The Place is proud to be the home of our two youth dance companies: Shift and Shuffle, which continue to epitomise The Place’s mission: to power imagination through dance. The aim of our Youth Dance Companies is to support young people’s journeys into dance by developing their curiosity and talent for dancing.  

By joining us, you will receive access to high quality training, various performance opportunities and the chance to deepen creative and technical dance skills.  

Shift Dance Company

Shift Dance Company is for young people aged 14-19 years.
Meet every Thursday of term time from 6.00pm-8.30pm, alongside intensive rehearsal days throughout the year.  
Led by rehearsal director Lucy Evans, who supports the group throughout with their own choreographic project, working with external artists and choreographers, and in rehearsing work ready for performances.  
Performing at least 4 times per academic year, although this varies depending on the platform availability.

Upcoming Projects

Shift have been selected to perform Uncontrolled Control at MOVE ITat The Excel London on Saturday 8 March 2025.
Honeycomb have invited Shift to perform at their annual festival that takes place in Aylesbury, April 2025.

Recent Projects and Achievements

Shift debuted their new piece Uncontrolled Control choreography by Sung Im Her at Fresh The Place’s annual showcase of dance created and curated with young people in November 2024.
Coals Drop Yard in May 2024, where Shift performed a series of devised site-specific pieces inspired by the Lightroom’s Moonwalkers exhibition. 
U. Dance Regional Festival in February 2024, where Shift performed a commissioned piece called ‘Up the Wall’ by choreographer Joshua ‘Vendetta’ Nash from Far from the Norm. 
Shift performed at the U. Dance National Festival 2023 in Newcastle.

Shuffle Dance Company

Shuffle Dance Company is for young dancers aged 10-14.
Meets every Saturday of term time from 2pm-4pm.  
Led by an artistic director, who focuses on developing the fundamental skills of contemporary dance, while crafting staged performances with the dancers.  
Performing at least once per term.

Upcoming Projects

Shuffle will be performing their new piece choreographed by Ellie Peacock and Ryan Munroe at Camden Youth Dance Festival in February 2025.

Recent Choreographers and Achievements

Shuffleperformed ‘Settle’ a new piece directed by Yanaelle Thiran for Thrive Dance Festival in June 2024.
Shuffle worked with Yanaelle Thiran to create ‘Four Fantasies’ for The British Libraries Family Day based around their exhibition: Fantasy: Realms of the imagination.  
Shuffle performed ‘Four Fantasies’ at the Camden Youth Dance Festival at The Place in February 2024.

Timeframe

Both youth companies require a year-long commitment from September through to July. Regular attendance is important to ensure smooth creation and rehearsal processes.

How to join

To be a part of Shift or Shuffle Dance Company you must attend an audition. To be considered for 2025-2026, please sign up for an audition taking place on Saturday 19 July 2025. For more information, please visit the audition page or contact childrenandyouthdance@theplace.org.uk to join our mailing list and keep updated about the companies and future auditions.