Skip to main content

Performing and creating

A group of spectators surround a hip hop dancer performing a trick

Having the opportunity to be creative and perform can be transformative. It can help develop a range of skills, lower stress and build confidence.

We run a range of dance programmes for professional and non-professional artists. They’re designed to help you explore your creativity, develop performance skills and feel good about yourself.

The Company of Elders dancers rehearse in Sadler's Wells Theatre

Company of Elders

The Company of Elders is a performance group for non-professional dancers aged 60 and over. Each year, the company works with a range of professional choreographers to create new dance works that are performed at Sadler’s Wells and beyond.

The Company is made up of 20 dancers who rehearse at Sadler’s Wells on Friday mornings. People are offered a place in the company after taking part in a Company of Elders experience workshop.

For more information on our over 60s work, please register here.

The Sadler's Wells Young Associates stood together posing for a photo

Young Associates

Young Associates is a two-year programme for talented dance artists aged 24 or under. The programme is designed to give them that all-important first step into their career as choreographers.

Every two years, we select four young dance artists to become Young Associates. They get financial support, mentoring and the opportunity to train with leading industry figures, as well as the chance to make and present work at Sadler’s Wells.

Applications for 2023/24 Young Associates are now closed, applications will re-open in Summer 2024.

Find out more about Young Associates

Image © Camilla Greenwell

The Walk

Sadler’s Wells and its community programme of young people and seniors created a powerful dance experience in October to welcome the visit of the giant puppet ‘little Amal’ to the spectacular Somerset House courtyard. This short clip goes behind the scenes for the unforgettable event. The 20-minute dance specially choreographed by Ruby Portus, a former Sadler’s Wells Young Associate, echoed the touching story of the iconic giant puppet who has become a symbol of the plight of refugees in her 800Km journey across the globe. The ambitious project included an intergenerational cast of alumni dancers from the National Youth Dance Company, students from Sadler’s Wells’ Associate Schools Hugh Myddelton Primary School and Winton Primary School, and the Company of Elders, all groups which form an integral part of Sadler’s Wells’ award-winning Learning and Engagement department.

Production partners were Good Chance Theatre, Somerset House and The Walk.