Want to find out more about upcoming programs? Please subscribe to our mailing list.
EnglishFrench
Program Information
Colossus, 2018. Photo by Mark Gambino.
Overview
Led by Stephanie Lake Company, this three-week intensive brings together a large ensemble of contemporary dancers to train, rehearse, and perform Colossus, Stephanie Lake’s internationally acclaimed work for 50+ dancers.
Colossus is a monumental work in which dozens of individual performers become a single, continually transforming organism. Moving between unison and disruption, control and unpredictability, the work examines how individuals negotiate agency, leadership, conformity, resistance, and connection within a group.
Through the transmission and performance of this large-scale work, participants will engage with Lake’s choreographic language while developing precision, stamina, spatial awareness, responsiveness, and trust. The program combines rigorous professional training, artistic research, and performance, offering firsthand experience of Stephanie Lake Company’s creative practice and strengthening the technical, interpretive, and collaborative skills required for contemporary dance.
Description
Over three weeks, participants will learn and embody the work through an intensive process led by Stephanie Lake Company artists. The transmission of the choreography is not only preparation for performance: it is an opportunity to investigate the physical, spatial, and interpersonal systems that make large-ensemble performance possible. Program content includes:
- Embody the choreographic language of Colossus
Learn and perform complex movement material shaped by repetition, pattern, task-based improvisation, and structured chaos. - Develop ensemble intelligence
Build the spatial awareness, timing, attention, and responsiveness required to navigate a large and continually shifting group. - Explore individual agency and collective force
Investigate how personal choices, leadership, adaptation, and resistance operate within tightly structured ensemble choreography. - Strengthen stamina and performance presence
Strengthen communication, adaptability, generosity, and trust through a rehearsal process in which every dancer is responsible for the integrity of the whole. - Experience a professional performance process
Move from choreographic transmission and studio research through rehearsal, technical integration, and two fully produced public performances.
The intensive culminates in two public performances of Colossus on June 25 and 26.
Requirements
This program is intended for emerging, early-career and professional contemporary dancers interested in rigorous physical practice, large-scale ensemble performance, and collaborative choreographic process. Applicants should demonstrate:
- Strong contemporary dance training or equivalent professional experience.
- Physical coordination, stamina, musicality, and spatial awareness.
- The ability to learn and retain complex movement material.
- A responsive and expressive performance presence.
- Openness to repetition, improvisation, and task-based choreographic processes.
- The ability to work generously and attentively within a large ensemble.
- Readiness to participate fully in an intensive three-week rehearsal and performance process.
No specific degree or formal credential is required. Dancers who have previously participated in a Colossus production are encouraged to apply.
Participants must attend all elements of the program for its full duration; variable participation dates cannot be accommodated.
Eligibility
Applicants must be 18+ at the time of the program start date.
Domestic and international applications are welcome.
Visa Eligibility Information:
- Please note that Banff Centre programs do not meet the eligibility requirements for a Canadian Student Visa.
- If you are accepted into our program, you must obtain a Visitor Visa to enter Canada. Accepted participants are responsible for identifying and complying with the immigration requirements to enter Canada as a visitor from their country of origin. If you require a Visitor Visa please check the current expected processing times well in advance of applying.
Inclusivity Statement
We welcome applicants of all ages (18+), backgrounds, gender identities and expressions to apply. Artists from historically underrepresented and equity deserving groups are especially welcome.
Itinerary
- Week 1: Company practice, choreographic transmission, movement research, and ensemble-building.
- Week 2: Continued transmission, detailed rehearsal, and development of the work’s spatial and rhythmic systems.
- Week 3: Integration of the full work, production and technical rehearsals, and public performances.
June 25 and 26: Public performances of Colossus.
Faculty
Stephanie Lake
Stephanie Lake was born in Saskatoon, Canada, raised in Tasmania and is now based in Melbourne, Australia. She has been choreographing for over 25 years and founded Stephanie Lake Company in 2014. She was appointed Resident Choreographer of The Australian Ballet in 2024 and Artist in Residence (AiR) of Semperoper Ballet, Dresden in 2025. Her major works including The Chronicles, Manifesto, Colossus, Circle Electric, Pile of Bones and Double Blind have been performed across Australia and toured to 17 countries worldwide.
Lake has created works for the Nuremberg Ballet, The Australian Ballet, Sydney Dance Company, Queensland Ballet, Dancenorth, New Zealand Dance Company, Chunky Move, Tasdance, Expressions Dance Company, Beijing Dance/LDTX, Stompin and Frontier Danceland (Singapore) among others. She collaborates across theatre, film, opera, visual art and music video and has directed several large-scale public participation performances involving over 2500 participants.
Lake’s works have won Helpmann, Green Room and Australian Dance Awards for Outstanding Choreography and have been nominated for a Hong Kong Performance Award and a Buenos Aires Theatre Award for Best International Show. She is the recipient of a prestigious Sidney Myer Creative Fellowship, the Chloe Munro Fellowship, the Dame Peggy Van Praagh Choreographic Fellowship, and an Australia Council Fellowship for Dance. Her performance career spanned twenty years, during which she toured and danced extensively with Chunky Move, Lucy Guerin Inc and Phillip Adams’ BalletLab. Lake sits on the Victorian College of the Arts Advisory Board.
Image by Pedro Grieg
Faculty
Nicole Muscat
Nicole is a professional contemporary dance artist based in Melbourne. She trained full-time at Transit Dance where she completed her Certificate 4 in Dance, as well as her Diploma in Dance and Elite Performance. Nikky also went on to acquire her Certificate 4 in Dance Teaching and Training. Since her studies, Nikky has been working professionally in the contemporary dance scene between Melbourne and Perth, and is Lead Rehearsal Director for Stephanie Lake Company’s Colossus. Nikky has taught and toured Colossus to London, South Korea, Switzerland, Geneva, Toronto, Montreal, Buenos Aires, Taipei, Hong Kong, Newcastle (Aus), Perth, Sydney, France and Germany. Nikky also performed in the original season of Colossus in Melbourne.
Nikky has been teaching dance for over a decade in many styles, as well as in choreography and technical development.
Faculty
Sarah McCrorie
Sarah McCrorie is a freelance contemporary dancer with a passion for creative development, improvisation and live performance. Sarah has performed in various works such as Colossus (2018) by Stephanie Lake Company, ‘A study of Being’ (2019) by Kayla Douglas, ‘Hard-Cover Ctrl’ (2022) by Victor Rottier, ‘Hysterics’ (2023) by Kayla Douglas, and MASS MOVEMENT by Stephanie Lake Company. Sarah has also worked extensively with choreographers such as Alice Topps, Lina Limosani, Cass Mortimer Eipers and Isaac Carols.
Beyond her performance work, Sarah has worked as a Rehearsal Director for Stephanie Lake Company’s internationally renowned work Colossus. Since 2019, Sarah has remounted and toured Colossus to Sydney, Paris, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Geneva, Montreal, Toronto, Brisbane, Dresden (Germany), London and Galway (Ireland).
Faculty
What's Included
Meal Plan
Read more
Close
All meals at Vistas Dining Room are included in your meal plan. Our buffet-style service offers a variety of options, allowing you to choose meals that best suit your needs throughout your stay.
Banff Centre can respond to most dietary requests. In advance of your arrival, please contact Participant Resources if you have special dietary needs. A medical report from your doctor is required prior to arrival for any medical condition that warrants opting out of the Meal Plan.
Accommodation
Read more
Close
Your program fee includes a single bedroom on the Banff Centre campus for the duration of your program.
Get connected with other artists on campus and focus on your projects in a creative environment while we take care of the day-to-day essentials.
Studio Space
Read more
Close
Create in one of our specialized studios.
Showcase Your Work
Read more
Close
This program offers opportunities to showcase your work-in-progress.
Group Seminars/Workshops
Read more
Close
Group seminars and workshops with faculty.
Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives
Read more
Close
The Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives are delighted to support Banff Centre Participants, Artists, and Faculty
Campus Facilities
Read more
Close
- Participant Resources: Enrich your experience and get to know other artists on campus by taking advantage of the activities and support provided.
- Sally Borden Fitness and Recreation Centre: Your program fee includes free access to the swimming pool, climbing gym and fitness suite.
- Box Office Discounts: Enjoy special artist rates or complimentary access for ticketed performances.
Fees & Financial Assistance
Application Fee
$65 for individuals or groups, $35 for applicants who identify as Indigenous.
This non-refundable fee covers the full cost of processing your application, including the SlideRoom fee.
Scholarships
We are pleased to offer a range of scholarships to support participants in our programs.
- Banff Centre Arts Scholarship
Program participants receive a Banff Centre Arts Scholarship that covers the cost of tuition, plus a contribution towards accommodation and meals.
*Participant costs shown above reflect the cost after the scholarship has been applied. To be eligible for Banff Centre scholarship, please complete the Financial Aid section when uploading your supporting materials.
- Canadian Indigenous Arts Scholarship
Canadian Indigenous Arts applicants receive a scholarship that covers the full cost of tuition, accommodation and meals.
Additional Funding
There are a limited number of Banff Centre Named Scholarships for eligible Canadian and International participants. No separate application is required, all eligible applications are automatically considered.
Explore these and additional external ways to fund your experience by reviewing our curated list of national and international opportunities here.
Cancellations
Information on our cancellation policy can be found here.
Tax Information
Banff Centre is a post-secondary institution in the province of Alberta. We are required to issue tax receipts for applicable financial assistance and awards received, and eligible tuition charged, as per the Income Tax Act and Canada Revenue Agency. To learn more, please visit Tax Information for program participants and/ or P105 Students and Income Tax 2025.
How to Apply
Learn more about the steps to Complete Your Application.
Step 1:
Complete the Online FormStep 2:
Please login with the username and password emailed to you on completion of step 1.
Step 3:
Upload Your MaterialsResume
A two-page resume or C.V. describing academic, professional, and other relevant experience.
Cover Letter
A one-page cover letter explaining why you are interested in this program and what you hope to achieve by attending it.
Portfolio
Submit one to three video clips, totaling no more than five minutes of footage that clearly demonstrates your dancing. Performance, rehearsal, or studio footage is welcome.
Please choose material that best represents your movement range, performance presence, musicality, and ability to work within an ensemble. If submitting group footage, clearly identify yourself.
Financial Assistance
Be sure to complete the Financial Aid question in SlideRoom to be eligible for the financial assistance.
Adjudication
Participants are chosen by an adjudication panel comprising of internal and external assessors. The selection criteria include:
- Technical capacity and movement clarity.
- Musicality, coordination, and spatial awareness.
- Performance presence and expressive range.
- Responsiveness and suitability for large-ensemble practice.
- Readiness to benefit from and contribute to an intensive professional training environment.
Our programs are highly competitive with a limited number of places available. Applicants will be notified of their selection status as soon as the adjudication process is complete. Due to the high volume of applications individual feedback will not be provided.
Disclaimer
All programs, faculty, dates, fees, and offers of financial assistance are subject to change. Program fee is subject to applicable taxes. Non-refundable fees and deposits will be retained upon cancellation. Any other fees are refunded at the discretion of the Banff Centre. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. Mountain Standard Time.
Contact Admissions
For questions on preparing your application, please contact Admissions:
Toll Free Number (Canada + USA)
1.800.565.9989
Phone
403.762.6180