Dive into the dream world of Virtual Reality (VR) and contribute to the creation process. For the new VR project, choreographer Miguel Altunaga is looking for young dance talent. For this project, which will premiere during Holland Dance Festival 2024, contemporary dance is mixed with elements of surrealism and creates movements that are both complex and expressive. Miguel invites any dancer aged 16 to 22 with dance experience to audition.
In 2019, French choreographer Fabien Prioville created a short performance in virtual reality with a group of dance amateurs, shot in Amare with a 360° camera. During the Holland Dance Festival, hundreds of visitors enjoyed this special VR dance creation by watching dancers on "the stage" with VR glasses on.
Because of this great success and especially because of the enthusiastic response from audiences, Holland Dance Festival asked Cuban choreographer Miguel Altunaga to create a new VR project for the upcoming festival in 2024. For this he is looking for enthusiastic, young (amateur) dancers who would like to take on this challenge.
Virtual Reality
VR technology offers audiences a completely different view of contemporary dance. It challenges the usual experience of a live performance, plays with the senses and offers unprecedented possibilities for choreographers, dancers and audiences. When you put on the VR goggles, you enter a virtual world in which you, the spectator, are immersed in the performance. It feels like you are in the middle of the dance performance, surrounded by the energy and emotions of the dancers. You experience the dynamics of a choreography and the power of the dance much more intensely and intimately. You observe the smallest details.
Audition on Saturday, Sept. 30
Miguel incorporates modern dance techniques into the audition process, with a strong emphasis on improvisation and exploring everyone's own unique movement possibilities. In addition, he prioritizes showcasing each dancer's individuality and artistic expression. The VR dance project is about the process, to create something wonderful together. You don't have to prepare anything, just be yourself and show what you can do.
Would you like to audition on Saturday, Sept. 30? Then sign up at 'dates & tickets' on this page. Then you will receive a link to the application form via email. Only after completing this form is your application official.
Miguel Altunaga: "Working with dance and using VR film as a medium allows me to create an experience and a world beyond reality. I am really fascinated by the idea of taking people into a fantasy world, where the laws of gravity do not apply and where they can engage with dance in a way that was previously unthinkable. Dance has always been my passion and have seen firsthand the transformative power of dance. How it can take both performers and audiences to a higher place of pure expression and emotion. By combining dance with VR technology, we are taking that experience to a whole new level."
Location and rehearsals
There is room for 15-20 dancers per audition and this will take place in the studio of the Korzo Theater, The Hague. Ultimately, 15 dancers are needed for this VR project. If you are chosen to participate, the rehearsals and recording will be from Saturday October 14 to Sunday October 23 (autumn vacations), also in The Hague. In addition, if selected, we ask for a participant contribution of €20.
Where and when to see it?
The VR project will premiere during the opening gala of Holland Dance Festival 2024 ( January 24 to February 18). It can also be seen before, after and during intermissions of all festival performances in Amare. In addition, a special viewing party will be organized so participants can show their work to family and friends.
