2025
Celebrating youth dance in the Midlands
Welcome to Applause Youth Dance Festival 2025.
The performances at this year's festival will include dance works from young dancers from across the Midlands.
Applause Youth Dance Festival is presented by FABRIC and is the Midlands regional platform for U.Dance. U.Dance brings together regional platforms across the country and is led by One Dance UK.
A panel of dance industry experts will select groups to be considered by One Dance UK to progress to U.Dance 2025 National Festival.
The largest event of its kind, the U.Dance National Festival is One Dance UK's flagship youth event. Groups from around the country perform on professional stages, take part in workshops with leading dance professionals, and are offered inspiring dance careers information.
The U.Dance National Festival 2025 will take place at Sadlers Wells East in London, Friday 25 July to Sunday 27 July.
A big thank you to all the dancers for their hard work and participation.
You can find out more about U.Dance includingthe National Festival at www.bit.ly/udancenational
APPLAUSE YOUTH DANCE FESTIVAL 2025
SUNDAY 23 MARCH 2025
FUTURE SHIFT
The Big Rift
Choreographed by John-William Watson
Music: Concerto grosso in G Minor, Op. 6, No. 8 fatto per la notte di Natale: I. Vivace - Grave by Arcangelo Corelli - The English Concert & Trevor Pinnock / After the Quake - Emile Mosseri
Dancers: Katie Rowland, Nicola Bean, Samantha Walsh, Sharon Lane, Maiah Bennett Bhatia, Beth Gardiner, Sophie Summers, Joanna Ackroyd, Georgie Bache (Support Worker), Freya Davis (Support Worker).
The Big Rift celebrates the individual stories of our dancers, as we watch their lives as strangers, before a sudden disaster shakes up their world. The dancers begin to rely on each other, realising they can achieve more together than alone. The piece celebrates individuality, teamwork and togetherness. Choreographed by John-William Watson, the dancers have worked intensively over 4 days to co-create a new work that utilises pedestrian movement, silliness and spoken word.
Future Shift is FABRIC’s Inclusive Youth Company for young disabled dancers to receive high-quality contemporary dance training outside of mainstream offers. They meet once a month to train in technique and choreography and take part in performance projects throughout the year. Future Shift challenges the perceptions of disability in dance and opens the doors for creative careers.
ATREYEE DANCE GROUP
Breaking the Barriers
Choreographed by Atreyee Bhattacharyya
Music: Chanakya - Rishab Rikhiram Sharma, Vijayi Bhava - Full
Video | Manikarnika | Kangana Ranaut | Shankar Ehsaan Loy, Salil Chowdhury
Dancers: Neeva Vishnupurikar, Shamika Sisodia, Akshara Pitale and Ananya Chowdhury.
In the turmoil ensuing the world, the whole of humanity is in danger regardless of country, race or religion. It is the time to get down to the streets, hand in hand. It is the time to know each other. It is the time to fight back with determination in our eyes. It is the time to fly like bright pigeons.
And we will be the winner in this war against humanity. The universe is screaming and cheering to make us winners. Our composition uses the creations of legends like Salil Chowdhury and Shankar Mahadevan to present our cry for humanity.
Atreyee Bhattacharyya is a performer, teacher, and choreographer, who runs Kathak and Creative Indian dance classes in Birmingham and Solihull for both kids and adults. Atreyee Dance Group provides a memorable learning experience and performance opportunities for all. Apart from taking part in many events, our students also take graded examinations in Kathak from ISTD as their skills and knowledge develops. A dance troupe dedicated to promoting Indian Classical and Creative Indian dances in the UK. Please contact us if you would like to learn Kathak.
FLEXUS YOUTH DANCE
Together We Rise
Choreographed by Jade barton & Molly Holmes
Music: Prologue & Main Title - James Horner (Edited) & - Drums of Drakkar – Amoebacre.
Dancers: Isla Amos, Chloe Bate, Honey'Belle Birch, Amélie Bowyer-Byrne, Esther Coley, Isabella Cox, Lexi Davies, Henry Dowding, Charlie Fillingham, Harry Fillingham, Lois Hunt, Amelia Hughes, Poppie Jones, Beth Latham, Poppy Orton-Brown, Daniel Plant, Serena Robinson.
Together We Rise delves into our personal fears and how we respond to these: do we stay and fight our fears, or do we freeze and take fight from the situation? While fear is an inevitable part of life, it's how we choose to face it that shapes our growth. Strength and resilience emerge from being part of a community that rises together - we don't have to face our fears alone. Together We Rise is choreographed by Jade barton (Managing Director of FDC) & Molly Holmes (Associate Director).
Flexus Youth Dance is a Youth Dance Company based in Wolverhampton, with company members aged 11 - 18 years old. The company train once a week for 3 hours, receiving rigorous & disciplined technical training, embedding core Contemporary Dance Technique. The company gain confidence, experience & versatility in the creation & performance of dynamic Dance Theatre works, inspired by the stylistic vision of Artistic Director Katy Sterran.
AFROCAVE YOUTH
Young and Ready to Dance
Choreographed by Ogechi Ochiagha
Music: Already - Beyoncé, Major Lazer, Shatta Wale, Shake ah - Tyla ft Tony Duardo et al, Funk 99 - Shakes and Les ft leemckraz, Wadibusa - Uncle Waffles, Khuze, Mufasa soundtrack, TcheleteDavido ft Mafikizolo, Gwara Nao Para - Assi & BM
Dancers: Rhyanna Oseman Keisha Mabhena Chekainah Glory
Mahapo Nikia Headley-Clarke Lisa Mukwende
Young and Ready to Dance (YARD) is a performance celebrating our dedicated dancers, aged 5 to 15, who have trained in Afrodance and Afro fusion styles. This event marks their debut on stage, showcasing their hard work and talent. The performance aims to introduce Afrodance to a wider audience, inspiring other young people to learn and participate. By highlighting the achievements of the children of Afrocave, we demonstrate that with dedication and practice, anyone can embrace this vibrant dance form.
Afrocave Youth is a vibrant dance group designed for children aged 5 to 15, offering specialized training in Afrodance and Afro fusion styles. This program not only teaches dance techniques but also focuses on building self-confidence, encouraging creativity, and fostering a sense of community among young dancers.
LILY REYES
Poetic Licence
Choreographed by Lily Reyes, Sara Macqueen and Christopher Radford
Music: Benjamin Zephaniah reading. According to my Mood & The Call by MANACAN
Dancer: Lily Reyes
Poetic Licence is an exploration of personal expression, autonomy and the drive to find your own personal path in life. Inspired by the words of the late Benjamin Zephaniah, the solo follows Lily’s journey to find comfort in her own choices, joy in her mistakes and confidence in her differences. It considers themes of individuality, self-belief, autonomy and self-advocacy in a world where young people feel confined by societal expectations and pressure to conform.
Lily is 15 years old, and her passion is contemporary dance. She trains at the Nottingham FABRIC Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) and dances with Linden Youth in Birmingham, The Curve Young Company, Leicester and Chambers Creatives, Leicester. She also trains at The Dance Studios Nottingham to gain additional time in ballet and pointe. Her dream is to attend a conservatoire and dance professionally.
MOTIONHOUSE YOUTH
Our
Choreographed by Harrsion Yafai and Creative Learning Team
Music: Endalaus II - Olafur Arnalds A2 - Olafur Arnalds, Nils Frahm
Dancers: Amber Ross, Callie Meakin, Amelia Chard, Jessie Chard, Lottie Healy, Annie Davis, Riley Manley, Marley Wright, Daniel Mark Ward, Scarlet Luisa Burkuitt, Indiana Kandola, Roisin Larkin Wong, Maycie-Lou Hughes, Heidi Rippon, Indya Rose Ashburn, Sophie Stickney, Matthew Cox, Rex Murphy-Hogg, Rubi Russell, Roisin Cooney-Mair, Yevhen Lysenko, Ria Cooper.
Our came from the diversity within our group, which has talented young people from a range of cultural backgrounds, beliefs and pathways to the company. Our concept celebrating difference gives us the opportunity to embrace and champion our dancers, the diversity they bring to our Motionhouse community and each other as a group. Additionally, we work with the aspiration to emulate our professional company with their style, commitment and explorations of contemporary dance, partner work and circus elements. Through ‘Our’ you will see a journey that starts with conformity but opens to freedom and expression.
10 MINUTE INTERVAL
RESET YOUTH CO
Grow
Choreographed by Sophie Wilson & Cara Verney
Music: Horizon of Memories (instrumental) by Eternal Eclipse
Dancers: Portia, Hannah, Chnika, Keziah, Maria, Olivia, Katrina.
Coming together in a harmonious blend of movement and emotion in GROW. Beautifully capturing the journey of growing both as individuals and as a unified collective. An exhibition of fluidity, the dancers embody the essence of growth, resilience, and transformation. A symbolization of the importance of connection andcollaboration.
Reset Youth Co run every Tuesday evening in term time at our venue in Beeston, for ages 10-17 years. Sessions are led by our professional dance artists Cara Verney and Sophie Wilson. We aim to provide young people with excellent opportunities in dance, with weekly technique and choreographic practice, including performance & film opportunities.
LINDEN YOUTH
Language of the Unheard
Choreographed by Sara Macqueen & Christopher Radford
Music: Original Arrangement by Christopher Radford of You Can Show Me What by 16BIT, Le Grande Messe Noire by Phuture Doom and Sleepless by Andy Stott
Dancers: Lily Reyes, Ellie Waller, Freyja Girling, Affi Lucre, Bibi Mason, Linsey Riddell, Lily McCabe, Alice Chapman, Tove Hetherington Howell, Lucy Groves, Sacha Mills.
“A riot is the language of the unheard” - Martin Luther King, Jr. Language of the Unheard is an explosive, emotive exploration of the above quote, delving into the extreme actions that individuals may be forced to take when they feel they have no other hope. By looking at real-life stories of those who have rioted or protested, the dancers explored what might drive someone to take action, what feelings might arise and how their role in such events can impact them personally in the aftermath. The costumes for the piece have been designed and created by Linden Youth students Olivia Parker and Alice Coles.
KING EDWARD VI COLLEGE
Boundary
Behaviour
Choreographed by Anna Smith
Music: Waves at Boundaries by Johannes Motschmann and Growing up in Londunium by Daniel Pemberton
Dancers: Katie Pinder, Kyra Sahdra, Rachel Deville, Claudia Halliwell, Anastasia Antecka, Angelika Wyrzykowska, Izzy Hardy, Izzy Dyer, Grace Raxton, Megan Hall, Isla Lashford, Erin Holloway.
The original concept for the piece was exploring the differing behaviours of waves when they encounter a boundary in physics, refraction, diffraction, reflection and transmission. This then inspired thought and research into how humans behave when they reach a psychological boundary, and the physical and mental challenges this poses.
The first half of the piece is more abstract and scientific, a measured, controlled translation of the behaviours of waves. The second half of the piece embodies the human response, and the range of emotions felt when we are pushed to the edge. The dancers exhibit psychological and physical manifestations of this behaviour including agitation, rage, anxiety and exhaustion, they reject and cling to others in equal measure, as they attempt to control their boundary behaviour.
STERRAN DANCE COMPANY
La Nuova Flora
Choreographed by Katy Sterran and Co- Choreographer
Mersadies Morgan
Music: Roots Composed by Ni Singh
Dancers: Amelie Baker, Phoebe Bytheway, Verity Dowding, Skye Hassell, Katie Parkes, Francesca Morley, Imogen Scordis, Jack Smith, Cody Elston, Remy Freeman.
Inspired by the pioneering life & Art of Evelyn De Morgan, a role model & catalyst for change, La Nuova Flora by Sterran Dance Company is an uprising against social expectations & barriers, promoting transformative power & growth. This performance is an excerpt of the work, exploring the ‘roots’ that ultimately feed us, define us or restrict us.
Based in Wolverhampton, Sterran Dance Company are a Contemporary Dance Theatre Company produced by Flexus Dance Collective. Under the Artistic Direction & choreographic vision of Katy Sterran, the Company hold a strong reputation for their collaborative & empowering Dance Theatre works, outreach activity & touring programmes.
SHEPSHED DANCE CLUB
Curiouser and Curiouser!
Choreographed by Lauren Smith and Natalie Huggins
Music: Alice's Theme by Danny Elfman
Dancers: Holly Whitmore, Lucy Byard, Rhianna King, Maddison Cook, Scarlett Thompson, Ruby Clarke, Olivia Hutchinson, Sophie Pick, Lily Griffiths, Elsie Adam, Phoebe Lomax, Mia Barrowcliff, Freya Spendlove Hye, Lune Earp, Gracie Exon, Abbie Bateman, Eva Clarke.
The Alice in Wonderland story was the initial inspiration for this piece, we wanted to create the chaos of being thrown into an unknown world with so many different things going on, whilst also being soft and inviting to create a sense of belonging and home.
In each adaptation of Alice, a different event causes Alice to disassociate from her life and dive into the imaginary world of Wonderland. We explored with the dancers’ events in their own life which has made them want to disappear from their reality and go into their own Wonderland. Key examples they shared included parents’ separation, death of a family member and school bullying. By creating for each individual dancer their own motivation for why Wonderland needs to exist sometimes they are able to emote throughout the piece.
OUR LADY ST CHAD CATHOLIC ACADEMY
Soul Supper
Choreographed by Issabelle Chieza and Tashan Gray
Music:
CASIO - JUNGLE, STOMP! - THE BROTHERS JOHNSON, GOOD TIMES – JUNGLE
Dancers: Chrissi - Ann Beecher, Jahvohn Campbell, Kai Chieza, Annie Dixon, Poppy Dixon, Francesca Fieldhouse, Abigail Goodwin, Kahmeah Hamilton – Brown, Sinead Johnson, Emilija Kudzeviciute, Nyasha Onayemi, Sapphira Sangoo – Williams, Layla - Mae White.
Soul Supper and is a joyous and electrifying celebration of family, connection, and the vibrant energy of the 70s disco and funk era. This hiphop dance piece invites you to a dinner party unlike any other, exploring the highs, lows, and hilarious quirks that make every family gathering unforgettable. From sibling rivalries to parental antics, from heartfelt moments to spontaneous outbursts of dance, this piece captures the universal rhythm of family life.
The group trains weekly at an afterschool club where gifted and talented students are invited to attend from all years from Y7 - Y13. The genre of dance we mainly train is street dance. It is a chance for all students to share ideas and progress as dancers and choreographers and develop their technique and craft in this style of dance. We have been working on this piece since the start of October.
CENTRE FOR ADVANCED TRAINING
A dedicated part-time training programme for young people aged 11-18 and up to 23 for D/deaf or disabled people, supporting their dance learning and career development. Young dancers with talent and potential, regardless of their personal circumstances, receive world-class training in either Contemporary or South Asian styles, delivered on a part-time basis. We hold annual admissions workshops to enrol young people on to the programme.
Led by FABRIC (with Yuva Gati delivered in partnership with Sampad South Asian Arts and Heritage), the programme offers means-tested places funded by the Department for Education.
East and West Midlands
Contemporary strands
Admissions Workshops
West Midlands Contemporary Admissions Workshop
East Midlands Contemporary Admissions Workshop
Yuva Gati Admissions Workshop
Yuva Gati
South Asian national strand
Saturday 5 July
FABRIC, Birmingham Hippodrome, B5 4TB
Sunday 6 July
FABRIC, Space 2, Nottingham NG3 2AR
Saturday 12 July
FABRIC, Birmingham Hippodrome, B5 4TB
To find out more email catadmin@fabric.dance or visit www.fabric.dance/centre-for-advanced-training
Images by Kate Green
FABRIC, presenter of Applause Youth Dance Festival, is a strategic dance development organisation based in the Midlands with sites in Birmingham and Nottingham.
FABRIC's vision is to inspire people through dance, transforming lives, communities and places.
FABRIC supports dance artists, performers and choreographers; runs an extensive outreach and education programme; leads the FABRIC Centre forAdvanced Training programmes(see overleaf); and produces a range of community engagement projects.
Find out more about FABRIC and signup to our mailing lists at www.fabric.dance.
Image by Matt Cawrey