Dance for Life 2022

Open Call for Submissions

Chicago Dancers United is excited to share that we are now accepting submissions for Dance for Life 2022. The performance will take place on Saturday, August 13, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. at the Auditorium Theatre. Submissions will be accepted through Friday, April 1, 2022.

Our annual fundraiser, Dance for Life (DFL), fuels The Dancers’ Fund, which provides financial support for medical needs to Chicago dance industry professionals. 31 years ago, the inaugural Dance for Life performance was sparked by Chicago dancers’ overwhelming desire to tangibly support their friends and like-minded professionals as they struggled with heartbreaking health issues. Today, DFL carries forth the tradition of helping one another in a time of medical need or crisis. 

The Chicago dance community is uniquely caring. As an organization we are proud to perpetuate the founding principles of DFL—compassion and service. We understand that being featured within the DFL performance boasts benefits beyond raising money for The Dancers' Fund; however, we exist to be of service. If participating in DFL proves to be a financial hardship, we encourage you to consider joining our fundraising efforts and event as an independent volunteer. There are many ways in which your company can be involved and, in turn, serve our community, aside from performing. Please don't hesitate to connect with us to inquire further about volunteer opportunities.  

Thank you for your interest in contributing to Dance for Life, a beloved Chicago tradition that propels our organization’s mission forward. Together, we bolster the health and vitality of our Chicago dance community.

We invite all professional dance companies in the Chicago area to submit video recordings of a work that meets the Dance for Life 2022 guidelines:

  • We value works that display the diversity of the Chicago dance community and are exciting, joyful, and celebratory in nature.  

  • Larger company works are the strength of the performance, but the selection committee will consider smaller works if they contribute to the strength of the overall program.  

  • We request that dance works be no longer than 10 minutes in length. Works longer than 10 minutes will be considered, but are less likely to be included in the performance as our goal is to feature as many companies as possible.

  • We do not consider children, youth or school groups for inclusion in Dance for Life.

  • Each participating company must secure all rights, approvals and copyrights for the music, choreography, and other materials incorporated within the work.

  • Companies must be able to rehearse in preparation for DFL at the companies’ expense. CDU does not provide financial assistance or support for companies performing in this benefit performance.


Dance for Life 2022 will be a 90-minute performance with no intermission. The selection committee is planning to include seven (7) companies and a dance community finale choreographed by Randy Duncan. 

 

Please review the technical specifications for the 2022 performance prior to submitting:

Upload your submission below:

Submit Now!
 

If you are unable to use the submission link provided, you can also email your materials to DFL [email protected].

If you have any questions regarding the submission process you can reach Chicago Dancers United at [email protected]. 

*All companies chosen to participate in Chicago Dancers United's Dance for Life 2022 will be required to be vaccinated and comply with all applicable COVID-19 restrictions and requirements that may be in effect at the time of rehearsals and the performance, as imposed by the state of Illinois and the City of Chicago, as well as any additional precautions that CDU may impose as appropriate to maintain a safe environment for all participants and the public.