The Place is looking for youth dance companies to be part of The Place Youth Dance Platform 2025

Our annual Youth Dance Platform at The Place offers some of the best youth dance companies from across London and the South East the opportunity to perform on our main stage in the theatre. The Youth Dance Platform has been running for 6 years now and usually sells out in just a few days, with lots of supportive fans, friends and family adding to the buzzing enthusiastic atmosphere. Up to nine companies can take part in this exciting mix of styles in an evening of inspiring dance created with, by, and for young people.

Youth Dance Companies across the UK do amazing work providing dance classes to young people in a creative and supportive environment. But dance offers so much more than just movement! Dance weaves together both physical and creative learning, it supports creative thinking and inspires self-confidence. Being part of a company teaches young people to work together as a team. Dancing in a group is all about collaborating: everyone is equal and respected, everyone gets involved offering their ideas and opinions in a creative way, empowering and celebrating their uniqueness.

At The Place, we believe that dance is a really essential component of young people’s development. We are committed to give as many young people as we can the chance to experience watching, doing and making dance and to celebrate young people’s achievements in youth dance.

Sarah Poekert is leading Thrive Dance, a Youth Company in North London, that has been taking part in The Place’s Youth Dance Platform for 3 years.

“For our group these events are invaluable. You really see a change in them after taking part. They are more unified and connected as a group and more confident. It's very special to work so hard week after week in the studio and then be able to share that with an audience on such a prestigious stage. It is also really inspiring for the students to see the other groups perform in an environment that champions supporting one another rather than a competition.”

Traceworks Youth Dance, led by James Kay, is another company that have returned three times already to perform at The Place’s Youth Dance Platform. “We have always loved this performance opportunity, it offers a really warm and inviting environment for the young people to strive and learn from each other”, says James. “These events create lasting memories and experiences not only for the young people but also their family, friends and community who come to support them.”

Dance is a powerful tool to improve our lives, and make us feel healthier and happier both physically and mentally. Being part of their youth dance companies gives young people something to work towards and achieve as a team. It teaches values such as collaboration, respect and inclusion, it channels their energy into passion and enthusiasm for the art form, it gives young people a sense of belonging and community, inspires self-confidence and self-expression and offers a way to work through emotions in a positive way.

As always, the young people say it best themselves: “The thing I love most about dance is how well it portrays emotion. You can tell how someone feels by the way they dance. And when you step onto that stage, nothing else matters anymore. That is the beauty of dance!”

Offering the Youth Dance companies a chance to perform and share what they have worked towards with an audience gives them a really wonderful opportunity to celebrate their achievements together, mark milestones in their growth and development as young dancers and artists, and most of all make lasting precious memories.

The next Youth Dance Platform is taking place on 10 May 2025.

• If you would like to be part of this showcase, highlighting the next generation of dancers, please apply here by 10 March 2025

• Before you apply, please make sure the group leader is available on Thursday 17 April 11:00-12:00 (Online Information Briefing) and the company are available on Sat 10 May (Performance Day – all day). Pieces must include dancers between 11 and 19 years (or up 24 for dancers with SEND).

• The Place Youth Dance Platform offers a special experience of performing in a professional, internationally renowned, central London dance venue. If you want more information about the platform, please email: Ania.Straczynska@theplace.org.uk