How the National Dance Company is Revolutionizing Opportunities for Young Artists
A dynamic youth dance programme is reshaping the future for young English performers by providing them with the opportunity to perform on major stages, breaking down barriers and moving beyond traditional training pathways.
In a time when concerns are high that young people are being priced out of creative opportunities, the National Youth Dance Company is paving the way forward. This innovative programme, run by the esteemed London dance theatre Sadler’s Wells, provides an inclusive platform for passionate young dancers aged 16 to 24 from across England. The unique emphasis is on recruiting from a diverse variety of backgrounds and dance styles, as opposed to only those who have been through formal training routes.
Dancers involved in the programme hail from 25 towns, cities and villages across the nation, with representation from areas such as Blackpool, Brighton, Colchester, and Exmouth. Following the successful launch of its latest production, Memory Keepers, the company will continue its July run with performances in Falmouth, Sadler’s Wells East and Coventry.
Addressing the Concern of Access to the Arts
The National Youth Dance Company’s efforts come at a pivotal time when access to the arts is being increasingly questioned. Recent research commissioned by London’s Roundhouse discovered that a staggering 87% of 18- to 30-year-olds believe they have fewer opportunities than previous generations to connect with others, build confidence and express their creativity outside of school or work. In response, the Roundhouse and the Centre for Young Lives are leading the Young Creatives Commission, an inquiry aimed at widening access to arts, culture, and creative careers.
Hannah Kirkpatrick, head of the National Youth Dance Company, emphasized representation as a primary factor in the programme’s mission. She noted, “We want young people to watch the company and see themselves represented. It’s the country’s national youth dance company so it is important that young people from all different backgrounds, from different areas of the country, from different dance styles and disabled and non-disabled dancers are there.”
A Positive Impact for Young Artists
Since its inception, the National Youth Dance Company has worked with over 12,000 young people. Their 10-year report revealed that 90% of company members went on to further training or work in dance or the performing arts, with 24% hailing from the 30% most deprived postcodes nationally. Michael Omoruyi, an 18-year-old dancer from Blackpool, expressed his gratitude to the program saying, “NYDC has helped me not only perform on one of the world’s most renowned stages but also network and befriend lots of like-minded creatives across the nation.”
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