ZooNation Youth Company

Established in 2006, ZooNation Youth Company (ZYC) brings raw energy and talent to stages all over the UK, from Into the Hoods in the West End to performing for the International Olympic Committee at the Royal Opera House during the 2012 London Olympics. Their credits include Channel 4/BAFTA’s The Holloway Launderette, Breakin’ Convention, Move Like Michael Jackson (BBC), and Nelson Mandela’s 90th Birthday broadcast.

The company celebrates the very best young Hip Hop talent, training weekly in London through a subsidised programme that embodies ZooNation’s ethos, opening doors to fresh talent and showcasing it in high-profile performance opportunities.

Resident at Southbank Centre, ZYC brought shows Groove on Down the Road created by Kate Prince and Tales of the Turntable created by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, to the Queen Elizabeth Hall in 2013, 2014 and 2019. They have performed at the Royal Albert Hall, The Place, Southbank Centre, Excel’s Move It, The Old Vic Gala, The V&A and Natural History Museums and National Theatre’s River Stage.

Recent highlights include The Exchange with Sadler’s Wells Company of Elders in 2024 and Lights Out at the Royal Ballet and Opera’s Next Generation Festival 2025.

Artistic Director: Dannielle ‘Rhimes’ Lecointe
This will be Rhimes’ second year leading ZYC as Artistic Director, continuing to inspire and push the company forward with her experience and trademark creativity and vision.

Associate Artistic Director: Malachi Welch
We’re delighted to welcome Malachi in his first year as Associate AD of ZYC. As ZooNation Youth Company alumnus, Malachi has grown with the company and gone on to perform as a ZooNation Artist in productions including The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party and Message In A Bottle.
Together, Rhimes and Malachi will lead ZYC into an exciting new season of training, creative storytelling and artistic excellence.

UK Associates: Lindon Barr, Olivia Francis and Elijah Smith
International Associate Artist: Lil Buck

Applications to join ZooNation Youth Company are now now closed.

We hold auditions once a year to meet and welcome new young talent into our company. These usually take place at the start of September, in line with the academic year.

If you’d like to hear when the next round opens, please stay in touch and join our mailing list.

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• A high level of dance skill and ability in the foundational styles; Locking, Popping, House, Breaking.
• Strong performance and story-telling abilities.
• A high level of musicality, connecting and interpreting the music
• Ability to freestyle
• A commitment to improving your skills and working with a professional attitude
• A willingness to work as part of a company and as an individual

Where: London

Training Deposit: £30 per term – refundable subject to attendance conditions

Training Fee: £100 for the entire one year programme

Scholarships: ZooNation Youth Company is a subsidised training programme. We are passionate about supporting all young people wishing to pursue a career in dance. Please inform us at the time of submitting your audition form if you would like to apply for a scholarship. Successful applicants will receive a financial contribution towards covering their training fees.

Travel Bursaries: There are limited bursaries available for those travelling from outside London.

In addition, all company members must enrol at ZooNation Academy of Dance, Saturdays 3 – 6pm