Open Stage

We realize how important it is to be able to show who you are and what you can do, or to try something out in front of an audience to see if it works. During the Open Podium, ISH gives creators and performers the opportunity to present their own work, lasting up to 10 minutes, to an audience of friends, colleagues, and interested parties at De Sloot.

Open Podium 2026–2027

This season, we are organising three editions of Open Podium.

Autumn 2026

Open Podium: Saturday 17 October 2026
Application deadline: 13 September 2026
Selection announcement: 15 September 2026
Technical and rehearsal days: 15 and 16 October 2026

Winter 2027

Open Podium date: to be confirmed
Application deadline: 13 December 2026
Selection announcement: 15 December 2026
Technical and rehearsal days: 21 and 22 January 2027

Spring 2027

Dates will be announced later.

Who is Open Podium for?

Open Podium is for makers and performers who want to present their own work. You can apply if:

your work aligns with ISH’s artistic profile and vision;
you work in hiphop, urban dance, urban sports or related disciplines;
you have an existing piece of no more than 10 minutes;
you are at least 16 years old;
you are available for both the technical and rehearsal days and Open Podium itself.

Good to know: taking part in the technical and rehearsal days is part of Open Podium. Please make sure you are available on these days before applying.

What does ISH offer?

If you are selected:

you will perform for an audience at De Sloot;
you will receive technical support for lighting and sound;
we will take a professional stage photo of your performance;
you will receive a video recording of your performance that you can use on your own channels;
you will meet other makers and performers from within and around the ISH community.

The studio at De Sloot has basic theatre lighting and sound facilities. Together with you, ISH will make sure your work is presented as effectively as possible from a technical perspective.

How does the selection process work?

There is room for approximately 6 to 8 acts per edition. If we receive more applications than there are available places, we will make a selection. We look at, among other things:

how well the dance or performance style fits ISH’s artistic profile;
diversity within the overall programme, for example solos, duets and group pieces;
whether you have taken part in Open Podium before.

Where possible, we also aim to give space to makers who have not previously performed at Open Podium. After the application deadline, you will hear whether you have been selected for that edition.

Ready to take the stage?

Do you want to test new work, gain stage experience or share your performance with an audience? Apply for the next edition of Open Podium.

More information

Would you like more information about Open Podium? Then please contact Nathalie Décory, Head of Education and Community at nathalie@ishdancecollective.com.