Regent’s Park Opens the Stage to Fresh Movers

Some people say that musicals are all about the songs, but let’s be honest: a show without compelling choreography is like a shoe without a heel. You need both style and structure to stand tall. Enter THEATRE DANCE LAB, a freshly minted artist development programme aimed squarely at early-career musical theatre choreographers who are itching to refine their craft and break new ground.

The concept is surprisingly straightforward but thrillingly ambitious. Two promising choreographers will be selected to participate in a two-week paid residency, during which they’ll get to experiment, rehearse, and collaborate with professional dancers. Hosted by Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, this initiative will culminate in an industry showcase, shining a spotlight on emerging talent in front of the very directors, producers, and artistic visionaries who can help turn choreographic dreams into West End realities.

The impetus behind THEATRE DANCE LAB comes from Drew McOnie, the theatre’s artistic director. If the name rings a bell, it should. Drew McOnie has an impressive track record of choreographing and directing smash-hit shows, earning his own share of industry accolades. His fresh approach to movement has transformed works like Jekyll & Hyde (for which he won an Olivier Award) into dynamic, contemporary spectacles that appeal to the digital generation as much as to stalwart theatre-goers. So when a figure of his calibre says he’s keen to nurture the next wave of dance-makers, it’s not just idle chatter; it’s a major endorsement for the potential of young talent in this field.

Opportunity is Not a Lengthy Visitor

Anyone who’s ever tried to break into the theatre world knows it can be more formidable than nailing a triple pirouette on a slippery stage. The pay can be precarious, the competition fierce, and the opportunities for early-career choreographers to truly ‘play’—to test ideas, to fail safely, to hone their voice—are notoriously scarce. That’s precisely what makes THEATRE DANCE LAB stand out.

Not only does the residency come with a stipend (a lifeline for artists who often juggle multiple side jobs to pay the rent), but it also provides mentoring from Drew McOnie and the theatre’s producing team, plus access to external choreographers who’ve navigated the trenches. Throw in a rehearsal space and a cast of professional dancers, and you have a veritable choreographer’s paradise. Most start-ups in the UK flop due to lack of funding and experienced guidance; the theatre world is no different, with countless talented individuals never getting a real chance to develop their craft. THEATRE DANCE LAB addresses both needs—money and mentorship—in one fell swoop.

Moreover, the final industry showcase is where the real magic happens. Casting directors, producers, and theatre executives are always on the lookout for fresh blood—especially in musical theatre, where evolving dance styles keep the art form vibrant. This showcase could very well be the stepping stone that early-career choreographers need to go from local rep productions to headlining the choreographic credits on the West End. Given the theatre’s stellar reputation (did you know Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre pulls in around 140,000 visitors each summer?), the potential for high-profile exposure is immense.

Who Can Apply and How

If you’re reading this and thinking, “Sign me up!”—hang on. The theatre has a few eligibility requirements designed to ensure the opportunity benefits the right individuals. Applicants must not be in formal training at the time of applying, and they should have choreographed no more than three professional regional productions, with none in a SOLT (Society of London Theatre) venue. This ensures truly emerging artists get their shot in the spotlight without jostling for space against established veterans.

Applications are open now, with a firm deadline of 16 April 2025 at 12pm, so no time for procrastination. After the initial selection, successful applicants will be called in for an interview on 12 and 13 May 2025. If all goes well, they’ll need to keep their schedules clear from 8 September to 19 September 2025, and be available for mentoring sessions throughout the year. A commitment, yes, but one that could ultimately set the stage (literally) for a career in musical theatre choreography.

It’s worth mentioning the generosity of The Dorfman Foundation and the Garrick Charitable Trust in making this programme possible. While most theatre enthusiasts focus on star performers and big-ticket openings, philanthropic organisations like these often work behind the scenes, ensuring emerging talent has the resources to grow. It’s a detail we don’t hear about often enough, but it’s the backbone of countless cultural initiatives that keep the arts world thriving.

The Season’s Other Delights: SHUCKED And BRIGADOON

Of course, while THEATRE DANCE LAB might be the hottest development behind the scenes, the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s new season includes some high-profile productions that promise to dazzle audiences in their own right. If you haven’t heard about SHUCKED yet, prepare for a sweetly irreverent musical comedy that’s been turning heads and making headlines abroad. Its whimsical storyline, centred on a small town with big corn problems (yes, corn), has garnered a cult following for its upbeat numbers and off-beat humour.

Then there’s BRIGADOON—a show many of us might recall from the first time we heard Almost Like Being in Love. This Lerner and Loewe classic is a heart-warming tale set in a mythical Scottish village that appears once every hundred years. But expect the creative team at Regent’s Park to lend it a fresh perspective, possibly blending the old-time romance with modern sensibilities. After all, this is the theatre that breathed new life into classics like Carousel and Jesus Christ Superstar, turning them into experiences that felt both nostalgic and innovative.

The synergy between new productions and new talent is no coincidence. Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre has always had one foot firmly in tradition and the other in forward-thinking innovation. Just last year, they reported their highest audience engagement in half a decade, testament to a successful programming strategy that balances revered staples with boundary-pushing works. THEATRE DANCE LAB fits neatly into that ethos—honouring what’s come before while passionately championing what’s on the horizon.

Behind-The-Scenes

You might wonder what the process of choreographing an open-air production actually entails. Dance at Regent’s Park isn’t just about steps and timing; it’s about calibrating movement to complement the natural environment. A sudden gust of wind can become a dramatic accent in a big group number, while changing light—as day turns to dusk—can influence how choreographers stage their formations. Drew McOnie has often spoken about “letting the space breathe,” emphasising how an outdoor venue can enhance and challenge choreography in ways a traditional theatre cannot. Those two budding choreographers chosen for THEATRE DANCE LAB will quickly learn that they’re not just working with a stage, but rather an entire living, breathing ecosystem. That’s where real creative magic lies.

Picture this: a soft twilight hue descends upon the set, actors converge from multiple directions, and the audience can literally feel the wind shift against the dancers’ costumes during the climactic moment of a number. It’s an experience no indoor theatre can fully replicate. Mastering that interplay between environment and movement is a unique craft—one that can take a promising choreographer’s portfolio from ordinary to transcendent.

As musicals continue to rake in billions worldwide and with London’s theatre scene welcoming millions of audience members each year, there’s an ever-growing hunger for fresh visions and new interpretive voices. THEATRE DANCE LAB is more than a footnote in the next season’s brochure; it’s a transformative platform that could set the course of musical theatre choreography for the next decade. And whether you’re an avid fan following the swirl of the next big dance trend, or a budding choreographer eager to seize this opportunity, one thing’s certain: Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is the place to be in 2025.

So dust off those dancing shoes or simply mark your calendar for a season that promises to be as refreshing as a stroll through the park itself. After all, it’s not every day that a revered venue throws open its doors—and its stage—to foster the future of British theatre. And when the spotlight turns on those two lucky recipients of THEATRE DANCE LAB, they won’t just be performing under the stars; they’ll be reaching for them. If you’ve ever felt the electricity of Regent’s Park beneath your feet, you’ll know exactly what’s at stake. And if you haven’t yet, well—you’re about to find out.