Double the difference – ZooNation to take part in Big Give campaign
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As March kicks off, we’re excited to announce that ZooNation has been selected to be part of this year’s Big Give Arts for Impact campaign (18th to 24th March) and will be raising vital funds for ZooNation Youth Company.
What you need to know
Between 18th – 24th March, every donation made to ZooNation will be DOUBLED by Big Give. That’s right—one donation, double the impact for ZooNation Youth Company (ZYC).
£1 becomes £2, £10 becomes £20, £100 becomes £200… you get the idea!
It really is that simple!
Why it matters
As may have experienced first hand, ZYC is more than a youth company—it’s a family. Since 2006, we’ve been a home for young talent, fostering creativity and delivering incredible performance and training opportunities.
Now, more than ever, places like ZYC are vital in helping young artists grow and thrive.
How you can help
DONATE:
Help up achieve our £5000 fundraising target by donating via Big Give campaign page between 18-24th March
Simply donate ANY AMOUNT via our Big Give campaign page
SHARE:
Help us spread the word and share your experience of ZooNation and our Youth Company on the Big Give page or engage with the campaign on our social media platforms via @zoonationuk
Set your reminders – you can donate between 18th – 26th March only
New show announcement | ZooNation give Dickens’ classic a hip hop makeover
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Ebony Scrooge: A Brand-New Show from ZooNation coming to Sadler’s Wells East
Today ZooNation are hugely excited to announce Ebony Scrooge, our brand-new production in collaboration with Sadler’s Wells East opening this Christmas.
Created by our Associate Artistic Director Dannielle ‘Rhimes’ Lecointe, we’re bringing a fresh, contemporary twist to Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. This show is bold, vibrant and full of the energy and creativity you’ve come to expect from us.
This time, we’re stepping into the world of Ebony, a powerhouse at the helm of a global fashion empire. But when her ambition leads her to cancel Christmas, she finds herself on an unexpected journey. With the help of three mystical visitors, Ebony reconnects with her Caribbean roots and begins to uncover what truly makes life meaningful.
The show is led by Rhimes, who brings her East London upbringing and Caribbean heritage to this reimagining. Rhimes’ vision, paired with original music by Michael ‘Mikey J’ Asante (Artistic Director and Founder of Boy Blue), creates a dynamic and powerful production ready to capture the imagination of all generations.
Rhimes says – “This is a story the world knows well, but for me—as a Black woman born and raised in East London—it carries a deeply personal significance. It’s a chance to celebrate a monumental moment by weaving elements of my own journey as a second-generation Caribbean child into hip hop and my favourite Christmas tale. My hope is that audiences leave not only entertained and inspired but also with a deeper appreciation for the strength and beauty of their own unique stories… With Ebony Scrooge, we’re blending humour, energy and cultural influences to celebrate individuality, family and community, all while rediscovering the joy of Christmas!”
We can’t wait to share Ebony Scrooge with you at the stunning new Sadler’s Wells East theatre in Stratford from 26th November 2025 to 4th January 2026. It’s a show for all ages, blending hip hop, comedy and powerful storytelling in a way that’s uniquely ZooNation.
Full cast and creatives announcement coming soon
Practical Online CPD Event: Introduction to the fundamental Hip-Hop Techniques and Message In A Bottle Repertoire
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Practical Online CPD Event: Introduction to the fundamental Hip-Hop Techniques and Message In A Bottle Repertoire with dance captain Lindon Barr.
Hosted by Bradley Charles and Rachel Howes
Are you looking to improve your practical Hip-Hop dance technique and teaching pedagogy, learn professional repertoire to deliver in class or deliberate on the best ways to develop student feedback and reflection to support student progress and grading evidence, then this CPD is for you.
Join us for a day’s practical CPD studying technique and repertoire from Message In A Bottle with Bradley Charles our Associate Artist and our Education Consultant Rachel Howes. This professional development (CPD) session is designed specifically for dance and performing arts educators and can be used in connection to support the delivery of Components 2 and 3 of the BTEC Tech Awards in Performing Arts and BTEC Nationals in Performing Arts/ Performance Units 2, 3 and 11.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to inspire your students with fresh ideas and techniques, refresh your skills and explore creative approaches to dance education in this engaging online session then sign up using the following link.
Breakdown of the day:
Morning Session Part One:
Introduction to the fundamental Hip-Hop techniques which could include elements of social groves, locking, popping, house, waacking and breaking. This element of the session is to equip you with the basic skills and technique exercises to develop students’ technical ability in class.
Morning Session Part Two:
How to ensure students are effectively reviewing their own development and application of performance skills.
LUNCH BREAK
Afternoon Session Part One:
Learn part of the professional repertoire from our Production Message in a Bottle with dance captain Lindon Barr.
Afternoon Session Part Two:
Explore ways to deliver this to the ‘whole cohort’ to make it accessible for all, creating quality first teaching experiences.
Q&A SESSION
£100 per place
Twilight CPD Event: Introduction to themes, creation and roles & responsibilities of The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party with Bradley Charles and Rachel Howes
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Join Bradley Charles, ZooNation Associate Artist and Resident Director of The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party and our Educational Consultant Rachel Howes, for an exciting professional development (CPD) session designed specifically for dance and performing arts educators.
This event will introduce you to ZooNation’s unique production creative approaches, purpose, specific roles & responsibilities and themes that these may specifically link to to support the delivery of delivery of Component 1 & 2 of the BTEC Tech Awards in Performing Arts and BTEC Nationals in Performing Arts/ Performance Unit 1.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to inspire your students with fresh ideas and techniques, refresh your skills and explore creative approaches to dance education in this engaging online session then sign up using the following link.
This session will be supported with a special edition fact file to gain further insight into the production processes of The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, produced by Resident Director Bradley Charles, and a copy of supporting digital resources produced by Educational Consultant, Rachel Howes.
This session is aimed at teachers of Pearson’s BTEC Performing Arts/ Key Stage 3, 4 & 5 Dance Educators
Thursday, 21 November
4pm – 6pm GMT
(Online event)
ZooNation Youth Company announce New Artistic Leadership and Talent Search
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ZooNation is thrilled to announce a significant development in our youth company’s artistic leadership, as auditions and a series of brand new masterclasses open! We’re looking to meet the next generation of exceptional dance artists aged between 10-20 – Could it be you?
The 2025 cohort of ZooNation Youth Company dancers will be led by the joint artistic leadership of ZooNation’s Founder and Artistic Director Kate Prince and Associate Artistic Director Dannielle ‘Rhimes’ Lecointe.
Kate Prince said, “It’s a full circle moment for me as the company’s Founder. Having spent significant time on productions including Sylvia at the Old Vic, The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party at The Royal Opera House and Message In A Bottle which recently returned from a world tour and Broadway, I can’t wait to get back in the studio where it all began.
The next generation need access to the arts and genuine opportunities like ZYC more than ever. I am incredibly proud of our alumni who have gone on to achieve remarkable things. For many of the young people who have joined us, it has been a life-changing experience. ZYC offers not only professional opportunities, but also a place to train, be inspired, and feel part of something special.
We are able to provide these exceptionally talented young people with a platform to express themselves, offer them a sense of belonging and a potential future in the performing arts. It feels like the right time to be taking the baton again, alongside the brilliant Dannielle ‘Rhimes’ Lecointe. I am excited to work together, to meet new talent, but also hope to see many familiar faces during auditions and workshops.”
Dannielle ‘Rhimes’ Lecointe said: “I’ve worked with ZYC intensively over the years and am honoured to carry on the legacy of outstanding talent we have raised up in the industry. To also do this with Kate, for the first time whom I’ve worked with for 18 years is incredibly exciting and feels like a fresh wave for the company.”
Recognising the urgent need to nurture young talent, Prince established ZooNation Youth Company (ZYC) in 2006, which has since flourished into a sector-leading training and performance company of around 20 young hip-hop performers. Notable alumni include Rambert dance artist Liam Francis, Dancer and International Dance Educator Dylan Mayoral and Candoco Dance Artist Annie Edwards. Over 150 young people aged between 10-20 have been through ZYC.
ZYC has garnered acclaim for its ambitious productions with exemplary young artists including Groove On Down The Road at Southbank Centre, and performances in the West End show Into the Hoods. Members of the company performed in Nelson Mandela’s 90th Birthday Celebrations (broadcast worldwide) and were invited to perform for the International Olympics Committee at the Royal Opera House during the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony.
ZYC provides a subsidised weekly training company for young artists to develop advanced skills in dance styles influenced by Hip Hop Culture, including Breakin’, House, Groove, Waacking, Krump, and the Funk Styles of Popping and Locking. Many ZYC alumni progress to perform in ZooNation productions.
Prince adds, “The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, which is now playing at the Royal Ballet and Opera has four of the cast members in the show who started in our youth company. Seeing them on stage, now in major roles as professional artists is the best feeling, and I want to continue fostering such amazing growth and opportunities for the next generation of theatre goers and theatre makers”
Preparatory masterclasses and auditions to join ZooNation Youth Company begin this Autumn. For more information and to register your interest in joining ZooNation Youth Company please visit zoonation.co.uk/apply
