"Dance Break," an invitation-only showcase sponsored by the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF), will take place in NYC Feb. 3-4.

"Dance Break" was created to give up-and-coming choreographers a chance to audition their work for a high powered audience of top producers, directors, artistic directors, agents, and press. According to a spokesman at SDCF, the program has already exceeded expectations, with some of the biggest names in theatre scheduled to take in the performances.

From a pool of over 100 talented applicants, the "Dance Break" selection committee chose eight choreographers to participate in this season's presentation: Karen Azenberg, Andy Blankenbuehler, Naomi Goldberg, Barry McNabb, Arte Phillips, Peter Pucci and Patricia Wilcox. 

Each arists will choreograph one song using "a traditional musical theatre structure." Production elements are kept to a bare minimum. 

The panel was comprised of Pamela Berlin, Marge Champion, Larry Fuller, Kathleen Marshall, Jerry Mitchell, Schellie Archbold, Melinda Atwood and Frank Ventura. —By Robert Simonson