SOAR UP 2024
Applications now open for this intensive programme of aerial training, upskilling, rehearsals, performances, networking and development for dancers
Applications close 31 May 2024
Soar Up is a programme created by Fidget Feet that aims to bridge the gap between dance education and professional aerial dance practice in Ireland.
The first SOAR UP project was in 2022 and the training happened alongside Fidget Feet’s HOUSE production – an outdoor drive-in bingo show with aerial and theatre. In 2023, we successfully conducted another Soar Up program in collaboration with HOUSE.
Our past Soar Ups have gone on to do amazing things and have gained many opportunities to travel and perform with Fidget Feet.
Soar up is inspired by the highly successful Step Up Dance Project.
Soar Up 2024 will focus on dance graduates by supporting them through the often difficult and uncertain period of pre-professionalism. The programme will offer this unique opportunity to 4 dancers based on the island of Ireland over 10 weeks between 2nd September – 8th November 2024.
The program will be based at the Irish Aerial Creation Centre in Limerick where the majority of the training & rehearsals will take place. With House! shows in Clifden.
APPLICATIONS
We are seeking applications from dance graduates and emerging artists. You must be resident in Ireland and be available for the dates outlined below.
Please include:
- Your name and contact details
- A short video link (YouTube or Vimeo) of a dance solo / improvisation /showreel
- A video link (max 4 minutes) of yourself telling us:
– Who you are and where you are from.
– Tell us about any other skills along-side contemporary dance: i.e Irishdancing, social dancing, cheerleading, hip hop, play music etc. - Your movement history/what you studied and where.
- Why you think Soar Up will benefit you.
- Where you hope to be in 3 year’s time.
IMPORTANT DATES
Applicants must be available for
- 2nd Sept – 13th Sept 2024 (2 weeks aerial training)
- House! Clifden residency & shows 16th – 29th Sept
- 1st Oct – 8th Nov aerial training with other possible shows
- 2nd Sep – 8th Nov 2024 (10 week for program)
Submission deadline is 6pm, 31st May 2024
Successful applicants will be informed by 10th June 2024
If you would like more information about SOAR UP, please contact us at info@fidgetfeet.com No question is a silly question!
SOAR UP is part of Circus? Bingo! residency programmes produced by Fidget Feet with Kildare County Council, Tipperary County Council and Donegal County Council. Funded by The Arts Council’s Invitation to collaboration scheme and local authority partners. We are always reaching out to artists to join the Fidget Feet family.
Fidget Feet are an aerial circus performance company from Ireland. We tell our stories anywhere we can think of. In theatres, from cranes, hidden in forests, or swinging from buildings all over the world. Our performances are for everyone and we love to find new ways of telling our stories to new people.
IACC is the National home for aerial arts, We opened our doors in 2015 in Limerick. We offer aerial classes to local communities, we offer residencies and training courses to aerialists and circus artists nationally and international. We also offer aerial to students at the Irish world academy of music and dance in the University of Limerick since we opened.
2024 is the final year of our Soar Up programme.
An intensive programme of aerial training, upskilling, rehearsals, performances, networking and development for dancers who have completed some form of professional dance training. It is also open to any dancers that have some aerial skills it’s not compulsory to have aerial skills.
INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAMME
- Each Soar up candidate gets to share their dance skills by offering a morning dance class to each other.
- Aerial technique classes will be taught at the Irish Aerial Creation Centre by one Fidget Feet’s aerial dancers, cocoon, aerial dance trapeze, hoop, fabric, rope, spirals and vertical dance
- Creative labs to work on an aerial group or solo piece.
- Access to free open training and aerial equipment.
- Opportunity to engage in the creative process of Fidget Feet.
- Training to fly from a crane.
- Training as understudies with Ireland’s national aerial dance company.
- Core dance performance roles alongside local community groups in Fidget Feet’s 2024 production ‘HOUSE!’ Alongside Fidget Feet-associated artists and under the artistic direction of Chantal McCormick.
- Work with local communities as part of House! community days
- A weekly stipend for accommodation, travel and living costs. Extra travel costs for public engagements.
“I find aerial dance incredibly beautiful and exciting, and had always wanted to have the chance to explore it. I didn’t think that would be possible, as it is difficult to find time for aerial training alongside dance training – however, Soar Up seemed like the perfect opportunity to try something which I had always wanted to do”
WHAT IS AERIAL DANCE?
It’s Dance! It’s Creative! It’s flying with style! Combining athleticism & creative expression. While using low-hanging trapeze, aerial silks, spirals, hoops & cocoons. A beautiful art form, while having fun and building strength!
Wanna try it out?
Our Aerial Creation Centre in Limerick provides workshops, kids classes, adult classes & bootcamps.