APPLY TO U.DANCE EAST
APPLICATIONS OPEN!
Applications are now open for U.Dance East 2026! DanceEast would love to invite you and your group to make an application for the event – please see further information and details below.
This year, DanceEast will be hosting a showcase of dance for youth dance groups, companies and schools from across the region, presented across two weekends. Each weekend of activities, workshops and digital interaction will provide an opportunity for youth dance groups across the East of England to come together and celebrate dance.
U.DANCE EAST
U.DANCE EAST FRINGE | Saturday 7 March 2026 | Afternoon
U.DANCE EAST | Saturday 14 March 2026 | All Day
Location: DanceEast, The Jerwood DanceHouse, 1-3 Foundry Lane, Ipswich, IP4 1DW
FREE TO APPLY!
TIMELINE
Monday 8 September 2025 | 9.00am – Applications Open!
October 2025 – Groups Leaders Workshops (Zoom)
Friday 7 November 2025 | 5.00pm – Applications Close
w/c Monday 1 December 2025 – Groups Notified of application outcome
February 2026 – Group Leaders Technical Session (in-person)
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
- You are based in the East of England, which includes the following counties: Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.
- Dancers are aged 11 – 19 (or up to the age of 25 for dancers with disabilities/additional needs) at the time of the platform’s delivery date.
- Groups are a minimum of 1 and maximum of 30 dancers.
U.Dance East welcomes dancers performing any style or genre and actively encourages inclusive groups to apply. U.Dance East is for everyone! Group leaders should fill in an application form, which you can access HERE (button to jump down page to form)/ by scrolling further down this page.
There are two application routes:
ON-STAGE
- For groups who wish to submit a live performance that will be performed at U.Dance East
ON-SCREEN
- For groups who wish to submit a dance film to be screened at U.Dance East
You can apply to both! Successful onstage and on-screen applications will be presented at either U.Dance East or U.Dance East Fringe.
Within the application, groups must submit a maximum of 2 minutes of footage (rehearsal footage that clearly demonstrates the style and intention is acceptable) of the piece to be performed, or film to be screened, as part of the application process.
HOW ARE GROUPS SELECTED FOR U.DANCE EAST?
Groups are selected by a panel made up of dancers, industry professionals and young people, who will assess each piece and select groups to perform at U.Dance East or U.Dance East Fringe based on the following criteria:
- Demonstrate excellence in performance
- Present excellent and engaging choreography*
- Shows dancers taking clear ownership of the choreography, which is appropriate for their age and experience*
- Demonstrate respect and consideration to all (demonstrated through both the groups’ conduct and the appropriateness of performance content)
*A note on choreography: Excellent work selected for U.Dance East in previous years has been created by group leaders, teachers, young people, professional choreographers and any number of collaborations. There is no preferred ‘type’ of choreographer and no weighing in the selection process is given to who created the piece.
The panel will also consider the following so that the U.Dance East and U.Dance East Fringe…
- Reflects the diversity of dance styles practiced by young people across the UK
- Creates an interesting and varied performance programme
- Showcase excellent and authentic work from a range of settings and geographical locations across the region
SUPPORT
DanceEast are hosting two optional online Zoom information sessions for Group Leaders to find out more about the platform and ask questions regarding U.Dance East 2026.
Tuesday 7 October 2025 | 4.00pm – 5.00pm
Wednesday 8 October 2025 |12.00pm – 1.00pm
To book your place on a Group Leaders Workshop, please email u.dance@danceeast.co.uk stating your preferred date.
If you have any queries or would like any help with your application, please contact us by emailing u.dance@danceeast.co.uk
Good luck!
