Weesageechak Begins to Dance

Call for submissions open!

Deadline: April 19, 2024

Weesageechak Begins to Dance festival is a celebration of new works and works-in-development which fosters the development of Indigenous work and artists from across Canada and around the world.

Each November, Native Earth selects theatredanceopera and multidisciplinary works reflecting Indigenous performing arts to be presented, or to receive development support and a workshop production or reading during the two-week festival. We encourage national and international Indigenous performing artists of all disciplines and at any stage in their career to apply.

We are continuing to welcome submissions for digital offerings (including but not limited to: pre-recorded content, music videos, dance shorts, multidisciplinary works, et cetera) in this year’s Weesageechak Begins to Dance as part of our goal to connect and share Indigenous Arts with communities near & far – across Turtle Island and beyond. The 37th annual Weesageechak Begins to Dance Festival will present both in-person works at our Aki Studio in t’karonto along with select digital content on our online and digital channels over the course of the festival.

Working on a new stand-up or spoken word set? Are you a singer, musician, or perhaps a clown? We’d love to hear from you!

Curated by a committee, select pieces receive dramaturgical support, rehearsal time and a public showing in November. In order for a submission to be eligible, the primary artist or artists must identify as Indigenous.*

For a PDF version of this Submission Call, please click here!

Weesageechak Begins to Dance 37

November 18 - December 1, 2024

SELECTION CRITERIA
• Artistic Merit
• Programming Fit
• Production Capacity and Viability

If you have any questions, please email joelle[at]nativeearth.ca

*Native Earth Performing Arts uses the term Indigenous to encompass the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit of Turtle Island (North America). We also include Indigenous peoples from other regions including South America, Australia, New Zealand, and Greenland.

Past Festivals