TWO THIRDS SKY
“…I successfully auditioned for Dance2, which became a significant part of my training. It was where I connected with other likeminded dancers and expanded my dance style and experience…”
- Dance2 Participant
Are you between 11-18 years of age and love dance? If so, we are looking for talented young performers to represent the very best in dance from across the county.
Dance2 is Bedfordshire’s foremost provision in contemporary dance practice for young people. Many of our young dancers work with us to hone their skills before auditioning for the regional CAT schemes, vocational courses or the National Youth Dance Company at Sadler’s Wells. Our weekly sessions are led by dancers from the professional company, and we welcome participants who are looking to challenge themselves and have fun working with others.
Previous Dance2 participants have gone on to study dance at University or Conservatoire colleges and are now professionals working across the sector.
This includes performing within companies such as Sydney Dance Company, The Richard Alston Dance Company and the Ballet Boyz, as well as working in other fields such as dance photography, project management and teaching. Many of our past dancers return to guest teach or work on Two Thirds Sky projects.
Performances
Dance2 have been selected to represent the Eastern Region at theNational U.Dance Festival (run by One DanceUK) in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017. This has allowed our young dancers to travel across the UK to perform at some of the country’s most prestigious theatre spaces, including ThePeacock Theatre, London, Jerwood DanceHouse, Ipswich, Stanley andAudrey Burton Theatre, Leeds, TheLowry, Salford, NottinghamPlayhouse and Birmingham Hippodrome. In Nottingham the young people had the exciting opportunity being billed alongside Akram Khan’s Rashomon Effect for NYDC.
Naimh Currie-Smith, a National Youth Dance Ambassador, reviewed our work at Dance East, writing:
"One of my favourite pieces was ’Aleppo’ performed by Dance2...ranging from the ages of 13-17 years old, the dancers touched on the unfolding events in Syria and the ancient citadel of Aleppo. I felt that the dancers addressed the events in a mature and sensitive way, incorporating different styles of dance such as native folk and contemporary which created a sense of the bringing together of two cultures..."
- YDE Review 2014
Two Thirds Sky supports Dance2 participants to choreograph and share their own work. In 2016 select young people were entered into the national Young Creatives program, a project run by One Dance UK for budding choreographers. Our successful candidates had their work developed and performed in association with The Royal Opera House.
We also encourage dancers to participate and engage in workshops, seminar discussions and masterclasses. Previously this has included a talk with Matthew Bourne, a Richard Alston Dance Company Masterclass, a Retina Dance workshop, and most recently a summer school featuring Aaron Vickers of James Cousins Company. In 2014 young people also participated in the MK International Festival as part of Rosemary Lee’s Cathedral of Trees.
Being Part of Dance2
We have two groups that train weekly on Monday evenings, which includes a technique class, followed by choreographic work and preparation for performance.
Dance2 Juniors (9-13yrs)
Mondays 5:00-6:30pm x 10 weeks @ £80 per term
Dance2 Seniors (14-18yrs)
Mondays 6:30-8:30pm x 10 weeks @ £100 per term
There are ten weeks in each term, with a week’s break in the middle for Half Term.
Studio sessions take place at:
University of Bedfordshire
Polhill Campus
Polhill Avenue
Bedford
MK41 9EA
For more information and to register, email:
Term Dates
The Autumn 2023 Term runs:
Monday 2nd October to Monday 11th December 2022
(No session on half term: Monday 23rd October)
What happens at the audition?
Dance2 auditions are a chance to try our classes and enjoy moving through the space. We start with a contemporary technique session and then lead to a creative and choreographic section. If you don’t have much experience in contemporary as a style, our leaders will guide you through the sequences and give you plenty of opportunity to work in small groups, rehearse or ask questions.
Copyright © Two Thirds Sky 2023
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