Directing Initiative: Choreography

Directing (SDC)

SDC Coordinator

Dewey Scott-Wiley
University of South Carolina – Aiken
deweyw@usca.edu

Deputy Coordinator
Stephen Wrentmore
Wake Forest University

Student choreographers in our region are often nominated by KCACTF respondents for their excellent work — but until now, there have never been any initiatives at the Regional Festival for showcasing the talent and craft of these young artists. So we have created the Directing Initiative for Choreography!

Eligibility

To be eligible, students must:

  • Attend a school which is geographically included in Region IV
  • Be a bona fide student at the time of the regional festival
  • Be a registered festival participant
  • Submit a completed application packet by the deadline

Application

Submit a letter of intent to participate in the Choreography Initiative and let us know what piece you will be presenting, and why it is important to you. Please also include a letter of support from a faculty member at your school.

Deadline for Applications:

January 3, 2026

Process

 

  • Before the Event: Students participating in the Choreography Initiative will
    submit an 8-10 minute video .
  • The first 3-5 minutes: The student will discuss the following:
     Why the piece is a good representation of their work
     What their approach to the piece was
     How this piece added to the storytelling of the entire performance
     How they worked with their fellow collaborators on the production
     What visceral response they hope it will have on the audience
  • The 2nd 5-7 minutes: The student will provide a video clip of their choreography in
    action. This can be a video from rehearsal or performance, provided it is filmed in a way that best captures their choreography. All choreography submitted must be original and not a recreation of someone else’s work.
     At the Festival:
    1. Students will receive an in-person response to their submissions at
    the festival.
    2. Students will be given a group choreography exercise. The goal is to
    collaborate with other student choreographers to create a cohesive
    piece of storytelling.
    3. Students will receive a response to their work on this project.

Deadline for Video Submissions:

January 17, 2026

Send all materials to
Dewey Scott-Wiley
deweyw@usca.edu