As a member of Watson Dance Project you will work as a company to create new works with Sharon Watson MBE and other guest artists, to be performed as part of Leeds 2023 – a landmark year of culture in the city. Watson Dance Project explores performance in non-traditional spaces including outdoor and/or site specific work and the possibilities of community engagement. There will be opportunities to work with professionals to develop the skills you need to be industry-ready, as well as opportunities to develop​ your professional network. Students completing the course will be enrolled on the MA in Contemporary Dance Performance (PPS) 

A regular morning class will be led by a guest teacher or member of NSCD staff. Rehearsals and coaching sessions will be led by Gianluca Vincentini – also Artistic Director and CEO of Mobius Dance. Approximately 15-20 students in total will be involved in the project.

Read more here

The application form will be available on this page until the closing date.

What do I need to include in my application?

You are not required to provide references.  Copies of academic certificates will only be requested if you are offered a place.

1. Personal Details: name, contact details, date of birth, nationality, gender
2. Education: name of your current or most recent place of education
3. Qualifications: the highest academic qualification level you expect to have completed by course entry i.e. Level 6; UK Undergraduate Degree, Level 6; Non-UK Undergraduate Degree or other (please state).
4. Dance Education: name of your current or most recent main place of dance education (which may be the same as your place of Education)
5. CV (to include a headshot)
6. Showreel video (read guidance)
7. Solo video: self-choreographed or repertoire (max 3 minutes)
8. Personal Statement: a) In your training to date, tell us about the creative and performance opportunities you have had and who has most inspired your movement/choreographic identity? b) What are your current aspirations for the future?
   c) Tell us what you feel are the most important skills and traits a dancer needs to have, working both as a collective and in a collaborative way with a director?
9. Additional Video Audition Links (if chosen option)
10. Equality and Diversity Information (ethnicity, disability and household income). The information you give in this section is used for statistical and monitoring processes only and does not form any part of the selection or admissions process.  If, however, you wish us to make any disability access arrangements for your audition there will be a box for you to let us know your requirements.
11. Submit your application: you will receive an email confirmation from admissions@nscd.ac.uk which will include a copy of your application. We recommend that you add this email address to your contacts to avoid it going to your junk mail.  Please check and save this email.
12. Make your online application/audition payment: After submitting your application you will be automatically be re-directed to the NSCD Online Box Office pay for your application.

All applicants are required to pay a £20 application fee. You will be redirected to payment upon completing your application form.

All applications, including those who are auditioning in-person and by video, must be submitted by midday Wednesday 25 May 2022.

The MA Contemporary Dance Performance audition panel will view all applications as they are received and applicants will be informed of the outcome one week after the closing date.  Applicants choosing to audition in-person will be invited to attend an audition at NSCD.

In-person audition:

• Sunday 29 May 2022

• 10:30 – 11:30 Ballet 
• 11:30 – 12:30 Contemporary 
• 12:30 – 12:45 Break
• 12:45 – 13:45 Devising 
• 13:45 – 14:15 Closing chat

For info: To conclude the audition, the creative session is an opportunity for you to show us your full range of skills which you might not have had the chance to show us in the other sessions. You are encouraged to work creatively and individually on a task whilst integrating your personal qualities and skills. As some examples, if you have experience in breakdancing, vogueing, text work or use of voice then we’d love for you to platform these skills in the creative session.

Specific technical work is required to be learnt (at this link) and filmed as part of your remote audition

1. Technical Work: Ballet (Maximum 5 minutes)
2. Technical Work: Contemporary (Maximum 5 minutes)
3. Solo: self-choreographed or repertoire (Maximum 3 minutes)
4. Personal Statement – Verbal (Maximum 3 minutes)
   a) In your training to date, tell us about the creative and performance opportunities you have had and who has most inspired your movement/choreographic identity?
   b) What are your current aspirations for the future?
   c) Tell us what you feel are the most important skills and traits a dancer needs to have, working both as a collective and in a collaborative way with a director?

For Info: During your choreographed solo take the opportunity to show us your full range of skills which you might not have had the chance to show us in the other sessions. As some examples, if you have experience in breakdancing, vogueing, text work or use of voice then we’d love for you to platform these skills in either your solo or in the improvisation video.

• All outcomes will be communicated by Wednesday 1 June, for both in-person and video auditonees.

Audition feedback is available on request to admissions@nscd.ac.uk and provided after offers are made.