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
The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party
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Performances: 4 - 24 September 2024, The Royal Opera House
Tickets on sale 10th July 2024 (General release)
It’s back! Don’t miss the highly anticipated return of the acclaimed ZooNation production The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party to the Royal Opera House Linbury Theatre this autumn, marking a decade since its original debut.
ZooNation is thrilled to be reviving this ZooNation classic with director Kate Prince at the helm, who reimagines Lewis Carroll’s Wonderland into a Hip Hop infused tea party like no other.
The Queen of Hearts has anger issues, Alice is confused about just how big or small her body actually is. The Mad Hatter, suffering from mercury poisoning, never wants to stop having tea! Ernest has his work cut out for him at his new job. He is tasked to fix people who have been locked away for not being ‘normal’. As he gets closer to his patients, Ernest realises: what’s so great about being ‘normal’ anyway?
This energetic family-friendly production encourages us to embrace our differences and the things that make us who we are. Kate worked with her frequent collaborators Josh Cohen and D.J. Walde to create original music on top of the narrative.
4th – 24th September 2024, Royal Opera House, (London)
*Strictly limited run*
ZooNation announce new residency at North London School
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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.
ZooNation Youth Company presents Kingdom of Nevar
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Performances: 29 June 2024, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Enter the captivating world of Nevar, where ZooNation Youth Company electrify the stage with a dynamic exploration of power, greed and status.
Told through slick and bold Hip Hop styles, ‘Kingdom of Nevar‘ delves deep into the concept of royalty in a modern age under the powerful direction of Chaldon Williams (Traplord, The Exchange). Step into a realm of regality like you’ve never seen before as the battling hierarchy jostle for their futures.
Returning to the Next Generation Festival for the third year, ZooNation Youth Company are the UK’s leading young Hip Hop company from the storytelling powerhouse ZooNation (The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, Message In A Bottle & Some Like It Hip Hop).
Linbury Theatre, Royal Opera House, London
Sat 29th June
Performances at 2:30pm & 7pm
ZooNation win National Dance Award
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We are thrilled to announce that ZooNation has been awarded Best Mid-Scale Company at the National Dance Awards 2024.
The winners were revealed at a ceremony organised by the Dance Section of the Critics’ Circle held on Monday June 3rd at The Coronet Theatre in London.
ZooNation’s Founder and Artistic Director Kate Prince and Executive Producer Sandra Garcia attended. During Kate’s acceptance speech Kate expressed her gratitude saying,
“ZooNation has been going for 22 years this year, thank you to all the producers and houses who have given us opportunities when there weren’t that many. Thank you to Jonzi D for founding Breakin’ Convention… without that, we wouldn’t have been able to get our work on big stages. We’ve had an amazing couple of years… we’ve been in Sydney this year… we’ve just come back from Broadway, and I never thought that would happen. ZooNation now wouldn’t exist without the early dancers… because all our younger dancers are dancing on the coattails of the dancers from 20 years ago, particularly the late great Teneisha Bonner… she was an incredible dancer, she did so much for this art form… I’m so grateful for everything she did… so this is for Teneisha Bonner.”
We’d like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the nominees, including the 311 companies, choreographers, performers, and other creative artists including:
- The Drew McOnie Company, Best Independent Company
- Carlos Acosta, Outstanding Creative Contribution for Black Sabbath The Ballet
- Iain Webb, Artistic Director of The Sarasota Ballet, Outstanding Achievement
- Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Outstanding Company Award
We also want to express our massive appreciation to all the artists, supporters, venues, producers and audiences who have championed our work and mission in the dance sector. Your support has been instrumental in our journey and success. Thank you for celebrating this remarkable achievement with us!
‘Message In A Bottle’ hits UK cinemas
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Performances: 30 May - 6 June 2024, Cinemas nationwide
We are thrilled to announce that the profound and powerful dance production Message In A Bottle lands in UK cinemas today, following an epic 200 show North American tour. This release marks a milestone moment for ZooNation as our very first film shot especially for the big screen.
Produced by Sadler’s Wells and Universal Music, Message In A Bottle is a mesmerising cinematic stage experience set to the iconic music of Sting. The story of family, survival and hope is brought to life by the superhuman talents of ZooNation dancers, offering a unique view of the performance through the eye of the lens.
In 2022 our Founder and Choreographer Kate Prince worked closely with BAFTA-winning screen director Marcus Viner to capture the essence of the stage show using six Arri-LF 4K cameras. This collaboration allowed us to film on a sound stage, providing the ability to capture each element of the show from the best possible angles.
As Kate explains, “I am so excited that ‘Message In A Bottle’ will hit cinemas. Having the opportunity to film on a sound stage gave us the ability to capture each element of the show from the best possible angle, allowing the audience to truly appreciate the agility and athleticism of the dancers and draw them fully into the story.”
Message In A Bottle is being distributed by the Royal Opera House and will be shown in cinemas nationwide for one week. To find your local screening, simply enter your postcode in the screening finder.
Join us for this extraordinary cinematic experience and immerse yourself in the powerful story and incredible performances of ZooNation performers, available to watch in cinemas for one week only.
