Resident Dance Companies

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

  • 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 Wednesday 16 July 2026, 6-8pm
Upcoming Projects
  • Shift are looking forward to guest workshops in new and exciting dance styles and audition preparation workshops with London Contemporary Dance School this Summer Term 2026.
  • Honeycomb have invited Shift to perform at their annual festival that takes place in Aylesbury, April 2026.
Recent Projects and Achievements
  • The Royal Society of Arts supported Shift's Divided Chorographic Project during Spring Term 2026, concluding with a performance evening in the Great Hall of the historic RSA building
  • Shift debuted 'Three Cubed' choreographed by Monique Jonas at The Place’s FRESH in November 2025 which was then performed again at exciting platforms including Let's Dance at The Old Bailey, U.Dance London Regional Platform, MOVE IT 2026 and as curtain raiser for London Contemporary Dance School.
  • 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.
  • Shift performed at the U. Dance National Festival 2023 in Newcastle.  
Shuffle Dance Company
Credit: Rocio Chacon

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 25 July at 2-4pm
Upcoming Projects
  • Shuffle will be performing a new piece choreographed by Ellie Peacock at The Place's, Family Dance Day on Saturday 18 July 2026!
Recent Choreographers and Achievements
  • In Autumn 2025, Shuffle worked with Ellie Peacock to create ‘Pages in Motins’ for The British Libraries Family Day based around their exhibition: Story Explorers and later performed the piece at The Place for the Camden Youth Dance Festival in March 2026
  • In 2024-2025, 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.
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.

Register your interest

Please contact childrenandyouthdance@theplace.org to register your interest in the July 2026 auditions.

Hire Shift & Shuffle

Shift and Shuffle are available for bookings and performances.

Contact childrenandyouthdance@theplace.org.uk to enquire.