Facilities - Northern School of Contemporary Dance
 

Eight Large Dance Studios

Our studios contain fully sprung floors, pianos and percussion instruments for live accompaniment, ballet barres and integrated video and audio replay equipment. The studio allocation includes the theatre, providing daily opportunities for students to develop their stagecraft and performance skills in a theatre setting.

All of our studios have:

  • Comprehensive audio system
  • Piano
  • Ballet barres
  • Mirrors
  • Fully sprung dance sub-floor
  • Grey dance top floor (all except one which has a wooden floor)
  • Video projection or monitor playback facilities

Riley Theatre

Riley Theatre is one of few dedicated dance venues in the North and the largest dedicated dance house in Yorkshire, programming professional work by visiting regional, national and European artists and companies, alongside NSCD student work, NSCD Learning and Participation and other youth and community platforms. Classes and rehearsals are also held in the Riley Theatre.

Visit Riley Theatre site

Lighting Studio

Our fully equipped lighting studio is used for stagecraft practice, rehearsals and performances. Students can explore the technical aspects of theatre such as lighting and sound to support their work, and can test out ideas with help from our theatre technician. The space is often used as an alternative performance space for installations, informal sharings, creative project work and video/multimedia work.

Bodywork Studio

Students have access to a fully resourced Bodywork studio housed next to studio 8. The space has machines for aerobic and cardio-vascular work, gym mats and other resources which support Pilates and other complimentary practices.

Library

Incorporating a collection of 14500+ items, a helpdesk and student computers, our Library provides all the reference and research materials needed to support your studies. The library has two full-time dedicated staff members who are available to support students throughout the week. The library also provides a range of online resources that can be accessed remotely.

Library Services

Café Bar and Foyer

The main function of our café is to cater for the students and staff of the school. The foyer area provides a welcoming and comfortable area to relax and socialise during well-earned breaks between classes; like the living room to a big family house. Further break out spaces with tables and chairs can be found in the foyer of the theatre area, upstairs landing of the theatre area, the balcony of the theatre and the quiet zone near studio 8. Students may at times of need also seek quiet refuge in the well-being suite upstairs or in the carpeted area by studio 8.

The Courtyard

On fine weather days students have full access from the foyer and café to the courtyard with seating in pleasant surroundings with flower boarders. They also spend lunchtimes and after school hours in the green spaces in the park opposite.

VIDEO AND SOUND EDITING SUITE 
Video cameras, iMacs and industry standard software are available for the students to facilitate the creation of digital work.

CHANGING ROOM, TOILETS AND WASH FACILITIES
Male and female changing for daily classes can be found on each floor of the building.  These facilities encompass changing, toilets and showering facilities.  Male and female guest artist and staff changing facilities (with toilets and changing) can be found downstairs at the front of the building and behind studio 2 (both with easy access to the theatre.) Male and female toilets can be found in the entrance to Riley Theatre and near studio 3. We have a gender neutral and disabled facility near the front entrance of the building by student services.

ACCESSIBLE SERVICES
All floors are accessible via the lifts at the front entrance and near studio 3 of the building.  The theatre is accessible through the front entrance.  The Theatre is partially accessible for audience members with disabilities.

Please note: animals are not permitted into the building except for assistance/guide dogs.

TUTORIAL SPACES
We have two bookable meeting rooms for academic and pastoral tutorials. These can also be booked by students for small group work and meetings.

FORMAL LECTURE SPACES
All studios have the facility for some embedded theory to take place with projection facilities and computer link up facilities.  More traditional formal lectures are usually delivered in the seminar room on the first floor or in large groups in the Riley Theatre.

STORAGE
All students have access to their own locker to store clothing and bags.  Show racks are available outside of each studio for storage of footwear whilst students are in class.

ESSENTIAL LAUNDRY FACILITY
As the studios are open from 8.30am to 9pm, 7 days per week, we have the facility for students to wash essential items of clothing in the Laundry in studio 8 whilst they are in weekend rehearsals.