James Ray residency

Assisting Local Artists:
>>Since 2017, the James Ray Residen­cy Project has been providing Seattle-area based dance artists time and resources to fully develop their work, steward and grow new and current donors and patrons, and create better systems to facilitate the creative-performance cycle. It fosters the local dance ecology and enriches the city’s cultural landscape by helping artists put their best work forward, extend their reach through touring, and help them increase organizational capacity and sustainability.

2025 Artists in Residence

Artist: Rainbow Fletcher

HYPERNOVA

HYPERNOVA / Rainbow Fletcher creates visually bold, rhythmically driven ensemble work that celebrates queer identity and collective empowerment. Their choreography fuses pop aesthetics with contemporary technique, often

Artists: Vikas Arun & Apoorva Natarajan

Project Convergence

Project Convergence is a collaborative platform that integrates dance, technology, and social commentary. Their interdisciplinary approach challenges conventional boundaries and invites audiences into immersive, thought-provoking environments.

Artist: Leah Russell

Leah Russell

Leah Russell engages in theatrical, emotionally charged movement that investigates vulnerability and the human condition. Her work often blends narrative and abstraction to create intimate, unapologetic explorations of identity.

Artist: Rhea Keller

Rhea Keller

Rhea Keller works with dynamic contrasts—balancing stillness and intensity—to explore embodiment, longing, and reconciliation. Her choreography is rooted in physical inquiry and emotional nuance, often unfolding through layered, introspective structures.

Previous Artists in Residence

2018

Coriolis Dance Company

Techtonic Marrow Society – Coleman Pester

Version Excursion – Erin Boyt

Julie Tobiason

Daniel Costa Dance

2019

Cameo Lethem

Forthun + Rome –  CarliAnn Forthun Bruner & Ethan Rome

House of Verlaine – Lily Verlaine

Petra Zanki

SOTO + TOWER – Maya Soto & Nico Tower

 

2022

Alana O. Rogers Dance Company

PRICEarts N.E.W. Dance Company – Noelle Price

The Gray – Beth Terwilleger

Intrepedis Dance – Holly Livingston & Samantha Weissbach Williams

3rd Shift Dance – Xaviera Vandermay

2023

Degenerate Art Ensemble

Karin Stevens Dance

Mary Sigward + Artists

SLOWBURN Dance – Meredith Pellon

2024

Audrey Rachelle and Alex Oliva

Maia Melene D’urfé

Margaux Gex

Vania C. Bynum

2025

HYPERNOVA/Rainbow Fletcher

Project Convergence

Leah Russell

Rhea Kellere

Apply to the Program

Where and When to Apply

We will accept applications for the 2026 residency program starting October 6, 2025. The online application form will be available on our applications page.  Please contact us at catherine@seattleidf.org if you have any questions in the meantime.

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