westfest New Works Festival & INtensive
westFEST: New Works Festival and Intensive is a vibrant, immersive celebration of contemporary dance and movement arts in the Mountain West. This year, we’re blending a week-long workshop intensive offering professional-level training, collaboration, and performance opportunities with a weekend performance festival showcasing innovative works from local and regional artists.
Whether you're a dancer seeking training opportunities, an artist ready to showcase your work, or an audience member looking for a sensational weekend of dance and performance, there are multiple ways to participate and engage with the festival.
westFEST
Intensive
westFEST Intensive Participation Opportunities:
PERFORMANCE COHORT Train in the morning with Missoula artists, followed by a Contemporary Modern technique class from out-of-state guests. Collaborate with professional dancers and choreographers in the afternoon and eveningto create a piece to be performed on August 14 and 15.
WEEK SCHEDULE: AUG 9 | 2-9pm AUG 10 - 13 | 9am-9pm AUG 14 | 9-10am + Evening Performance (call 5:30pm, show 7:30pm) AUG 15 | Afternoon Performance (call 12pm, show 2pm)
TRAINING TRACK The westFEST Training Track is designed for dancers and movers who are uninterested or incapable of performing in the festival performances. Training Track participants are included in both the warm-up classes by rotating Missoula teachers and daily technique classes taught by out of town guest.
WEEK SCHEDULE:
AUG 10 - 14 |9-10am AUG 10 - 13 | 10:15am-12pm
okay…Go!
Dance showcase
Okay... GO! is westFEST's dance showcase and open for all movers, dancers, choreographers, and performers! We encourage NEW movement and dance performances of all types: improvised, works-in-progress, excerpts of larger pieces, experimental, and multi-disciplinary. All styles welcome!
2026 OKAY…GO!
4th ANNUAL DANCE SHOWCASE
ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS now until July 15, 2026
REQUIREMENTS: Work must be under 10 minutes with minimal tech needs — only one light look and one sound cue.
REHEARSALS: Starting May 1, Okay...GO! pieces receive up to 2hrs of rehearsal space each week at the Westside Theater. (Schedule dependent on availability - priority in order of submission form received)
IMPORTANT DATES:
One tech rehearsal slot between August 10- 14
Dress Rehearsal: Sunday, August 16
Two Showcase Performances: Sunday, August 16