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 - 22. 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 2023, 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 2023
*Deadline: February 24
The ZDT Trainee Company will consist of up to 40 dancers ages 17 - 22.
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 22 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 15 - August 6.
- 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, current city; state, region, province; country of residence; and your home studio/school/college that provides your primary training and education.
- An improv video no more than 2 minutes in length. Must have been filmed no earlier than January 1, 2023.
- A solo video no more than 2-4 minutes in length. It can be filmed in a studio or be a performance video (no competition videos allowed). Must have been filmed no earlier than January 2022. The more recent, the better.
- 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 Friday, February 24.
- All Trainee candidates will be notified of decisions no later than April 1.
Summer 2023 Program Details
July 15 - August 6
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): $2495
- Room & Board: $1950
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.
For more information, please email auditions@zeitgeistdancetheatre.com.
The Summer 2022 Trainees
Stephanie Bell
Miami, FL
New World School of the Arts
Destinee Bouldin
Jacksonville, FL
Towson University
Jackson Bradford
Boston, MA
The Boston Conservatory at Berklee
Meredith Brown
Ashville, NC
Fordham University & Ailey School
Alyanna Carriedo
Miami, FL
New World School of the Arts
Maya Da Costa
Burnaby, British Columbia, CN
Pulse Dance Centre
Lorena Daily
Winter Park, FL
Skrya Studios
Christian De Jesus
Las Vegas, NV
Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre
Ellery Donlon
Chandler, AZ
Arizona School of the Arts
Emma Donnelly
La Jolla, CA
Danceology PAC
Fiona Dorr
Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids Ballet Trainee
Grace Fields
Marco Island, FL
The Hartt School at the University of Hartford
Marissa Furfaro
Pittsburgh, PA
SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance
Kaprice Janae Glen
Chino Hills, CA
South Bay Ballet
Katie Goeltz
Hillsborough, CA
Nor Cal Dance Arts
Zora Griffin Todd
Phoenix, AZ
Club Dance
Addison Hill
Valencia, CA
Los Angeles County High School for the Arts & Shooting Stars Dance Studio
Brooke Judge
Gilbert, AZ
Club Dance Preprofessional Company
Gabrielle Keeler
Scottsdale, AZ
Dance Connection Scottsdale
Jasmine King
Elk Grove, CA
Elite Studio of Dance
Jasmine Jade Klenotich
Palm Bay, FL
EleNoble Ballet
Brianna Lannard
Surrey, British Columbia, CN
Pulse Dance Centre & Link by Modus Operandi
Mary Luyster
Huntington, NY
Kanyok Arts Initiative
Isabella Lynch
San Diego, CA
Danceology PAC
Anastasia Miller
The Woodlands, TX
University of Arizona
Kiley Nomura
Honolulu, HI
Hawaii Ballet Theatre
Jayla Paredes
Plainfield, NJ
Eastside Dance Project
Georgia Robinson
Calgary, Alberta, CN
YYC Dance Project & Alberta Ballet School
Autumn Rodrique
Santa Clarita, CA
California Institute of the Arts
Gabriel Salazar
Santa Clarita, CA
California Institute of the Arts
Addyson Smith
Calabasas, CA
Elite Dance Center
Aubrie Stohr
Temecula, CA
Murrieta Dance Project
Alexander Thomas
Greenacres, FL
USC Kaufman School of Dance
Dayanara Vega
Hillsboro, OR
Elevate Dance Academy & Lines Dance Academy
Joey Vice
Westerville, OH
Generations Performing Arts Center
Braden Ward
Austin, TX
Dance Institute
Shana Winer
Miami, FL
Miami Dance Collective
Lana Zecchino
Verona, NJ
Kanyok Arts Initiative