Performing and creating
Having the opportunity to be creative and perform can be transformative. It can help develop a range of skills, lower stress and build confidence.
We run a range of dance programmes for professional and non-professional artists. They’re designed to help you explore your creativity, develop performance skills and feel good about yourself.
Romeo & Juliet
Young east Londoners are invited to be part of the large-scale production for Sadler’s Wells and Stratford East of Romeo & Juliet opening August 2025
Our Mighty Groove
Young people living or studying in east London, who will be aged 16 – 21 on 31 August 2023, are invited to take part in workshops starting this summer, delivered by Vicki Igbokwe’s company Uchenna Dance. Some workshop participants will be invited to join the professional dancers on stage when Our Mighty Groove opens at Sadler’s Wells East, in Stratford in 2025
Our Mighty Groove is kindly supported by the Mohn Westlake Foundation
Breakin’ Convention – Future Elements
In this free six-day workshop, aspiring young dancers, MCs, graffiti artists and music producers work intensively with professional hip hop artists to learn new skills and explore their talents.
They write lyrics, produce music, choreograph routines, create artwork and shoot their very own music video, before it’s shown to the public at a dedicated film night.
The programme is designed for 13- to 16-year-olds and runs during the February half term. The Future Elements performance night takes place in March each year.
Breakin’ Convention – Future Elements is kindly supported by the Mohn Westlake Foundation
Company of Elders
The Company of Elders is a performance group for non-professional dancers aged 60 and over. Each year, the company works with a range of professional choreographers to create new dance works that are performed at Sadler’s Wells and beyond.
The Company is made up of 20 dancers who rehearse at Sadler’s Wells on Friday mornings. People are offered a place in the company after taking part in a Company of Elders experience workshop.
For more information on our over 60s work, please register here.
Young Associates
Young Associates is a two-year programme for talented dance artists aged 24 or under. The programme is designed to give them that all-important first step into their career as choreographers.
Every two years, we select four young dance artists to become Young Associates. They get financial support, mentoring and the opportunity to train with leading industry figures, as well as the chance to make and present work at Sadler’s Wells.
Applications for Young Associates are currently closed, applications will re-open in Summer 2025.
Young Associates programme is kindly supported by the Mohn Westlake Foundation
Find out more about Young Associates
Image © Camilla Greenwell
Breakin’ Convention – Open Art Surgery
Open Art Surgery showcases new work from hip hop artists. It’s open to hip hop theatre companies and performers, from dancers and musicians to emcees and visual artists. They get the opportunity to develop and experiment with new ideas and share new work publicly with the support of mentors like Breakin’ Convention’s Artistic Director Jonzi D.
Artists spend a week workshopping ideas, with mentors on hand to inspire, advise and offer support. With no pressure on an end product, Open Art Surgery makes it easier to take creative risks, try something different or test out ideas. At the end of the week, participants share and discuss their work in a live performance hosted by Jonzi D.
National Youth Dance Company
We’re the host organisation for the National Youth Dance Company (NYDC). Since 2013, NYDC has brought together some of the brightest young talent from across the country to work with internationally renowned companies and world-class choreographers, including our Associate Artists.
NYDC is the flagship youth dance company for England and is funded by the Department for Education and Arts Council England. The Company has a reputation for creating challenging, high-quality work, and is known for dancers that are open-minded, curious and brave. More than 80% of NYDC dancers go onto further dance studies, vocational training or professional dance work.
Each year, 30 dancers get the opportunity to work with inspirational teachers and choreographers to learn, create and perform original work. All dance styles are welcome, from contemporary and hip hop to ballet, south Asian dance and more. Dancers come from a range of backgrounds, dance styles and experiences. We welcome disabled and non-disabled dancers, providing additional resources and support wherever possible.
Over the year, the company will create a full-length production that is performed at Sadler’s Wells and venues across the country. The current NYDC guest Artistic Director is Alesandra Seutin.
NYDC is kindly supported by the Mohn Westlake Foundation