Open Performance

Please note that the OP lottery process is done via Submittable. The first step of the submission process is to create a Submittable account, or sign into your existing account. When creating an account, you will be asked for your name, your email address, and a password of your choosing. 

Individuals for whom access to an internet or wifi enabled device and/or a reliable Internet connection is not possible should contact Movement Research at (212) 598-0551 (voice only) for guidance.

For accessibility purposes, if you have issues accessing the application through Submittable, the application can be sent as an attachment by emailing accessibility@movementresearch.org. Acceptable file types: .doc, .docx, .pdf. Please note that the deadline for submitting the application as an attachment is the same as the deadline for submitting your application. 

Open Performance takes place on Tuesdays at 7pm at the Movement Research Studios at 122 Cultural Center 150 First Avenue. 

Movement Research is an accessible space. MR Studios are located on the ground floor of the building. The 122CC building and MR Studios are wheelchair accessible. MR’s second-floor office is accessible by elevator. Restrooms are wheelchair accessible and are all gender and are located across the hall from the studio. Please contact accessibility@movementresearch.org for further access requests or questions.

Open Performance takes place in The Bob (formerly Ninth Street Studio). The studio is 1560sq ft. (approximately 26′ x 60′); we typically use a little over half the space for the showing area, and half for the audience/warm-up area. There is also room available for artists to change and store their belongings

The floor is sprung wood with a gray marley on top. Shoes are allowed in the studio, but any shoes worn should not damage the marley in any way (e.g., black sole shoes).

No rosin or wax may be applied to the floor. Tape on the floor or walls may not be used without permission from Movement Research.

The use of any potentially messy and/or destructive substances (including but not limited to: clay, glass, water, sand, glitter, candles, open flame, burning candles, bodily fluids) in the studio is prohibited as well as anything that could potentially damage the dance floor and space in general. 

All use of props must be communicated and approved by Movement Research. If a performance will cause any mess and/or necessitate any clean-up, Movement Research must be informed at least two weeks in advance.

Artists are welcome to videotape and/or photograph their own work and should notify Movement Research at least one week in advance if they plan to document their performance. 

The Fall 2026 Open Performance Dates are listed below. All events are held on Tuesdays at 7pm at the Movement Research Studios at 122 Cultural Center. 

October 6
October 20
November 3
November 17
December 1
December 8

• Will Movement Research promote the performance?   
• • Movement Research will use the information provided on the lottery entry form to promote each performance. We will post a standard graphic including the artist names and images from our Open Performance archive on our website, Instagram, and our email newsletter. 
• May I promote the performance?
  • Yes, absolutely. Please properly credit the performance series title “Movement Research Open Performance,” and include the names of the other artists on the evening.
• How long is my tech?
  • 20 minutes! This is a studio showing and intended to be low tech. Limited studio lighting is available, but please keep in mind that all tech and run-throughs will need to take place in the 20 minute tech slot. 
• What are the audio/visual capabilities of the space?  
  • There will be minimal technical support and no special lighting. Plan on being technically self-sufficient if using complex sound cues and/or pre-approved props. We have an 1/8 inch auxiliary cord that attaches to mp3 players, iPhones 6 and lower, and laptops and an iPhone lightning to aux cord dongle, and a USB-C to aux cord dongle. 
• Can I bring additional lighting or sound equipment to support my performance? 
  • Yes you may, within reason, and with approval from MR Staff. We have 8 and 12 channel digital mixers, as well as a Bluetooth receiver for our Bluetooth speakers. 
• Can I use props?
  • Yes, with approval from MR staff and before the Open Performance date. 
  • Participants and performers may not use any potentially messy and/or destructive substances (including but not limited to: clay, glass, water, sand, glitter, candles, open flame, bodily fluids, organic material) in the performance space as well as anything that could potentially damage the dance floor and space in general. 
• Will there be photography/videography provided as part  of the performance?
  • Movement Research does not hire a photographer or videographer for Open Performance. On occasion, we may request to record artist tech runs for promotional or archival purposes. In those cases, we will send an Audio/Visual waiver to the artists prior to their performance day. You are welcome to invite photographers and videographers to record your performance. Please confirm with us in advance and inform the photographer or videographer that they may not record other performances.
• My performance requires accessibility services, does Movement Research provide those? 
  • Audience requests and questions can be sent to MR Staff by emailing accessibility@movementresearch.org 
  • Choreographer & Performer access requests and questions should be emailed to openperform@movementresearch.org with the subject line, “OP Access request.”