Dance Source Houston is accepting applications for dance works to be presented on the September 15th, 2026 Mind The Gap performance. Applicants may participate in only 1 Mind The Gap performance during the current season, which runs September 2026 - June 2027. Additional applications for December 1st, May 11th and June 8th will open later in the season. 

Now in the program's eleventh season, 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 before 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.

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.
• Applicants may participate in only 1 Mind The Gap performance during the current season, which runs September 2026 - June 2027. Additional applications for December 1st, May 11th and June 8th will open later in the 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. 
• 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 one another. 
• Once approved, each participating choreographer must submit a $75 production fee. 
• Applicants and all their cast members must be available for all theater production dates, including Tech, Dress and Performance

Production Dates, Meetings & Deadlines

MTG 40 - September 15th  Performance

Monday July 20th, 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 July 20th, 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 August 24th, 2026 @ 7:00pm – Final Production Meeting @ MATCH Offices

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

Monday September 14th, 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 September 15th, 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