Making Moves 2026/27
Show us your moves!
Making Moves is a choreography and performance project for schools and youth groups across England, run by Sadler’s Wells and supported by Barclays. Connecting young people with some of the world’s most exciting choreographers through digital choreographic resources and practical professional development workshops. The programme aims to raise the profile of dance being created in community and education settings and promote physical and creative literacy.
We’re excited to announce the four choreographers taking part in the 2026/27 academic year will be:
James Cousins, Vicki Igbokwe-Ozoagu, Akram Khan and Liv Lorent.
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Take Part in Making Moves 2026/27
Applications for the 2026/2027 academic year will open on this webpage on Monday 13 April.
“An unforgettable blend of creativity, collaboration and performance—a powerful reminder of what young dancers can achieve when they are supported, challenged, and inspired.’ – Making Moves Group Leader 2025/2026
‘[Making Moves] allowed students to grow in confidence and explore movement possibilities through a new way of working and generating material that I haven’t seen them perform before.’ – Making Moves Group Leader 2025/2026
How does it work?
Making Moves is a choreography and performance project for schools and youth groups across England, run by Sadler’s Wells and supported by Barclays. Each year up to 54 schools and youth dance groups will be selected to take part in the project made up of participants aged 11 – 18 (up to 24 years for d/Deaf or disabled young dancers).
Running across the academic year starting in September 2026, Making Moves provides participating groups with digital choreographic toolkits created by four professional dance artists connected with Sadler’s Wells. The toolkits contain a wealth of supporting resources that are designed to inspire ideas for creating bold, exciting and unexpected works.
This year the toolkits will be created by four choreographers: James Cousins, Vicki Igbokwe-Ozoagu, Akram Khan and Liv Lorent. Find out more about this year’s choreographers here.
The project will begin with a two day intensive at Sadler’s Wells for group leaders, including professional development workshops led by the choreographers. Group leaders will then draw from the toolkits and work with their young dancers to create a new dance work, which will be performed at their school or youth group setting. Footage from these local platforms will be sent to the choreographers who will provide ideas for further development. Following this, groups will attend a regional platform in Spring 2027, taking part in choreographic workshops led by Sadler’s Wells guest artists and performing their new work on the stage.
Once regional platforms have taken place, eight groups will be invited to perform on Sadler’s Wells stage in July 2027, to a public audience and the choreographer’s of the toolkits.
Go behind the scenes with 24/25 documentary
Find out more about the programme and what you can expect in this documentary available to watch for free on Digital Stage
Timeline
| 13 April 2026 | Applications open for Making Moves 26/27 |
| 31 May 2026 | Deadline for groups to apply |
| 12 June 2026 | Groups from across England selected and paired with their toolkit choreographer |
| W/C 7 September 2026 | Toolkits go live |
| Friday 18 & Saturday 19 September 2026 | Choreographers’ Exchange – an inspirational and professional development weekend for group leaders at Sadler’s Wells |
| September – December 2026 | Groups work with their toolkits in their home setting. |
| End of Autumn Term 2026 | Footage of local performance to be submitted to Making Moves |
| February – April 2027 | Regional performance platforms at national partner venues |
| 13-14 July 2027 | Performances by selected groups on a Sadler’s Wells stage |
The Choreographers
Toolkits & The Choreographers’ Exchange
The choreographic toolkits are uniquely designed by each choreographer and are for everyone to use – whether you have lots of experience of choreographing or very little. The toolkits will provide you with an insight into how a choreographer approaches creating new work through footage of warm ups, movement ideas and creative tasks, as well as supporting resources, including music suggestions.’
The Choreographers’ Exchange provides an opportunity for group leaders to meet and work directly with the choreographer of their toolkit. Over the course of the intensive, they will guide you through the material and lead sessions designed to be accessible to all, including those with no previous dance experience. Participants will also be invited to a performance or networking event at Sadler’s Wells.
Creation Period
The creation process will begin after the Choreographers’ Exchange. During that period, you will receive support from the Making Moves team and be connected to other participating groups in your region as well as those from around England who are working with the same toolkit. By the end of the creation period, the goal is to have made an original piece of choreography that is between 4 – 8 minutes long.
Local, Regional and National Performances
Local/home venue
Each group will share a first draft of their work in a local or home venue to an audience. This can be made up of family, friends, staff and members of your local dance community. Footage from this performance will be sent to the choreographer of your toolkit who will provide feedback on the piece before your regional performance.
Regional
Sadler’s Wells will organise the regional platforms. These regional platforms will take place at various venues around the country in Spring 2027, from February-April. You will be informed of the venue and the date as soon as possible.
At the regional platform, there will be an opportunity to share your work with other groups from your local region. It will be an exciting day of masterclasses and talks with guest artists from the Making Moves team, followed by the performance.
National
From these regional platforms, eight groups will be selected to perform on a Sadler’s Wells stage to a public audience on 14 July 2027, with a technical rehearsal the day before on 13 July.
Fees/Bursaries
The cost for groups to participate in Making Moves is £300 (+VAT), which can be paid across 2 instalments.
Bursaries are available to support groups facing financial barriers to participation. You can apply for a bursary during the application process.
Contact us
If you have any further questions about Making Moves, please email the team at MakingMoves@sadlerswells.com
Supported by Barclays
About Barclays
Barclays is a British universal bank. We are diversified by business, by different types of customers and clients, and by geography. Our businesses include consumer banking and payments operations around the world, as well as a top-tier, full service, global corporate and investment bank, all of which are supported by our service company which provides technology, operations and functional services across the Group.
For further information about Barclays, please visit our website www.barclays.com
FAQs
About Making Moves
What makes Making Moves unique?
Making Moves is a new project that lifts the lid off choreography, looking into the minds and practice of some of the most exciting choreographers working today. This project explores the craft of making dance and aims to give dedicated time and space to explore a creative process that encourages the development of unique artistic voices. Also, Making Moves values and connects with teachers and group leaders providing them with resources and support to share with their young people as they nurture their creativity.
Is it a competition?
This is an opportunity for all participating groups to celebrate trying something new and developing their creative practice. As part of this, 8 groups a year will be selected from the regional platform to represent the project by performing on a Sadler’s Wells stage at the National Platform.
Other than the fee, what other costs are involved?
Costs can vary for each group dependent on location, but can include accommodation, rehearsal and production costs, travel, studio hire and music rights. If you would like to talk to us about this, or would like to apply for a bursary to offset certain costs due to financial barriers, please contact the Making Moves team: MakingMoves@sadlerswells.com
Group Eligibility
What is the age requirement for the dancers?
Dancers in your group must be between 11 – 18 years old (or up to 24 for D/deaf and Disabled dancers).
How many dancers can be in each piece?
Please note that the maximum number of dancers per piece is set at 20. If you have an exceptional circumstance and would like to discuss this with the Making Moves team, please contact: MakingMoves@sadlerswells.com
How much experience do I need as a dance teacher / leader to take part in the project?
You don’t need to have any previous experience to take part. The toolkits are designed so that they are accessible for all groups. During the Choreographers Weekend you will have the opportunity to learn some of the material from the toolkit as well as explore the creative ideas suggested within it. The key to these toolkits is for us to hear your voice within them! How you choose to make movement based on these toolkits is a product of your environment and experiences, and this is what we are interested in.
Can international companies take part?
No, this is a project for groups residing in England.
Can I enter two or more groups?
Please make one entry per school/group. If you have an exceptional circumstance and would like to discuss this with the Making Moves team, please contact: MakingMoves@sadlerswells.com
Selection Process
How are groups selected?
The Making Moves team will select 48 groups that are as even as possible a representation of those that applied. We are aiming for a spread of ages (the 11-14 age range, as well as the 14-24 age range), a mix of performance and choreography experience, a representation of disability, different dance styles, backgrounds and historically underrepresented voices, and a balance of type of group and geography. Equally so, we want to ensure that all selected groups are committed to the programme and have expressed a genuine interest in taking part.
What happens if I’m not accepted on to Making Moves?
We will be in touch about the outcome of your application by 15 July 2025. If you were unsuccessful, your group will automatically be placed onto a waiting list should any companies withdraw from the process before the Choreographers’ Exchange. We would aim to inform you of any changes as soon as possible so your group has time to prepare.
I applied for previous Making Moves but was not successful. Should I apply again?
Yes, we would be happy to receive an application from your group again.
I took part in previous Making Moves. Can I apply to take part again?
Yes, you can apply again. Please note, in the first instance, priority for places will go to groups who haven’t yet taken part. If you are applying from the same school / youth group, but with a completely different set of dancers, please let us know this information in your application form so we can take this into consideration.
Disability Support
What support is there for d/Deaf or disabled dancers / dance leaders?
We are committed to being open and inclusive. The toolkits are designed to be as accessible as possible. If on receiving your toolkit you would like further support, please do get in touch and we will be more than happy to discuss ways in which we can help. Equally so, the dance platforms – local, regional, national – are open to everyone. If there’s are way that we can support an individual to participate, we’d like to know about it so we can prioritise removing barriers and ensuring a welcoming environment. Please connect with the team: MakingMoves@sadlerswells.com
Creating Choreography
Do we have to have previous training in the choreographer’s style of dancing in order to use the toolkit?
No. The toolkits are created for any groups with any dance style to be able to use them. As part of the Choreographers’ Exchange there will be an opportunity to meet and work directly with the choreographer of your toolkit and they will design the session to be accessible to all including those with no previous dance experience.
Will there be support for teachers and group leaders throughout the process?
Yes, there will be touch points with the Making Moves team and teachers/group leaders throughout the creation period. All group leaders are welcome to contact the Making Moves team at any point during the year, by phone or email, should they have any queries or require individual support.
What kind of feedback can we expect on the choreography we create?
Written feedback will be provided by the choreographer of your toolkit following the performance at your local/home venue. This is aimed to highlight your group’s strengths and achievements in a positive and constructive way, and give ideas and suggestions for how to further develop your group’s choreography and performance skills. Following the regional platform, we will be in touch with further information about whether your group has been selected to perform at the National Platform.
Who is required to attend the Choreographers' Exchange?
One group leader from each participating group must attend the Choreographers’ Exchange at Sadler’s Wells Theatre. In extenuating circumstances, we can offer an additional place however this must be agreed with the Making Moves team in advance.
Are there costs involved in the Choreographers' Exchange?
Groups are responsible for covering their own travel and accommodation costs. A limited number of bursaries are available for groups that would benefit from financial support. You can apply for a bursary during the application process.
Teachers / Education
Can my students use Making Moves as part of a course they’re studying?
Yes. The toolkit can be used within the BTEC curriculum, Arts Award and can also support learning within the choreography and performance components for GCSE and A level Dance. Making Moves is not connected to the exam boards or Arts Award and performances for Making Moves would still need to fit within the timeframe given.
Health and Safety
Where can I find Sadler’s Wells’ safeguarding and safety policies?
You can find the Sadler’s Wells Safeguarding Policy on our website.
Participating groups will also be given access to further policies including risk assessments and data sharing.