Youth Dance Festival call for applications

Applications have now opened for young dancers from around the UK to perform at ‘U.Dance 2012’ at Southbank Centre next July.

The event runs from July 13-16 2012, and will include three evening performances, open workshops during the day, a residential dance programme for youth dance groups, an international symposium for dance professionals, and the première of the first ever UK-wide youth dance company the U.Dance Ensemble, who will present their new work choreographed by Hofesh Shechter.
This extraordinary event is made possible through a partnership between Youth Dance England, Southbank Centre, YDance (Scottish Youth Dance), National Youth Dance Wales, and DU : Dance, based in Northern Ireland; which sees each organisation sharing their resources and expertise to ensure U.Dance 2012 will be a magnificent showcase of youth dance work from around the United Kingdom.

Young performers are invited to take part in two ways:

Youth dance groups can apply to perform at one of the evening performances by filling an application form available at www.u-dance.org. If shortlisted the group will perform at their Regional Youth Dance Platform between January and April 2012, where a panel will select at least one group from each region to perform at U.Dance 2012. Selected groups will be invited to take part in a 3-day residency in London over the length of the festival during which they will take part in workshops, perform their piece at Southbank Centre, and watch other youth dance groups showcase their work.

The second opportunity is for individuals to apply to be a member of the U.Dance Ensemble, a new UK-wide youth dance company led by renowned choreographer Hofesh Shechter. Applicants need to be aged 16 to 21* from England, Northern Ireland or Scotland (the application process in Wales was through National Youth Dance Wales and is now closed). The U.Dance Ensemble will create a new work, during the course of three residencies in February (in Glasgow), April (in Cardiff) and July (in London). Dancers from England and Northern Ireland should complete the online application form on www.u-dance.org by September 30 2011. Dancers from Scotland should contact YDance via www.ydance.org for details of how to apply. Auditions will take place in London, Manchester, Newcastle, Belfast and Glasgow in October and November 2011, with a final audition scheduled for 4th December at the Royal Opera House where Hofesh Shechter will select the company’s dancers.

When asked what he will be looking for in dancers applying for the Ensemble, Shechter said: “I will look for dancers that are committed and willing; for dancers that are able to connect with their body as a vessel to their inner world, rather than a tool to satisfy the watcher. I look for dancers that are generous in their movement and creativity, that are rhythmical and most of all carry a simplicity and a human feel in themselves.”

Jude Kelly, artistic director at Southbank Centre, said: “We are proud and excited to be hosting U.Dance 2012. It’s going to be a very special event at a very special time for London, and I am personally thrilled to welcome hundreds of young dancers from all over the country into Southbank Centre to showcase their talent.”

Young people wishing to take part in daytime workshops during the festival, and dance professionals interested in the 16th July international symposium can all register their interest by emailing u.dance@yde.org.uk .

* Dancers from England will need to be aged between 16 and 19. Dancers from Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales can be aged up to 21. Disabled dancers from any part of the UK can apply up to the age of 24.