Mind The Gap 39 - May 19th 2026

Dance Source Houston is accepting applications for dance works to be presented on the May 19th, 2026 Mind The Gap performance. Applicants may participate in only 1 Mind The Gap performance during the current season, which runs August 2025 - May 2026. This is the last application for the 2025/2026 season.

Now in the program's tenth year, Mind The Gap showcases works by DSH members from all dance genres. Creating performance opportunities for local dancemakers, Mind The Gap also provides participants with support in production planning and management. The program, a collaboration between DSH and MATCH, is designed to support artists who seek additional support and guidance to improve their production skills.

Works submitted should be 5-15 minutes in length and may be from any genre or style. Applicants may submit a work in progress, new work, or a previously presented work, with rehearsals starting prior to the initial production meeting. Mind The Gap is intended to serve choreographers at all career stages and at all points in the development of a work.

A maximum of 6 choreographers will be selected per performance, on a first-come, first-serve basis for those who successfully submit a complete application. Incomplete applications will be declined. Applications for each date will close once 6 complete applications from current DSH members are received. Applications will be reviewed for completion on a weekly basis and applicants will be notified on an ongoing basis of their acceptance.

Once selected, each participating choreographer must submit a $75 production fee. Each choreographer will receive a share of the ticketed income from the performance. Choreographers will receive a wide-angle video of their work from DSH and have the option to purchase photos for a fee.

Qualifications:

• Applicants must be 18 or older and based in the Greater Houston region, which is limited to the counties of  Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, Walker, and Waller. 
• Cast members must be 18 years or older. (Intergenerational casts will be considered.) Please contact DSH at danceinfo@dancesourcehouston.org before applying for more information and to confirm your eligibility.
• Proposals from all dance genres are encouraged.
• Applicants may submit a work in progress, new work, or a previously presented work. It is expected that rehearsals will have started prior to the initial production meeting to ensure.
• Applicants may participate in only 1 Mind The Gap performance during the current season, which runs August 2025 - May 2026. This is the last application for the 2025/2026 season.
• Applicants must be current DSH members to be eligible to apply. Your application will be declined if your membership is not fully established before you submit your application. To become a member, visit https://dancesourcehouston.org/members/
• Applicants must be available for all production dates including in person production meetings. There is no virtual option for these meetings. MTG is facilitated through a cohort format where artists are in conversation with each other. 
• Applicants and all their cast members must be available for all theater production dates including Tech, Dress and Performance

Production Dates, Meetings & Deadlines

MTG 39 - May 19th  Performance

Upon notification - fill out the acceptance form linked … 

Monday March 9th, 2026 - Due for signing and submission

• Sign contract
• Submit $75 production fee
• Production and promotional folders released
• Review and confirm bios and responses to questions

Monday March 23rd, 2026 @ 7:00pm - Initial Production In-person Meeting @ MATCH Offices

• Media release form filled out and submitted for all - choreographer and performers
• 10 - 30 sec. Videos of rehearsal excerpts (it is expected that you will have begun rehearsals prior to this date so that these can be uploaded in time)
• Photos from rehearsal

Monday May 4th, 2026 @ 7:00pm – Final Production Meeting @ MATCH Offices

• Full run rehearsal video (unedited, full run)
• Cue Sheet
• Media files due (sound and video)
• Program information due

Monday May 18th, 2026 – Load In, Tech and Dress @ MATCH Box 2

• 9:00am - 11:00am Load In
• 11:30am - 4:00pm Spacing and Tech runs (individual time slots assigned, mandatory for all - choreographer and performers)
• 5:30pm - Onstage meeting
• 6:00pm - 7:30pm Dress rehearsal and notes (mandatory for all - choreographer and performers)

Tuesday May 19th, 2026 – Performance @ MATCH Box 2

• 5pm Call (mandatory for all - choreographer and performers)
• 5:30pm - Onstage meeting
• 7:30pm Curtain (mandatory for all - choreographer and performers)
• Post show reception on stage with audience

The Dancer Fund will provide direct support to freelance dance artists who have received payment from choreographers and/or organizations for their project-based, performance-related work taking place July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. 

Dance Source Houston will match up to $500 per individual in payment(s) for performance project artist fees. Dancers may apply more than once to receive the $500 maximum award. A separate application must be submitted for each project. A maximum of $30,000 will be awarded to freelance dancers through the Dancer Fund. Awards are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and the submission period will close when the funds have been depleted.

The Dancer Fund is made possible through generous support from Houston Endowment.    

Eligibility 

Applicants are eligible to apply if they:

- Are 18 or older.

- Live and work in the Greater Houston region, as defined by Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller counties.

- Can provide a fully-executed contract that shows:

    The contractor was: 

• Contracted specifically as a dancer for project-based performance work 
• Classified as an independent contractor, not a W2 employee

    The performance work:

• Takes place between July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026
• Takes place in the Greater Houston region, as defined above
• Is open to the general public

- Can provide a completed Form W9

- Can provide accepted proof of payment for contracted work*

- Have not already received the individual maximum of $500 through the current Dancer Fund cycle.

*Acceptable forms of proof of payment include check images and Paypal/Venmo/Cash app/etc. transaction receipts that indicate payer, payee, and what the payment was for. Payments received in cash are not eligible.

Application Process

Fill out the application below and attach all required supplemental materials, including signed contract(s), proof of payment(s), and a completed W9. If you need a contract template, you can download one here. 

Applications will be processed monthly. Notification will be sent by the 15th of each month to all applicants who submitted in the previous month.

Have Questions? 

Please send all questions to danceinfo@dancesourcehouston.org with “Dancer Fund Question” in the subject line to ensure your email is prioritized. Do not direct questions to individual staff member email addresses.