NextSteps 2026: Open Call for dance makers
Over the past ten years, the Junior Company of Dutch National Ballet and ISH Dance Collective have shown through several successful collaborative projects how ballet and hip hop can complement and strengthen each other. Through the NextSteps programme, we aim to give a new generation of makers the opportunity to explore the synergy between these two dance forms.
With this open call, we invite new makers to submit a plan for a short choreography (10-15 minutes) for 2 to 3 dancers, in which the interaction between ballet and hip hop takes centre stage. This plan may be based on a theme, a methodology, a formal idea, a piece of music, or another angle; the only requirement is that both ballet and hip hop are represented in the work. The idea must also be well developed and feasible to realise within a short period of time.
The open call welcomes new makers from all dance forms. By ‘new makers’ we mean choreographers who have already created several works for professional dancers.
Plans can be submitted until 1 December 2025 via opencall@operaballet.nl
Practical information
Selection process
Submissions will be reviewed by Liam McCall (one of the makers from the previous edition of NextSteps), Ernst Meisner (Artistic Director of the Junior Company) and Marco Gerris (Artistic Director of ISH Dance Collective).
Rehearsal period
- 16, 23 and 30 May 2026
- 3, 15, 19, 22, 23 and 25 June 2026
Performances
26 and 27 June 2026, in Studio Boekman, the small theatre of Dutch National Opera & Ballet.
Participation requires that you are available on the dates above (rehearsal period and performances) and that you are resident in the Netherlands.
Submission deadline
1 December 2025
FAQ
How do I submit my idea?
Send your concept plan to opencall@operaballet.nl by 1 December 2025 at the latest.
Be sure to answer the following questions:
- What is your relationship to dance, ballet and/or hip hop, and why do you want to take part in this project?
- What would you like to present on stage? State the artistic core elements of your plan.
- What experience have you gained so far as a dancer and/or maker, and how will this project contribute to your development?
Please attach your CV and up to three video links (YouTube, no password).
How much rehearsal time will I have?
Each maker will receive a total of 40 rehearsal hours, spread across the dates listed, to create a piece of 10-15 minutes. On 25 June there will be time to run and mount the piece in Studio Boekman.
Welke kosten worden gedekt?
- Dancer fees are covered by ISH Dance Collective and the Junior Company.
- Each choreographer receives a fee for preparation, rehearsals and performances, based on experience and the Fair Practice Code.
- A lighting design will be created in consultation with us. We will also together explore possibilities for costumes and any props.
- The choice of music will be determined in consultation with us.
- Travel expenses arising from the execution of the project will be reimbursed in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Theatre and Dance (CAO Toneel en Dans).
May I choose my own dancers?
The plan you submit is for a work with hip hop dancers and dancers from the Junior Company of Dutch National Ballet. The total ensemble per work consists of two or three dancers, of whom at least one is a ballet dancer.
Regarding the ballet dancers: if your idea is selected, you can indicate which Junior Company dancers you would prefer to work with, so we can take this into account in the casting. The final casting will be decided by us, based on the wishes of all selected choreographers.
Regarding the hip hop dancers: you may propose one or two dancers yourself, but we can also – If desired – suggest hip hop dancers affiliated with ISH.
Questions?
Contact us at opencall@operaballet.nl.
