Sadler’s Wells launches major choreographic project for schools and youth groups

Sadler’s Wells today launches Making Moves, a choreographic project for schools and youth groups across England to create new dance works inspired by some of the world’s most exciting choreographers, with a chance to perform on one of Sadler’s Wells’ stages.

Making Moves, supported by Barclays, is a major initiative to engage young people across England in dance. Each year 48 school and youth dance groups will be selected to take part in the project, for participants aged 11 – 18 (up to 24 years for d/Deaf or disabled young dancers).

Running across the academic year starting in September 2023, Making Moves provides participating groups with digital toolkits created by four professional dance artists connected with Sadler’s Wells. The toolkits include a theme, suggested music, sources of inspiration such as poetry or visual art, and creative ideas for generating movement.

The four choreographers creating toolkits for the inaugural year are Alesandra Seutin, Dannielle “Rhimes” Lecointe, Jordan Douglas and Oona Doherty.

The project will begin with a training weekend at Sadler’s Wells for group leaders, including masterclasses led by the choreographers. Group leaders will then work with their young dancers to create a new dance work, which will be performed at their school or youth group and at a regional venue local to them in spring 2024. Sadler’s Wells staff and a guest dance professional will attend the regional performances and provide verbal and written feedback to all participating groups.

Eight groups will be invited to perform on one of Sadler’s Wells’ stages on 24 July 2024, to a public audience and a panel of professionals from the dance sector. One group will be given an award for Best New Choreography.

Teachers and youth group leaders can apply for Making Moves by visiting Making Moves – Take Part – Sadler’s Wells (sadlerswells.com). Applications are open from today until Friday 30 June.

Sir Alistair Spalding CBE, Sadler’s Wells Artistic Director and Chief Executive said: “The Making Moves programme is a fantastic opportunity for young people across England to get involved in making dance and learning from some of the world’s leading choreographers. Sadler’s Wells is committed to engaging people in dance, and we are excited to see the pieces the groups create and follow them on this journey.”

Joce Giles, Director of Learning and Engagement at Sadler’s Wells said: “Sadler’s Wells has launched Making Moves to celebrate the creativity and talent of young people throughout England and give them a platform to create and perform new dance works in a professional setting. We want to inspire young people by connecting them with the creative ideas and approaches of some of the most exciting dance artists making work today. Any school or youth group passionate about dance and performance should apply, and we look forward to making new connections with groups across England as part of the project’s inaugural year.”

Tom Corbett, Group Head of Sponsorship and Media at Barclays said: “Barclays is delighted to support Making Moves, launched today by Sadler’s Wells. Through this project, we want to help inspire the next generation of dancing talent in choreography and performance and offer young people access to dance in a new way, working with some of the world’s leading choreographers. We’d encourage interested schools and youth groups to apply, and we can’t wait to watch this develop over the next year.”