3rd Coast Contemporary Dance Program
The 3rd Coast Contemporary Dance program is a partnership between Winifred Haun & Dancers (WH&D) and Chicago Movement Collective (CMC). It offers experienced dancers a chance to train and rehearse with a professional dance company in Chicago. The program is dancer centered, and performance based.​

There are 3 ways to Audition for 3rd Coast:
1. Audition In Person:
Sat., January 24
5:00pm to 8:00pm
Definition Dance Academy, 2525 N. Elston, Chicago
Submit the Audition Application form here.

2. Audition by video:
In the App, upload a link to your reel
OR
1. Make a 1-2 minute recording of yourself improvising, with or without music. Feel free to improvise whatever dance form you feel is your best. Hip hop, contemporary, jazz, tap, ballet, modern, Spanish dance, Classical Indian, West African, and many more forms are all completely acceptable. You can combine dance forms in the video, too.
2. Record your video on your cell phone (or camera or other device). Feel free to record in whatever space you have available: dance studio, living room, backyard, park, alley, etc. No editing required.
3. After you complete your video, upload it to YouTube, Vimeo or Google, and put the link in the answer box in the application.
More details are in the Application here


3. Audition by taking Company Class.
Details are available in the Audition form.
We will consider applications submitted after the deadline, when possible.
 

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2026-27 Program Details
September 11, 2026 to June 7, 2027
Fri., September 11 - Orientation
Mon., September 14 - first class & rehearsal
 

Schedule
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
10:00am to 1:30pm
 

• Program dancers take 4-6 classes, and rehearse 4-6 hours per week with WH&D.

• There will be at least 3 paid opportunities to perform in a professional setting

• There will be regular evaluation sessions with Artistic Director Winifred Haun and Program Director Julia Schaeffer

• Choreographic mentorship and opportunities available

• Dancers train in Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Contemporary forms, West African, Hip-Hop, and more 

• 90% of the dancers who have participated in the program have booked professional opportunities with Chicago-based companies and choreographers.
   

Tuition: $550 per month for 9 months 
Discount available if full year (9 months) is paid by September 12
Partial Scholarships available.
Need a scholarship? Questions? Contact us at winifredhaundance@gmail.com

Deposit: $550 due by September 1, 2025


Learn More & Apply Here

 

3rd Coast Contemporary Dance Program
Julia Schaeffer, Program Director
Summer Smith, Program Administrator
Winifred Haun, Program Adviser​​