2027 Obsidian Theatre Festival Brings Dance to a New Stage

Submissions for The Obsidian Dance Theatre are Open through Sept 13

Detroit, MI — When the Obsidian Theatre Festival (OTF) returns to Detroit for its 7th season, June 24–27, 2027, it will do something it has never done in six years of centering Black stories: it will dance.

For the first time in OTF history, the festival is opening its stages to choreography, launching a new Obsidian Dance Theatre Stage alongside its signature new plays and musicals. As part of the annual four-day festival audiences will enjoy a featured Dance performance slot – featuring multiple performances, 5 to 20 minutes long, and spotlighting emerging choreographers from across Metro Detroit. 

It's a milestone for GhostLight Arts Initiative's (GLAI) flagship program. Dance is not a supplement to storytelling. For Black artists, it is one of storytelling's oldest, most powerful forms.

And while dance is new to OTF, it isn't new to GhostLight. The organization has woven movement into its work for years — featuring dancers and choreographers in events like the Stellantis Legacy Gala and the Covenant House Night of Detroit Stars.  The Dance Stage gives that relationship a permanent home.

For GLAI Founder and OTF Producing AD, John Sloan III, dance is an important part of cultural expression. “One of the most meaningful lessons I learned through years of touring and performing across North America is that artistic expression has no limits of genre.” he says.  “Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working alongside extraordinary dancers—artists whose discipline, physical storytelling, and command of the stage have always inspired me….That is why we are thrilled to introduce dance to Obsidian Theatre Festival audiences.”

The Dance Stage is now accepting submissions for 2027, alongside OTF's ongoing calls for plays and musicals.

• Pieces run 5–20 minutes, with a maximum of 8 dancers.

• Required: choreographer headshots/resumes, a 1–2 minute concept video, and video of a completed piece.

• Choreographers receive $300–$500 by length, plus 4 hours rehearsal and 2 hours tech time; dancers receive a $200 stipend.

• Full stage, production, marketing, and front-of-house support included.

Submissions are accepted through September 13, 2026. Under OTF's new rolling policy, the window then reopens immediately on September 14 — and will never close again, giving creatives the chance to submit any time, year-round.

Full guidelines and the submission form are at www.obsidianfest.org/submit.

The Obsidian Theatre Festival is produced by the GhostLight Arts Initiative in Detroit, Michigan, and centers the work of emerging Black creatives, illuminating the rich diversity of experience within the African diaspora in America. GLAI is also the parent organization for Encore Michigan