The “Professional Training Program for Choreographers” is a project whose first edition started in 2023 as part of Derida Dance Center’s strategy to enhance the competencies of young choreographers and support their career development. The program’s primary focus is on sharing experience in creating a dance performance and its subsequent dissemination. The artistic director of the program is Zhivko Zhelyazkov, and the mentoring team includes professionals who have proven their skills in the following areas: dramaturgy – Ida Daniel, music and sound design – Ivan Shopov, visual environment – Albena Baeva, lighting design – Viktor, and art management – Atanas Maev. The project has a duration of six months and culminates in the presentation of results, with each of the six selected choreographers presenting their own dance miniature (up to 15 minutes) on the Derida Stage.

The “Professional Training Program for Choreographers” is a logical upgrade of Dance Port Derida – the first project that Derida Dance Center launched with a focus on training. It is aimed at anyone who wishes to develop dance skills and other necessary competencies for professional realization as dance artists. The program lasts 12 months and offers an intensive schedule of workshops in contemporary dance, modern dance, classical ballet, and other dance practices. The training includes guest choreographers from Europe, America, Canada, and Asia, who conduct workshops with the program participants. Since the program’s inception in 2011, more than 90 dancers have graduated, many of whom now form the contemporary dance scene today.

The goal of the program is to develop the in-depth professional competence of young choreographers in the comprehensive preparation and creation of stage productions under the guidance of the program’s artistic director, Zhivko Zhelyazkov. In addition to working with him, selected participants will collaborate with five trainers from different fields: Ivan Shopov – music and sound design, Albena Baeva – visual environment and new media, Viktor Georgiev – lighting design, Ida Daniel – dramaturgy for dance performances, and Atanas Maev – art management.

Participants have the opportunity to gain experience from international guest choreographers and to develop individual plans for future professional career development. They are tasked with identifying potential contacts and partnerships with professional networks and colleagues in Bulgaria and abroad. The program includes both theoretical and practical components and culminates in a public presentation of the developed projects (dance miniatures up to 15 minutes) at Derida Stage. Two of the projects will be selected for inclusion in the Derida Dance Center residency program, providing additional stage work access and funding of 1500 BGN to cover production costs for further development of the dance performances.

Program Timeline

• Invitation to apply
• Start of the Training Program: April 18, 2023.
• Theoretical Part: April 18 – June weekly, 2 hours each session)
• Research Work and Individual Consultations with Lecturers: June 18 – July 31 (scheduled twice weekly, 2 hours per session, according to participants’ availability and Derida Stage’s schedule. If necessary, stage access in August based on individual needs)
• Production Activities: September 11 – October 20 (finalizing sound, visual environment, and lighting design with an individual plan for each participant)
• Public Presentation: October 26-31 (or early November) at Derida Stage

The “Professional Training Program for Choreographers” project by Derida Dance Center is implemented with financial support from the National Culture Fund under the “Creative Development”