U.Dance 2025

U.Dance is back!

U.Dance is back and Dance City are delighted to be the lead organisation once again, but with a difference! For 2025, any groups wishing to perform at the regional platform at Dance City in March will need to submit a video of the piece (in progress or final version) alongside an application by 24th January.

Working with TIN Arts, Dance City hope this revised U.Dance model for the North East will make it easier for lots of groups to apply and be considered for the regional and national U.Dance events.

Any North East groups wishing to be part of U.Dance 2025 need to complete an Expression of Interest by Friday 6th December.

What is U.Dance?

U.Dance is a national programme of events offering high quality dance opportunities to young people, presented by One Dance UK. Each year, our nation’s young dancers can explore their creativity, learn more about dance careers, and experience the thrill and sense of achievement of performing!

One Dance UK and partner organisations are working to present an exciting dance festival programme for young people aged 11 to 19 (and disabled young people up to the age of 25) in 2025.

U.Dance 2025, at Regional Platform and National Festival level, offers an incredible opportunity to be part of showcases demonstrating the breadth of youth dance choreography and performance, and where possible will offer workshops and industry insight with leading dance professionals.

One Dance UK and partner organisations aim to present youth dance that is high quality, innovative and ambitious. We want applications to best reflect the commitment and creativity of your work. Groups from a variety of settings are welcome to take part, including; school and college groups, youth dance companies, private dance schools and individuals.

Between February and April 2025, exciting U.Dance events will take place across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Collectively these are referred to as ‘U.Dance Regional Platforms.’ The U.Dance Regional Platform for the North East of England will take place on the 23rd of March at Dance City.

For more information, please read the U.Dance Application Pack.

Key Dates

Please be aware that you must be interested in and able to attend both the Regional Platform and the National Festival to apply.

  • Expression of Interest to be submitted by 6th December 2024.
  • Full application and Video footage of piece to be submitted by 24th January 2025.
  • You will be notified whether your application was successful by 31st January 2025.
  • U.Dance North East of England Regional Platform at Dance City will take place on the 23rd of March 2025.
  • U.Dance National Festival at Sadler’s Wells East in London’s Olympic Park will take place 25th – 27th July 2025.

The Application Process

If you are interested in applying for U.Dance, you can register your interest by completing this form: https://forms.office.com/e/bbYy3TQFmt.

The deadline for registering your interest is the 6th December 2024.

On the 9th of December, we will send you some further information including the full application form.

Please note, for the full application you will be asked to:

– Send video footage of your piece, either via a link on the application form or via email using WeTransfer.

– Provide evidence of Chaperone Licenses (or proof of application) for your group (you will need one chaperone per 10 young people).

– Provide further information about the dance piece you are entering, including number of dancers (30 maximum) and length of piece (7 minutes maximum)

– Provide further information about group members, including age of dancers (Pieces must only include dancers who are aged 11 to 19 years, or up to and including age 25 for disabled dancers, on 31 July 2025).

The deadline for full application and video footage submissions is the 24th January 2025.

If you have any questions about the application process, you might find the answers in our frequently asked questions document here.

If you don’t find what you’re looking for, please feel free to email katie@tinarts.co.uk

If you have any questions about the regional platform itself, please contact engagement@dancecity.co.uk