FRESH 2025 Date: Saturday 19 April 2025

Venue: Bradford venues including Bradford Alhambra

Written application form deadline: Monday 16 December 2024 (Applications received after the application deadline will not be considered for FRESH 2025.)

Film footage deadline: Friday 31 January 2025

Frequently asked questions

1. Who can apply for FRESH 2025? 

FRESH 2025 is open to everyone! This includes schools, community-based youth dance groups, individuals and youth companies aged 11-19 (or aged 11-25 for dancers with additional needs or a disability).

We welcome solos, duets, trios and group pieces in all genres and styles – anything goes!  

We warmly welcome applications from youth dance groups working with young disabled dancers (up to the age of 25).  FRESH and U.Dance aim to be inclusive and accessible. Please talk to us if you have any questions or concerns about access for your group.

2. We applied before and didn’t get selected. Is it worth applying again?

Absolutely! Every year we work with a different panel who make decisions based on the selection criteria and ensure there is a range of dance styles, themes and music within the pieces selected.

3. Can we submit more than one piece for FRESH 2025? 

There is no limit to the number of pieces you can submit. However, we will select a maximum of 1 digital piece and 1 live piece to be shown in FRESH per group/school/organisation. 

4. Do we have to submit an original piece? 

Yes, all submissions for FRESH 2025 must be recent, original works that haven’t been widely performed yet.

5. How long should pieces be for FRESH 2025? 

The maximum length for a piece is 7 minutes. We strongly encourage you to submit work which is shorter than 7 minutes. 

6. How many young people can perform in each piece?  

Up to 20 people. Please get in touch with Tammy on 0113 243 8765 if this is a problem. 

7. How can we apply for FRESH 2025? 

There are two ways to apply. Either complete our online application form. Download and complete the Word application form and email your completed form to TammyTsang@YorkshireDance.com or post to Tammy Tsang, Yorkshire Dance, 3 St Peter’s Buildings, St Peter’s Square, Leeds, LS9 8AH

The deadline to apply is Monday 16 December 2024. 

After submitting your form, please either provide film footage of your piece. You can do this by:

• Email a URL link (e.g YouTube link or Vimeo link) to tammytsang@yorkshiredance.com 

• Sending an MP4 via We Transfer (www.wetransfer.com) to tammytsang@yorkshiredance.com

• Posting a DVD (Please make sure that your DVD plays before sending). 

Or if you are performing at a showcase in Hull, Scunthorpe, Barnsley or at the Everybody Dance Festival in York we will watch your work live.

8. What are the sub-regional platforms and how can we perform at one?

The FRESH sub-regional platforms are run and delivered by our partners based in South Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, Hull and East Riding and North Lincolnshire. They offer youth dance groups the opportunity to perform in their local area. There are limited spaces available at the sub-regional platforms, so local groups are prioritised. If you wish to perform your FRESH application piece at a sub-regional platform, please indicate this on your application form and we will get in touch. The Everybody Dance festival in York has already allocated all performance places.

9. How will I know if you have received our application? 

We will send an email confirmation to confirm receipt. If you have not received a confirmation within 3 working days, please contact us on 0113 243 8765 or email tammytsang@yorkshiredance.com to double check.

10. Who decides which groups get selected?

Every year Yorkshire Dance bring together a panel of dance industry experts to make the difficult decisions and select groups to perform in FRESH. The panel includes experts in different dance styles and a youth ambassador. The panel carefully consider every application and make selections based on the following selection criteria:

1. Excellence in performance.
2. Original, excellent and engaging choreography.
3. Dancers taking clear ownership of the choreography, which is appropriate for their age and experience.

11. Can we apply if I don’t have a Chaperone Licence?

Yes, you can apply for FRESH if you don’t already have a Chaperone Licence, but you MUST send proof that you have begun the Licence application process with your FRESH application form. The process of getting a Chaperone License can take over 3 months, and even longer in most cases, so it’s important you begin the application process now. Local Authority regulations state that all performers age 16 and under MUST be supervised by Local Authority licensed chaperones. We cannot consider your group’s application without proof of a Chaperone Licence or Licence application.

The only exception is school teachers. If you are a school teacher you must send confirmation that you are running the trip as an official school trip.

You can apply for your Chaperone Licence by contacting your local council – this will be based on your home address.

If you have any questions about Chaperone Licensing, please don’t hesitate to contact us and we will do our best to support you.

 12. My group only has DVD footage of our piece! Can we still apply? 

Yes. We prefer a URL link or a video file sent by WeTransfer, but we do accept DVD footage. Please send DVD footage to Yorkshire Dance’s postal address to arrive before Friday 31 January 2025. 

13. When will I know the outcome of our application? 

We will inform all applicants of the outcome of their application by Friday 14 February 2025.    

14. When will technical rehearsals for FRESH 2025 take place? 

Technical rehearsals for live performances take place throughout the day on Saturday 19 April 2025. All selected groups must attend the full day of FRESH.

15. What is U.Dance and how can we apply?

The largest event of its kind, the U.Dance National Festival is a celebration of youth dance every summer. Dance groups from around the UK perform on professional stages, take part in workshops with leading dance professionals, and are offered inspiring dance careers information. FRESH is the U.Dance Regional platform for Yorkshire. Each year one group that performs in FRESH is selected to perform at U.Dance. If you would like to be considered for U.Dance please let us know in your FRESH application form. The U.Dance National Festival 2025 takes place on 25-27 July 2025 at Sadler’s Wells in London.

16. Who should I contact if I have a query about our application? 

Please contact Tammy Tsang on 0113 243 8765 or email TammyTsang@yorkshiredance.com 

Please call us if you have a question or would like to discuss your application. We want to hear from you, and we are here to support you in any way that we can.  Good luck!