Cleveland Dance Fest 2025

BEFORE NOVEMBER 5TH

• Email Megan at cdf@themovementproject.org

FESTIVAL WEEKEND (STARTING NOVEMBER 6TH)

• Text or call Elyse (Assistant Stage Manager) at 330-962-9547

• Please do not email — phone only during festival weekend. Thank you!

Please complete forms & submit materials by the due dates listed below. (Commissioned Artists see “Due Dates (Commissioned Artists)” for your dates)

DUE BY SEPTEMBER 1ST

DUE BY OCTOBER 20TH

Due Dates (Commissioned artists Only)

Please complete forms & submit materials by the due dates listed below.

DUE BY AUGUST 4TH

DUE BY SEPTEMBER 1ST

DUE BY OCTOBER 27th

Cleveland Dance Fest 2025

LOgistics & Info for Artists

Location:

• Main Entrance for Guests & Artists: Playhouse Square, 1375 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44115

  • Enter: Idea Center at Playhouse Square (Front entrance off of Euclid Ave., under the chandelier)

• Additional Entrance for TMP Staff & CDF Artists ONLY: 1410 Dodge Ct, Cleveland, OH 44114

  • Enter: Back entrance to the Idea Center (closer option for those parking in the back of building (artists only)

Performances: Idea Center in the Westfield Studio Theatre.

Master classes: Idea Center in the Gund Dance Studio.

Parking: Lot & Garage Parking (as we get closer to CDF, TMP will provide detailed information on public parking options)

• TMP has put together a list of local airbnb’s, hotels, food, coffee shops for artists. Please let us know if you have any questions!

For artists teaching a master class, click button below for more info.

For commissioned artists, click button below for more info.

• All artist compensation will be mailed via check & postmarked to CDF artists no later than Monday, November 10th.

• Please note that TMP will be reaching out on November 3rd to confirm the mailing address for each artist.

• Ticket sales go live September 5th. More information coming soon!

• Cleveland Dance Fest page on The Movement Project goes live on September 5th as well.

Community Investment Goal

• As an artist-led and community-centered festival, we believe in the power of collective support. This year, we’re inviting each artist/group to help us build the audience and energy behind the work we present.

• This isn’t a hard requirement, but a shared goal to help us foster deeper community engagement. Every ticket sold brings someone into the space to connect with your work and celebrate local artistry.

  • See your CDF Contract for your community investment goal.

• Artist perks:

  • Tickets sold for any performance on Friday & Saturday will count toward your goal.

  • All CDF lead artists and cast members may attend other shows for just $10 (these also count toward your goal).

  • More details on how to keep track of your sales coming soon!

Thank you for helping us build momentum behind this year’s festival and supporting our Community Investment Goal.

• Each artist/group will complete a short google-meet interview with TMP associate director Elyse Morckel.

  • Interviews should last no more than 15 minutes and will be used to market your work for CDF.

• Connect to our social media pages

  • FACEBOOK

  • INSTAGRAM

• Share posts, tag each other, invite people to CDF event pages

• Use CDF hashtag #cdf25 #ClevelandDanceFest

• Share all CDF posts to your pages. Help promote each other’s artist highlights

• Print materials can be requested (email Elyse at cdf@themovementproject.org)

*Once materials are collected from artists, the entire marketing & media kit will be available by September 15th.

FREE TICKET FOR CHOREOGRAPHERS

• Choreographers not performing in their work will receive a free ticket for your concert. (complete via program & production form above)

Free master classes

• We’re excited to offer 5 free master classes to CDF artists and the public! Classes will be taught by CDF artists and held in the beautiful Gund Dance Studio at Playhouse Square (Friday–Saturday). We encourage your cast to attend at least one!

• To help give us a headcount, we are asking lead CDF artists to complete the “Master Class Registration” form above for their entire cast.

DISCOUNTED ARTIST TICKETS

• All CDF lead artists and their casts can reserve tickets at $10/ticket.

• Artists Tickets cannot be used/transferred to someone not in the piece and cannot be used for the show they are performing in. Must be used by cast members/choreographers only.

• MORE DETAILS COMING SOON!

Artist Gathering - Free lunch!

• Saturday November 8th from 12:00 - 1:00 pm, following master classes, join us for a free catered lunch for CDF artists, great conversations and building connections! (reserve cast lunches via “Program & Production” form above)

Artist Panel

• Saturday November 8th at 1:00 pm, TMP will hold a free and open to the public artist panel "Beyond the Hubs: Cultivating Dance Ecosystems Outside the Big City".  The conversation will highlight the unique strengths, challenges, and innovations within dance communities that thrive beyond major metropolitan centers. Featuring Ohio-based artists from Cleveland Dance Fest, this panel explores how regional ecosystems foster rich, resilient creative practices, and why investing in them matters for the future of the field.

• MORE DETAILS COMING SOON!

PROFESSIONAL FOOTAGE

• Digital footage & photos of your piece will be emailed to you between February - March 2026. PLEASE DO NOT REQUEST TO RECEIVE YOUR FOOTAGE BEFORE THAT TIME. There are a large number of works at CDF and it takes our videographer a few months to edit all the footage, put in credit information and finalize each video.

Display marketing materials at CDF

• A table in the lobby will be designated for CDF artists who would like to display marketing materials.

TMP Studio - Reduced Rental Rate

• If you are in need of space, TMP is offering a special discounted rate of $10/hour (minimum 2 hour booking) for CDF lead artists.

• Requests can be made for dates throughout the window of September 1st - October 30th. (TMP studio is not available during CDF.)

  • TO REQUEST YOUR DATE:

    • Click the link below and select your 2 hour booking times under “Space Bookings (Rehearsals/Meetings)”. Ignore the listed rates, as CDF artists will receive the $10/hour rate (minimum 2 hours).

    • Upon selecting your dates, a TMP staff member will reach out within 24-48 hours to fill your booking requests (including payment information and how to access the space).

• See photos of our space HERE