Expressions

The performances take place at Northern Ballet’s home studio theatre, the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre, 2 St Cecilia Street, Leeds, LS2 7PA.

The performances are on the following days/times, and you will perform in one performance.

• Tuesday 8 July, 1pm
• Tuesday 8 July, 7pm
• Wednesday 9 July, 1pm
• Wednesday 9 July, 7pm

If you are performing live, you will be asked to come and take part in a short technical rehearsal, on stage, before your performance takes place. In the application form, we will ask you what time you can arrive for this.

You can submit a piece of dance or creative movement to be performed live as part of the Expressions festival. Alternatively, we also welcome applications for filmed work that can be showcased as part of the festival. Please note we need to receive film work as a file and not via an online link such as YouTube. The deadline for us to receive your film is Tuesday 27 May to ensure our Technical Team have time to test the files and ensure your film plays at its best quality.

For those who would like to submit a live performance that combines film or projection, you may need to attend a technical rehearsal ahead of Expressions week. The Expressions project manager will contact you to discuss your needs further.

Your piece may be up to seven minutes long; shorter pieces are also very welcome. 
 

All performances are in a Relaxed style which includes:

• The lights in the auditorium will remain on during the performance
• You can make noise during the performance
• You can leave and re-enter the auditorium as you need
• If you want to leave the auditorium there is a chill out space available
• The sound and lighting are adapted to reduce the volume and remove flashing lighting effects
• Ear defenders are available if the sound is too loud.

In addition, we provide a mobile Changing Places Toilet (hired from AccessoLoo) and a temporary changing space with a fixed height bed and hoist.

All performances will also be audio described live by a VocalEyes describer. We use Mobile Connect to share the description with those who need it. Mobile Connect can be downloaded on to your smartphone or tablet so that you can listen with your own device. We will have a limited number of devices available to borrow if you aren’t able to use your own.

Our building is wheelchair accessible. View detailed access information on Northern Ballet's home.

You will receive a building guide ahead of the performances which will show you the spaces in the building you will use and our facilities and some of our rules in the building. We will endeavour to work with any group or dancer to meet their access needs so that they can take part. Please contact us on expressions@northernballet.com if you have any questions.

Applications are open to inclusive dance groups, Dance for Parkinson’s groups and solo work and the deadline for applications is Friday 14 March. Pieces for the performances will be selected by an impartial panel who will use the applications received to create a varied and exciting programme.

Northern Ballet’s Learning team will be in touch on Friday 21 March to notify you of their decision. If you/your group are offered a performance slot, you will be sent further paperwork to complete and more information about the event, including a schedule and visual story to help prepare your group for their visit to Northern Ballet. The deadline to return this paperwork and any music or film files will be Tuesday 27 May.

Please don’t worry if your group are not selected to perform this time – there are still lots of other opportunities to get involved in Expressions, from taking part in workshops to watching some exceptional performances. We do hope you will join us as we continue to celebrate and champion inclusive dance in all its forms. 
 

You can complete your application in many different formats. On our website it is available as a Word document, which you can complete by hand and scan it in to send to us, or you can complete it digitally. The form is also provided as a digital form (external). This will automatically be sent back to us when you complete but please note you are not able to save your answers and come back to them using this form. 

You can also record an audio note or video answering the questions if that is easier for you. Alternatively, if you would like to answer the questions over the phone, via a Zoom call or at an in-person meeting we can arrange this for you too.