Dance in Space: How Choreographers Are Shaping the Future of Movement Beyond Earth

The future of human movement in space may not be what you expect. This month, the Conference for Research on Choreographic Interfaces (CRCI) is launching “Space Camp,” an immersive program bringing dance principles to the conversation around extraterrestrial exploration. Even as it might seem an unlikely pairing, founder Sydney Skybetter argues that dancers possess a unique expertise in understanding and navigating the challenges of movement in unconventional environments – expertise he believes is crucial as commercial space travel expands.

Taking place March 17–19 in Brooklyn, New York, Space Camp isn’t about teaching astronauts ballet. It’s about applying “choreographic intelligence” to the design of space habitats and the protocols for human interaction within them. Skybetter points out that currently, the future of movement beyond Earth is largely being shaped by engineers and government entities, lacking the nuanced understanding of the human body that dance artists bring to the table. “These are not folks thinking about bodies with the same rigor or care or equity consciousness as dancers,” he told Dance Magazine.

From Microgravity Residencies to Grounded Exploration

The idea for Space Camp evolved from CRCI’s 2025 immersive residency, which explored dance in microgravity. Originally, the plan involved sending four resident artists – Laila J. Franklin, Michael Figueroa, Sasha Peterson, and Kate Gow – on a parabolic flight to experience weightlessness firsthand. However, when the primary U.S. Operator of these flights paused operations, CRCI reallocated the budget to create Space Camp. Details of the 2026 iteration are available on the CRCI website.

The resident artists similarly expressed a desire to focus on ground-based experimentation before taking to the skies. This led to a collaboration with STREB, a company renowned for its physically demanding and often aerial acrobatics. Participants in Space Camp will have the opportunity to train in STREB’s signature PopAction technique, as well as hone their skills on trampolines and trapezes. A particularly unique element will be improvisational movement work conducted inside floatation tanks, designed to simulate the sensation of weightlessness through the apply of highly salted water.

Beyond Movement: Culture and Equity in Space

Skybetter emphasizes that bringing dancers into the space conversation is about more than just optimizing movement. It’s about fundamentally reshaping how we envision the future of space exploration and ensuring that it’s inclusive and equitable. “We are getting told a certain kind of story about what space is, why it matters, whose culture gets to travel there,” he explained. “This is a moment to radically recenter how we understand space.”

To that end, Space Camp incorporates a diverse range of perspectives and activities. Participants will visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art to explore an Afrofuturist period room, engaging with art that imagines alternative futures rooted in Black culture. Laila J. Franklin will lead an improvisation-based workshop informed by queer Black underground nightlife and Afrofuturist principles, exploring the concept of bringing “the club” to space. The program also includes facilitated conversations led by Adeene Denton, a planetary scientist and dance artist, addressing the ethical considerations surrounding bodies in outer space. Denton’s unique background highlights the interdisciplinary nature of CRCI’s approach. You can find more about Denton’s work as a Grand Canyon astronomer-in-residence here.

The Rise of Dance and Technology Intersections

CRCI itself has been at the forefront of exploring the intersection of dance and technology for years. The conference consistently brings together artists, scientists, and technologists to investigate how choreographic principles can inform emerging technologies. This year’s focus on space builds on that foundation, recognizing the unique challenges and opportunities presented by off-world environments. The growing interest in this field is also reflected in the recent launch of “Dances with Robots,” a podcast hosted by Sydney Skybetter, which explores the evolving relationship between dance and artificial intelligence. The L.A. Dance Chronicle recently featured an interview with Skybetter discussing the podcast’s debut.

NFTs and the Future of Dance Funding

Beyond the practical applications of dance in space, CRCI is also engaging with emerging technologies like NFTs as potential new funding models for the arts. Dance Magazine recently covered the unlikely pairing of NFTs and dance, highlighting how artists are exploring these digital assets to support their work and connect with audiences in new ways.

Skybetter’s vision for Space Camp is ambitious: he wants dancers to be recognized as essential experts in shaping the future of space culture. “I want dancers to have a real seat at the table for how space culture gets built—not as an afterthought, but as experts whose embodied knowledge fundamentally shapes how humans move, express, and take care of each other in these new environments,” he says. Space Camp, he hopes, will cultivate the expertise within the dance community needed to fill those future roles.

Looking Ahead: Building a Space-Ready Dance Community

The immediate focus is on the March workshops and fostering collaboration between dancers, scientists, and technologists. However, the long-term goal is to establish a pipeline of dance artists equipped to contribute to the burgeoning space industry. CRCI is actively seeking funding and partnerships to expand its programming and create more opportunities for dancers to engage with space-related research and development. The success of Space Camp could pave the way for future initiatives, including potential parabolic flights and collaborations with space agencies and private space companies.