Description

Freshworks is KST’s creative residency for emerging artists and collaborators based in the greater Pittsburgh region. Freshworks made its debut in 2013 and supports playful exploration in performance through interdisciplinary work in contemporary dance, theater, music, and multimedia.

The program provides emerging artists with planning support and guidance, studio space, production staff, lighting and sound design, a stipend and resource budget, and encouragement for creative risk taking. Artists are invited to apply either as an individual or as a collaborative group.

Each residency will take place over a two-month period. During these two months, artists will develop a 30-minute showing that is a first draft of an original piece.

The first month is intended for planning; this includes what form the piece will take, securing collaborators, and brainstorming design. During this time, artists will meet weekly with KST Programming and Production Staff to chart out production and scheduling needs as well as utilize their outside perspectives. The intention is that KST Staff is present to pose questions that can help the artist think through various aspects of their ideas.

The second month is focused on in-studio rehearsal and creation of a 30-minute draft of the work. Weekly meetings with KST Staff continue and shift focus towards actualizing production needs. The residency will culminate in a two-night in-person showing of the draft of the piece at KST’s Alloy Studios. This includes showing the work-in-progress and a post-showing discussion with the audience for feedback.

The goal of the residency is for the artist to experiment and explore early iterations of ideas and share a draft of these concepts in front of an audience. At the end of the process, they will have valuable insights for advancing their work and managing the artistic direction of a production.