Toledo Ballet Launches Winter Works Choreographic Competition for Emerging Artists

Toledo Ballet is inviting emerging choreographers from across all dance genres to apply for its inaugural Toledo Ballet Winter Works Choreographic Competition, an innovative incubator opportunity designed to support new choreographic talent and bring original work to the stage.

Two emerging choreographers will be selected to participate in a creative residency during January 2027. Each choreographer will spend two weeks working with 10 professional Toledo Ballet company dancers to develop an original choreographic work, approximately 10 to 15 minutes in length.

Throughout the residency, selected artists will have access to Toledo Ballet’s state-of-the-art studios at the Toledo Center for Live Arts and the resources needed to develop their work in a collaborative professional environment. The experience will culminate at Winter Works, a fully produced world premiere featuring both new works on Saturday, February 13, 2027. Depending on the artistic vision and needs of each work, choreographers may have the opportunity to incorporate live musical accompaniment by musicians of the Toledo Symphony or Toledo Jazz Orchestra.

“This competition creates space for choreographers to take risks, experiment, and bring new ideas to life alongside professional dancers,” said Eric Otto, Artistic Director of Toledo Ballet. “We’re excited to welcome emerging artists to Toledo and give them the opportunity to develop their voices while creating work for our community.”

In addition to creating and premiering their work, the selected choreographers will have the opportunity to engage with the next generation of dancers by teaching two masterclasses for students at the Toledo Ballet School.

Two awards will be presented following the premiere. An artistic panel led by Otto and distinguished Toledo Ballet faculty will select the recipient of the Artistic Choice Award, which includes a $500 prize. Audience members will also have the opportunity to vote for the Audience Choice Award.

The Toledo Ballet Winter Works Choreographic Competition is intended to foster collaboration, innovation, and the development of new choreographic voices while providing emerging artists with meaningful professional experience.

Applications are now open. Emerging choreographers interested in applying can find complete application requirements and additional information at www.liveartstoledo.com/tb-competition. The deadline to apply is September 30, 2026.

Audiences are invited to experience the culmination of the residency at Winter Works on Saturday, February 13, 2027, at the Toledo Center for Live Arts. The afternoon will showcase two world premieres created through the competition and performed by Toledo Ballet’s professional company dancers. Tickets are available at www.liveartstoledo.com/winter-works .