Open Water
A rising tide lifts all ships.
Open Water is how we start.
Kindling Productions is seeking one emerging choreographer to join the Season 4 lineup of Rising Tide: A Collaborative Evening of Dance, performing Friday, February 12th, 2026, at the Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center at Gonzaga University.
Open Water is designed for choreographers who are ready to take the next step. Those who have been working but haven’t yet had access to a professional presenting opportunity in the Inland Northwest.
Through this initiative, the selected choreographer will receive rehearsal space, a performance slot on the Rising Tide stage, and one-on-one mentorship from Kindling Productions Director, CarliAnn Forthun Bruner, throughout the entire creative process, from early concept development through final performance.
Learn more and apply below!
What we are looking for
About the process
application details
1Choreographic pitch
A description of the work you’d create for Open Water. Tell us what you want to make and why it feels important right now. This is not a contract, we understand and expect that the concept may evolve significantly throughout the process. We are looking for a starting point and a sense of your creative instincts.
2Creative process philosophy
How do you approach making work? What do you believe about the act of choreographing? How do you begin? How do you develop material? How do you know when something is working?
3Rehearsal process statement
How do you like to structure rehearsals? How do you care for the people in your process, especially when things get complicated? How do you create an environment where dancers feel supported and do their best work?
4Two work samples
Video documentation of recent or representative work. Links preferred. This does not need to be a professional production — we are looking for your artistic voice, not production value.
5Letter of reference
Optional — A letter from a collaborator, performer, or colleague who can speak to your work and the way you show up in a room.