The ZDT Company Experience:
About the Summer Trainee Program
ZDT is a project based professional company that offers a unique career oriented educational program for advanced preprofessional dancers ages 17 - 24. The company’s trainees are selected annually through an audition process to participate in a three-week integrated company experience during the summer, culminating in a performance at the New Century Dance Project Festival. In 2024, the ZDT Company Summer Residency, Trainee Company Experience, and NCDP festival will once again take place in beautiful Santa Fe, NM.
Through this uniquely curated experience, dancers discover a stronger sense of self, and develop an understanding of the distinct philosophy and approach of ZDT through working closely with Artistic Directors Francisco Gella and Yusha-Marie Sorzano, and other guest artists invited to participate. Vitally, this intimate program inspires a greater connection to the dance world within each young artist’s professional journey.
Dancers selected to be Zeitgeist Trainees are offered an immersive company experience encompassing both training and performance designed to play a significant role in their preparation for a future professional performance career. The Trainee’s schedule will run parallel to that of the professional dancers and apprentices. ZDT artistic directors will be working with all dancers – professionals, apprentices and trainees - to create a cohesive team experience and environment.
Our Commitment to Recruiting a Diverse Group of Trainees
and Creating a Community of Belonging
Bringing together students from diverse cultures, countries, and backgrounds creates the richest possible environment for learning and cultivates an artistic setting for the most innovative and powerful dance making. ZDT makes every effort to bring together young artists representing the world in which we live, taking into account gender, age, ethnicity and race, and internationalism, geographic origins such as urbanism and ruralism; socioeconomic background; sexual orientation and gender identity; religious beliefs; and political points of view.
Equally important, our staff foster a community that lives out an active commitment to respecting our differences and each dancer’s authenticity and individuality. We nurture an atmosphere that binds us together as human beings through recognizing our shared intrinsic value, where every dancer feels dignity, respect, and a sense of belonging from other members of the community.
Auditioning for Summer 2024
*Deadline: February 19
The ZDT Trainee Company will consist of up to 40 dancers ages 17 - 24.
Eligibility to Audition:
- Must be at least age 17 (at the time of the program’s start in July) or for college students through the final year in a BFA/BA Dance Program at the time of auditioning.
- Dancers up to age 24 who have graduated from high school who are not in college but are actively training may audition.
- Pursuing a professional dance performance career
- International dancers are strongly encouraged to audition along with dancers from the United States.
- Must be available from July 13 - August 4.
- Demonstrated maturity and respect for others to thrive in an intense environment where dancers will live and work together 24/7.
Audition Requirements:
- A video introduction showing a brief close-up shot of your face, from the shoulders up. Clearly state your full name; preferred pronouns; current city; state, region, province; country of residence; your age and level in HS or College, and your home studio/school/conservatory/college or university that provides your current primary training and education.
- An improv video no more than 60 seconds in length. Must have been filmed no earlier than September 1, 2023
- A video no more than 60 seconds that demonstrates a center tendu exercise, an adagio, and a petite allegro or small jump combination.
- All three video sections must be edited into one video, uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo so that you can share the link with your submission.
- Clothing you are wearing for videos should be form-fitting enough to see your lines clearly.
- A one-page personal statement (may not be longer than one page) that addresses your career interests and goals, how the ZDT Company Experience will contribute to helping you get there, and what you will uniquely contribute to building this year’s Trainee community.
Deadlines
- Your materials must be submitted online through the link provided here no later than Monday, February 19
- All Trainee candidates will be notified of decisions no later than March 21
For more information, please email auditions@zeitgeistdancetheatre.com.
Summer 2024 Program Details
July 13 - August 4
Santa Fe, NM
What Should I Expect?
- A daily schedule that will include company classes every morning.
- Learning choreography rep in the afternoon/evening.
- Seminars on career and professional dance topics.
- Mentor relationships with the artistic,educational, and residential directors.
- Performing world-premiere work at the New Century Dance Project (NCDP) Festival.
- Classes and workshops with choreographers and teaching artists through full participation in the NCDP choreography and performance intensive from Monday through Sunday of the third week.
- Acquisition of skills and experience, and photographic/video footage for college admission and/or professional company auditions.
- Learning the pace, structure and flow of professional company life through an extended immersive experience.
An intensive 24/7 living/learning environment requiring a commitment to getting along with people who are different then yourself.
Eligibility
Advanced dancers ages 17-22. At least five years of classical ballet training, modern, and contemporary, with cross-training in other styles preferred. Strong interest in pursuing a professional performance career required. Curiosity and interest in applying and integrating diverse styles of dance and other art forms desired.
Tuition / Lodging
- Tuition for 22 days (includes New Century Dance Project Festival fees): $2,595
- Room & Board: $2,095
Equity Scholarship Fund
A limited amount of full and partial scholarship assistance will be offered to trainees with the highest amount of demonstrated financial need. Optional application is included in your audition submission. You’ll need a detailed letter outlining your current financial situation with an explanation of why you can’t attend without support. Awards will be made at the same time decision letters are sent.
Attendance Requirements
Dancers must be initially available and willing to commit to rehearsals and performances in-person from July 15 - August 6. Dancers will be expected to arrive in New Mexico on Saturday, July 15 and leave after 5pm on Sunday, August 6.
Audition
Click here to audition or please email auditions@zeitgeistdancetheatre.com if you have any questions.
The Summer 2023 Trainees
Jaelyn Beltram
Las Vegas, NV
Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre and Las Vegas Academy of The Arts
Faith Bender
Severna Park, MD
Montclair State University
Sophie Biederman
Santa Fe, NM
New Mexico School for the Arts and National Dance Institute New Mexico
Bianca Calderon
San José/Pittsburgh, Costa Rica/PA
Point Park University
Alyanna Carriedo
Coral Gables, FL
New World School of the Arts and Miami Dance Project
Annika Davis
Manhattan, NY
Joffrey Ballet School
Christian De Jesus
Las vegas, NV
Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre
Ellery Donlon
Chandler, AZ
The School of Ballet Arizona and Arizona School for the Arts
Zuzu Duchon
Newport Beach, CA
Project 21 and Yorba Linda Academy of Ballet
Georgia Ehrlich
Los Angeles, CA
The Company and Archer School for Girls
Julia Farrell
Cincinnati, OH
Rapture Dance Company
Paige Finley
Chicago, IL
The Ailey School and Fordham University
Elena García
Santa Fe, NM
New Mexico School for the Arts and National Dance Institute New Mexico
Jadie Gonzales
Santa Fe, NM
New Mexico School for the Arts and National Dance Institute New Mexico
Audry Gonzalez-Rutt
Santa Fe, NM
New Mexico School for the Arts and National Dance Institute New Mexico
Zora Griffin Todd
Phoenix, AZ
Club Dance Studio and Ballet Etudes
Shea Hancock
Stockton, CA
USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance
Cydney Heard
Las Vegas, NV
Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre
Roselana Hermoso
Valencia/Tampa, Venezuela/FL
Howard W. Blake High School for the Arts
Lilia Holladay
Santa Fe, NM
New Mexico School for the Arts and National Dance Institute New Mexico
William Huguet
Baton Rouge, LA
Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts and Jean Leigh Academy of Dance
Benjamin Jones
Albuquerque, NM
Sandra’s School of Dance, Public Academy for Performing Arts
Jasmine King
Elk Grove, CA
Elite Studio of Dance
Sage Kowalkowski
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
University of California, San Diego
Alissa Magno
Waipahu, HI
Punahou Dance School
Juliette Martinez
Laguna Hills, CA
UCLA
David McCool
Warner Robins, GA
Studio Powers
Holly McDowd
Lake Oswego, OR
Elevate Dance Academy
Kiley Nomura
Honolulu, HI
Hawaii Ballet Theatre
Orlando Paz
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles County High School for the Arts
Sienna Pearson
San Diego, CA
Coronado School of the Arts and Aspire Dance Company
Camila Perez
Miami, FL
New World School of the Arts and Miami Dance Project.
Selah Piett
Newark, NJ
Montclair State University
Michaela Ramirez
Los Ángeles, CA
Los Ángeles County High School for the Arts and Debbie Allen Dance Academy
Aidan Robbins
Boston, MA
Boston Conservatory
Autumn Rodrigue
Miami, FL
Korea National University of Arts and Cal Arts
Julian Rodriguez
Phoenix, AZ
Ascend Dance Academy
Brooke Sahawneh
Kingman, AZ
CLI Conservatory
Addyson Smith
Woodland Hills, CA
Elite Dance Center
Aubrie Stoehr
Temecula, CA
Murrieta Dance Project
Noelani Van Loon
Santa Fe, NM
New Mexico School for the Arts and National Dance Institute New Mexico
Dayanara Vega
Hillsboro, OR
MVP Dance Elite and Arts and Communications Magnet Academy