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
Auditions to join Shift are now open! Book a slot for Thursday 17 July at 6pm

Upcoming Projects

Shift are working with commissioned artist Monique Jonas on an exciting new piece, set to premiere at The Place’s FRESH on Saturday 22 November 2025.
Honeycomb have invited Shift to perform at their annual festival that takes place in Aylesbury, April 2026.

Recent Projects and Achievements

Shift performed at exciting new platforms in 2025 including MOVE IT, RE:Dance & the Let's Dance press launch with Angela Rippon!
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.
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
Auditions to join Shuffle are now open! Book a slot for Saturday 19 July at 2pm

Upcoming Projects

Shuffle will be performing their new piece choreographed by Ellie Peacock at The British Library Family Festival on Saturday 22 November!

Recent Choreographers and Achievements

Shuffle worked with Ellie Peacock and Ryan Munroe in 2025 and performed at three exciting platforms, Camden Youth Dance Festival, Thrive Dance Festival and The Place's Summer Show, Dreams & Wishes. 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.