“ So much of our lives as creatives are dictated by strict rules and deliverables to funders, programmers, etc. The freedom and joy I experienced in this open creative process as a result of the trust Untellable placed in me and my work was valuable beyond words, and without a doubt led to some of the most rewarding and valuable explorations I have experienced in the studio in a long time.”

-Kai Bryan

Artist Residency Program

Untellable Movement Theatre provides studio space, in partnership with Lynn Panting Dance, mentorship and technical/administrative support to enable movers to develop their artistic vision through creation, outreach activities, dance on film, and site-specific performances.

The residency takes place between June and September of 2024. In addition to a $2,500 residency fee, the artist is offered a $1000 discretionary budget for artistic support. This budget allows the artist in residence to pay other artists to work with them. This may be additional dancers to set choreography on, artistic collaborators, mentorship, and/or outside eye fees.

Untellable’s Residency Program supports dance in unexpected places, dance on film, and community connection. We are looking for artists and projects that connect to this mandate.

We encourage movers at every stage of their practice to apply.

Artists in Residency are subject to Untellable’s Best Practices.

Applications are open on April 1, 2024.

Untellable recognizes the need for further equity, diversity and inclusion in dance, movement theatre, and trans-disciplinary performance. Untellable strives to recognize and undo structural inequities, to be inclusive and to support diversity in programming. We welcome and encourage applications from artists who may come from communities that are historically on the margins or are traditionally under-represented in cultural institutions.  

2024

Residency

Applications open April 1, 2024.

The deadline is April 29, 2024.

Application Checklist

  • Current CV

  • Video Links to work

  • Statement of Interest (Why this residency? Why now? Why Untellable?)

  • Statement of Project (What are you looking to do with us? How can we help support you?)

If possible we encourage applicants to answer our “statement of interest” and “statement of project” questions via a short video. Written submissions are also welcome, 750 words maximum per question.

Applications and accompanying links  must be emailed to untellablemovementtheatre@gmail.com by 11:00pm (NST), April 29, 2024.

Past Residencies

Alex Fehr 2022

Untellable was delighted to support emerging choreographer, Alex Fehr, in the next phase of his movement journey. Known as an accomplished technical performer, Alex spent the summer exploring site-specific work, as well as digital dance with collaborators Andrya Duff and Chris Hibbs.

Originally from Regina Saskatchewan, Alex studied across Canada training extensively in classical ballet, contemporary and tap. Upon graduating from school, Alex danced for Minnesota Ballet, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, Theatre Vanemuine, Latvian National Ballet and Kittiwake Dance Theatre.

Kai Bryan 2023

Kai Bryan is an award-winning visual artist and drag clown. Kai's movement practice includes aerial circus, dance, contortion, and clowning, all of which become tools for decadent, serious, and silly drag performances. As an installation artist and garment designer, Kai is keen to explore the ways these movement repertoires interact with their environment. Kai is a regular host and performer with many organizations and festivals including Lawnya Vawnya, Neighbourhood Dance Works, Wonderbolt Circus, and the St. John's International Circusfest. They are the recipient of the VANL-CARFAC Emerging Artist Award (2014) and Milestone Award (2021), and of grants from the City of St. John's, ArtsNL, and the Canada Council. Kai adores collaborative practice, and is a member of St. John's most bizarre drag collective the Phlegm Fatales. Kai is inspired by science fiction, horror cinema, and aquatic creatures.

Through the Untellable residency, Kai worked with Robyn Breen, Josh Murphy, and Sara Tilley to explore and develop movement repertoires inspired by their favourite shapeshifter: the octopus. Kai will be workshopping this movement towards a larger, multi-media/installation piece that uses the octopus as a poetic symbol for trans experience.

photo of Kai Bryan by Scott Humber