Dance Consortium is committed to fostering the future dance and theatre workforce. Established in 2015, the Future Leaders programme is tailored for individuals aged 19-26, offering insights into offstage roles in theatre and dance and providing connections with industry professionals through Dance Consortium’s network of 24 regional venues. It creates opportunities to connect with staff from Dance Consortium and large-scale theatres across the UK, international dance companies and industry specialists. This provides young people keen to develop experience in areas such a producing, marketing and arts management unique industry insights and experience. It is free to take part and designed to fit around work or study commitments.
Applications are now open – deadline 11th January 2026
For more information, view the Future Leaders Information Pack
Future Leaders has supported 139 individuals to date. As part of Dance Consortium’s commitment to provide opportunities for young people to develop careers in the arts and cultural sector and break down barriers to access, half of the programme places are reserved for individuals from backgrounds currently underrepresented in the UK theatre workforce.
The 2026 programme will include venue Insight Visits, online skills workshops, cohort networking and personalised mentoring to broaden and focus participants’ exposure to industry expertise.
“The opportunity to learn from industry professionals and meet other young people interested in the same things as me has truly propelled my career and understanding of the arts.”
“Opportunities to experience UK theatre and the level of excellence within the industry that Dance Consortium pride themselves on representing are few and far between, and the added support financially for these visits did not go unappreciated at my end.”
“The opportunity to have really insightful and inspiring discussions with theatre professionals and learn extensively about the industry, whilst also feeling part of a network and sharing our own experiences as early career professionals.”
