NW Dance Project is a contemporary dance company founded in Portland in 2004 by Sarah Slipper, who serves as Artistic Director. The company creates and performs original contemporary dance works from established and emerging choreographers. Since its founding, it has commissioned and premiered over 350 original works and fostered nearly 300 Portland premieres. The company opened an 8,500 square foot Creative Center in Portland’s Inner Eastside in March 2014.
The company performs an all-original repertoire and presents accessible performances throughout Portland each season, often in unconventional locations including streets, coffee shops, hospitals, and shopping malls. Free public performances are offered when possible. The 2026/27 season includes world premieres and repertoire works, with performances at venues such as the Newmark Theatre in downtown Portland.
NW Dance Project also offers dance education for adults and children through classes, workshops, and intensives. The company runs Dance Moves, a cost-free program that partners with local organizations serving disadvantaged and at-risk youth, bringing dancers to community settings for performances and creative movement instruction. Company dancers are classically trained and selected through an invitation-only audition process.
