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What's on at ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company - upcoming training opportunities, productions, performances, news and announcements

New show announcement | ZooNation give Dickens’ classic a hip hop makeover

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

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Practical Online CPD Event: Introduction to the fundamental Hip-Hop Techniques and Message In A Bottle Repertoire

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

Book now

Twilight CPD Event: Introduction to themes, creation and roles & responsibilities of The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party with Bradley Charles and Rachel Howes

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)

Book Now

ZooNation Youth Company announce New Artistic Leadership and Talent Search

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 ZooNations 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 Mandelas 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 Hatters 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 

Find out more and apply

ZooNation announce new residency at North London School

We’re thrilled to announce our new residency at Robert Blair Primary School in Islington, to coincide with our ongoing creative residency at Sadler’s Wells Theatre. This unique partnership aims to enrich students’ experiences in the performing arts while providing ZooNation with an inspiring office and rehearsal space in the school’s grand Victorian building.

ZooNation’s Founder and Artistic Director Kate Prince expressed her enthusiasm:
“It feels incredibly fitting for ZooNation, a company created to provide young people with genuinely accessible theatre experiences, to find a residency that aligns so closely with our mission and values. Being around young people is truly inspiring, from hearing them play outside our window to gaining insights into the educational community. This move is an exciting new chapter for ZooNation, especially as we begin to collaborate with the brilliant team here at Robert Blair. It’s a win-win.”

The creative collaboration is already underway. ZooNation’s Associate Artistic Director Dannielle Rhimes Lecointe is currently working with Year 6 students on a new promenade performance. This piece involving 25 Robert Blair pupils, explores their experiences and memories of the school as they prepare to graduate this summer. The performance will be showcased to friends and family at the end of the summer term.

Robert Blair Primary School’s headteacher Michelle Bahn, shared her commitment to the partnership and the schools vision and aspirations for our work together. “We continue to explore further ways of enriching our arts centre curriculum and share skills across the arts and education sector. It is stimulating to see our work together enhancing the quality of provision, building on economic capacity and exposing children and young adults to opportunities within the world of work. Having experienced artists growing young talent and working creatively, developing and showcase work with and centred around pupil voice is inspiring. We are particularly thrilled to have ZooNation based here with their extensive knowledge in the creative industries.”

In addition to the summer term project, ZooNation plan to offer a variety of training opportunities and professional development events, as well as develop new touring theatre in education ideas with the school.