U.Dance is a national programme of events offering high-quality dance opportunities to young people led 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 aim to present youth dance that is high quality, innovative and ambitious. Groups from a variety of settings are welcome to take part, including: 

• School and college groups 
• Youth dance companies 
• Private dance schools 
• Individuals 

We welcome and encourage youth dance groups and soloists who create dance pieces in all genres, such as any and all street dance styles, jazz and theatre styles, ballet, South Asian dance, contemporary dance, dance of the African Diaspora, and folk dance. No genre is excluded, U.Dance is for everyone. 

We’re seeking applications that best reflect the commitment and creativity of your work. We invite groups and individuals from various backgrounds and disciplines to participate. 

In addition to the U.dance regional events, One Dance UK also host the U.Dance National Event, which will take place in the Summer of 2023 (date and location TBC). Groups and individuals who would like to be considered for this event need to specify on their application form that they would like to be put forward for this additional opportunity. 

U.DANCE REGIONAL  

We at FABRIC will be working with regional partners to host on stage U.Dance platform events across the East and West Midlands. The live events will take place in Birmingham, Derby, Leicester, Lincoln, Northampton and Nottingham between March and April 2023. 

HOW TO APPLY 

To be eligible for the U.Dance 2023 on stage regional platforms, groups/individuals must submit an application form and a video of their finished dance piece to your regional organiser before the stated deadline. 

• Create a dance piece made for the stage – to be performed at your local U.Dance regional live event (Birmingham, Derby, Leicester, Lincoln Northampton or Nottingham) 
• Ensure the dance piece is between 2 and 7 minutes long 
• Be based and involve dancers from the Midlands only 
• Submit a video of your finished dance piece, preferably costumed and as closely related to the final work as possible. 
• There should be no more than x30 dancers 
• For dancers aged 11 to 19 years and up to 25 for dancers with diasbilities. (as of 24 July 2022) 
•  Apply for the regional platform nearest to where you or your group is based. 

In addition to the above criteria, we also ask that anyone applying must read the GOOD PRACTICE GUIDANCE PACK and the U.DANCE ON STAGE APPLICATION GUIDANCE PACK. 

A good practice guidelines film has also been created and can be viewed HERE. 

U.DANCE ON STAGE LIVE EVENTS

Groups can apply for their local live event: 

East Midlands Platforms

• Mass Movement, Curve, Leicestershire | Sunday 12 March
• Interface, Déda, Derbyshire  | Friday 24 March
• Episodes, Lakeside Arts, Nottinghamshire | Saturday 25 March
• True Motion, LPAC, Lincolnshire | Sunday 16 April
• N-Dance, Corby Cube, Northamptonshire |  Saturday 22 April

West Midlands Platform

• Patrick Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome | Saturday 29 April
• U.Dance National Event | TBC

Groups can apply for one of the above county events only. To be considered for the U.Dance National event is optional, please select your preference when applying. 

EAST MIDLANDS APPLICATION OR WEST MIDLANDS APPLICATION

APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR U.DANCE REGIONAL: TUESDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2023, 5PM 

If you would like to discuss the application form or submit your information in a different format, please get in touch with Jessica for the East Midlands applications at jessica@fabric.dance and Jamaal for West Midlands applications at jamaal@fabric.dance 

U.DANCE ON SCREEN 

In addition to the U.Dance Regional ‘on stage’ strand, One Dance UK will also give groups and individuals the opportunity to submit dance for screen entries, which will automatically be considered to be shown at the National Festival. 

Submissions for this strand should be dance pieces that have been created specifically for the screen. There is no limit to the minimum or maximum number of dancers that can perform per video but the same age boundaries as the ‘on stage’ strand applies. 

More information and how to apply for this opportunity will be available soon.