• Sony Cameras, lenses and other necessary equipment will be provided, but you are more than welcome to bring your own kit. We encourage that Film participants have their own laptops to edit with. If you do not, please do not let this deter you from applying.

• Similar to the STAGE track, you will have opportunity to use the Rippleffect costume closet to outfit your work.

Both cohorts (stage and film) train together at key moments, while also receiving track-specific mentorship, rehearsal structures, and creative outcomes.

———

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

Applicants may either:

• Complete all written questions in the Google Form OR Submit a video answering questions 5–9.

Upon acceptance, all participants must submit:

• 1 headshot

• 1 artistic “movement” photo or reel/video (for promotional use)

———

PAYMENT INFORMATION

Venmo: theRadicle

Zelle available

For alternative payment options, contact: info@therippleffect.org

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Over the final 5 days of the Academy, those following the Dancer Track will engage in an Audition process, rehearsals and feedback sessions, training with the mentors, and a final performance.

Those interested in being a dancer need only to register for the event. An application for this track is not necessary.

———

GENERAL INFORMATION

Dates: 11-16 July, 2026

Location: Nashville School of the Arts | Nashville, Tennessee

Minimum Age: 15

Tuition: $500

Registration Deadline: July 5th, 2026

Deposit: $100

———

THE BREAKDOWN

Audition + Commencement | July 11:

The morning of Day 1 will be an audition held by participants of the Choreographic Academy whose works have been chosen for creation.

After casting, dancers will begin rehearsals and partake in mentor-led classes and feedback sessions.

Creation & Expanded Practice | July 12-15:

Each day will entail a mix of rehearsals, classes, and feedback sessions. Classes range from Heels Technique with Soraya Lundy, Contemporary Forms and Groove with Destini Rogers, Compositional Play with Teddy Tedholm, Stage Choreography with Candace Brown, and more!

Showcase & Reception | July 16:

On the final day of the academy, the works created during the last 5 days will be presented to a public facing audience alongside a Q&A from the mentors.

———

PAYMENT INFORMATION

Venmo: theRadicle

Zelle available

For alternative payment options, contact: info@therippleffect.org