‘Sharp Short Dance’ returns this spring

Sydney’s competitive dance festival Sharp Short Dance is back for its 11th year to unearth the country’s best young dancers and choreographers. The festival, presented by FORM Dance Projects, will be held at Riverside Theatres from November 13-17.

Sharp Short Dance aims to encourage youth participation in all genres of dance, and provide a platform for choreographers and dancers to showcase their talent and network with peers and industry experts.

Registration is open to any aspiring dancers and choreographers aged 21 years and under, with works of a length of five minutes or less. Submissions selected for this year’s festival will compete in one of three rounds of heats, with winners progressing to the final on Saturday evening at Riverside Theatres, Parramatta.

The judging panel for each round will be comprised of industry professionals who will be looking for excellence in performance and innovative choreography.

Sharp Short Dance participants are eligible for awards including Outstanding Male and Female Performers, Most Innovative Choreography, Outstanding Solo, Duet and Ensemble Performances, and the Audience Choice Award.

Participants are also eligible for highly sought after industry secondment opportunities with major professional dance companies such as Sydney Dance Company Pre-Professional Year and Catapult Dance. 

To download a 2018 application form, visit www.form.org.au/sharp-short-dance-2018.

KEY DATES: 

Registrations: Opened Tuesday, June 12 and close Thursday, October 
18.

Heat One (jazz, tap and lyrical): 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 
13.

Heat Two (classical and contemporary): 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 14.

Heat Three (cultural, hip-hop and street): 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 
15.

Final: Saturday, November 17. 

Photo: Jessica Hewett. Photo by Dom O’Donnell.