Community Artists Experience | Zion Dance Project

About the Community Artists Experience

An Open Invitation into Embodied Movement & Creative Discovery

The Community Artist Experience is designed for movers, dancers, and curious creatives who feel drawn to explore embodied movement within a welcoming and supportive environment. Whether you are new to dance, returning after time away, or simply seeking a deeper connection to your body and creativity, this experience offers an accessible pathway into the world of Zion Dance Project's Summer Series.

Rooted in contemporary movement practices, somatic awareness, and Spirit-led exploration, the Community Artist track invites participants to engage with dance as a living, evolving practice rather than a fixed performance standard. This is a space where curiosity is valued, process is honored, and each participant is encouraged to move at their own pace while discovering new ways of inhabiting their body.

Participants can expect guided movement exploration, improvisation, relational practices, and opportunities to expand awareness through both physical and creative inquiry. At Zion, we believe dance belongs to everyone — and this experience is an invitation to step into movement as a place of connection, growth, and joy.

Who Is the Community Artist Experience For?

This 16-day immersive experience is for movers who feel ready to commit to a meaningful creative process within the Summer Series environment. The Community Artist track is ideal for beginner to intermediate movers, returning dancers, and creative explorers who desire structured guidance while engaging contemporary movement practices in an encouraging environment.

Participants are invited to engage consistently in daily movement sessions, rehearsals, and shared creative exploration, culminating in a performance in the Summer Series concert alongside the broader Summer Series gathering. No extensive technical background is required — only a willingness to show up with curiosity, presence, play and openness to the process.

Maybe something in you is curious.
Maybe something in you has been quietly longing to move again — or to discover movement in a new way.

You don’t need to arrive as a professional dancer or have everything figured out.
This space is not about fitting into a mold; it is about coming as you are and allowing yourself to become more alive in your body, your creativity, and your story.

If you feel even a small yes inside, we invite you to trust it.
Pull up a chair. Step into the room. There is a place for you here.

Zion Summer Series 2026
Come explore. Come reconnect. Come belong.

A Note on Faith
Zion Dance Project is rooted in the Way of Christ — not as a restrictive system, but as a lived relational experience with God. Our work is shaped by a belief that God dwells with His people - within the body, in the world around us, speaking through creation and continuously inviting us into communion and wholeness rather than fragmentation.

We do not require dancers to hold specific beliefs, but we do invite respect for the spiritual integrity of the space. Many dancers encounter God here not through explanation, but through experience and presence.

Program Details

Dates, Location and Schedule

June 26 - July 11, 2026

Plano, TX

The Series will kickoff the morning of Friday (6/26) and end following the final presentation of the Sumer Series Concert on Saturday (7/11). Registered dancers will receive a detailed schedule via email

For an overview of the schedule CLICK HERE

Admission

To be considered for the Community Artist Experience, applicants are asked to complete a simple application that helps us get to know you and your interest in the Summer Series journey. This process is not about technical perfection or professional experience — it is an opportunity for us to understand your curiosity, openness, and willingness to engage in embodied exploration.

As part of the application, you will submit a recent photo (a selfie is perfectly fine), a short intent video introducing yourself and sharing why you feel drawn to this experience, and a “dance prayer” video. The dance prayer is a brief movement exploration designed to reflect your willingness to move and explore rather than demonstrate technical skill. You may film this in a location that inspires or comforts you, using a song that feels meaningful — allowing us to see how you connect with movement in an authentic and personal way.

Applications open: February 9, 2026
Early Bird discount available until March 9, 2026
Applications close: May 31, 2026

Acceptance Announcement: Once submitted, applicants can expect to receive a response within approximately two weeks via email.

Submit Application

Tuition

Tuition for the Community Artist Experience is $900, along with a $100 registration fee required to secure your place upon acceptance.

Scholarships are very limited, and all applicants are automatically considered for any available scholarship support at the time their application is reviewed by Zion Dance Project leadership. International scholarships are available for dancers who reside outside of the United States.

An Early Bird discount is available until March 9, 2026, offering $250 off tuition for those ready to commit early. To receive this discount, tuition must be paid in full by the March 9 deadline. We encourage dancers who feel drawn to the experience to apply early, as spaces are limited and early commitment helps us shape the community and creative process intentionally.

Travel and Accommodations

ZDP Summer Series participants are responsible for arranging their own travel and accommodation while in DFW.

Accepted dancers will be invited to join our private BAND community page. This space allows participants traveling to the DFW area to connect with one another, including those interested in coordinating shared housing during the Summer Series experience. Throughout the program, the BAND page will also serve as a central communication hub where dancers can receive updates, review rehearsal footage, and access shared content that helps archive and celebrate our time together.

Disclaimer: The BAND group is provided as a community connection resource. Summer Series organizers do not coordinate, arrange, or assume responsibility for housing, roommate matching, or individual housing agreements. All housing arrangements are made independently by participants.

Here is a list of accommodations in the Plano/Frisco area. We recommend booking early due to the summer travel demand in this area.

Premium / Walkable Legacy West Area
Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West Hotel

Dallas/Plano Marriott at Legacy Town Center

Sandman Signature Plano‑Frisco Hotel

Balanced pricing and close proximity.

Courtyard Dallas Plano in Legacy Park

Courtyard by Marriott Dallas Plano Parkway at Preston Road

NYLO Dallas Plano Hotel, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

Extended Stay / Suite Options (Ideal for multi-week stays) with kitchenettes and larger rooms for longer visits.
Home2 Suites by Hilton Plano Legacy West

Staybridge Suites Plano – Legacy West Area

Homewood Suites by Hilton Plano‑Richardson

Alternative Housing Options
Many Summer Series dancers also choose:

Airbnb or VRBO rentals (search “Legacy West,” “West Plano,” or “Frisco”)

Furnished corporate apartments for longer stays

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Summer Series for me?

Do I need contact improvisation experience?

No prior experience is required — only a willingness to explore with curiosity and openness. Contact improvisation will be introduced gradually with clear guidance, emphasizing safety, consent, and supportive connection. This work is approached in an accessible way, allowing participants to discover shared movement and relational awareness at their own pace.

What should I expect if this work is new to me?

Expect discovery and new experiences. Some of this work may feel familiar and some different. This is by design. You don’t need prior knowledge or technical expertise — simply come with curiosity, a willingness to try something new, and an openness to the process.

Is this program only for Christians?

No — everyone is welcome to the table. While Zion’s work is rooted in a Christ-centered perspective, Summer Series is designed as a space where artists from diverse backgrounds can gather, explore, and engage in meaningful exchange. We invite movers who are curious about embodied practice, creative research, and authentic connection to join us and experience the joy, freedom, and community that shape Zion.

Opportunities with ZDP

How can I stay connected to Zion beyond the Summer Series?

Whether you join us for Summer Series or are simply exploring Zion from afar, there are many ways to stay connected to the work and continue growing in embodied practice. Some dancers engage through our company and training opportunities, while others connect through our online community and weekly virtual classes.

Our Series Tour will also continue into the coming year, bringing embodied movement and creative gatherings to new cities — so stay connected to hear if we’ll be coming to a location near you. Wherever you find yourself in your journey, we invite you to remain connected to the evolving Zion community.

What is the experience like?

How physically demanding is the series?

The Community Artist Experience is active and physically engaging, while remaining accessible and supportive for a range of movement backgrounds. Participants will move daily through guided classes, rehearsals, and creative exploration — and yes, you can expect to be a little sore as we engage the body in new ways. You may even discover muscles you didn’t know you had and learn new ways to listen to your body along the way.

You do not need to be in perfect shape or arrive with advanced physical conditioning to participate. This experience is designed with sustainability and embodied awareness in mind, encouraging dancers to move at their own pace, honor personal limits, and grow gradually within a supportive environment. While maintaining regular movement beforehand can be helpful, prior intensive training is not required. Rest, integration, and mindful pacing are built into the structure, and we recommend bringing foam rollers or any restorative tools you enjoy using to support your body throughout the series.

How long is each day? Will I be dancing a lot?

Days are full and immersive, designed to support both meaningful engagement and sustainable pacing. Community Artists can expect 1–2 dance classes each day, one rehearsal session, meal breaks, and an evening gathering or session. There will be moments where you are invited to stretch, be challenged, and engage deeply in movement exploration, balanced with intentional time for rest, integration, and community connection.

Because this is a 16-day experience, the body will be engaged consistently — challenged in a beautiful and supportive way as strength, awareness, and confidence grow over time. Participants are encouraged to listen to their bodies, take breaks when needed, and use available rest periods to care for themselves. A detailed daily schedule will be shared with accepted dancers approximately one month prior to the start of the program.

What if I feel emotional during the work?

Working deeply with the body can sometimes bring unexpected emotional responses, and this is a natural and welcome part of embodied practice. ZDP has cultivated a brave and supportive space where dancers are invited to explore honestly and move with authenticity. As we dance some participants may experience moments of release, insight, or deeper connection to their heart — including encountering God in new ways through the body. While this program is not therapy or a therapeutic intervention, we recognize that meaningful artistic and embodied work can touch emotional layers. ZDP leadership is committed to creating a respectful and grounded environment to support dancers. Participants are encouraged to listen to their bodies, honor their pace, and engage with care, knowing they are held within a culture of consent, honor, and mutual respect.

Planning for Your Stay in Dallas

Does ZDP provide housing?

At this time, Zion Dance Project is unable to provide housing for Summer Series participants. Please reference the Accommodations section above in the program details for suggested options. Many dancers choose to stay with friends or family in the DFW area, or coordinate shared housing with other participants.

Do I need access to a car? Is public transit an option?

The answer depends on where you choose to stay. If you are lodging farther from the studio, you will likely need access to a car or have a reliable carpool system in place, as Dallas public transit can be limited and inconsistent. If you stay close to the studio, a car may not be necessary — there are hotel options located within close proximity for convenience.

Is there a dress code?

There is no strict dress code for the Community Artist Experience. We encourage participants to dress in ways that support a contemporary movement environment and embodied exploration. Be prepared for floorwork, improvisation, and occasional partnering, so clothing that allows ease of movement, comfort, and mobility is recommended. Soft layers, clothing that allows you to sense and feel movement clearly, and pieces you don’t mind moving on the floor in are often helpful.

Wear clothing that helps you feel confident and comfortable — you do not need to look or dress like a professional dancer, and there is no “right” outfit required. Tennis shoes are recommended, along with socks you enjoy moving in. Additional dance shoes (such as ballet or jazz shoes) are optional if you already have them, but not necessary. Hair should be secured away from the face during classes and rehearsals.

Is there a packing list?

In addition to daily class wear and personal essentials, we recommend packing:

Flesh-tone undergarments for costumes
Hair and makeup supplies for performance weekend
Foam rollers, massage balls, or other body care tools
Journal for evening sessions
Comfortable clothing for gatherings outside the studio

A final packing list will be sent to all accepted participants approximately one month before the program begins.