Story so far

Story So Far

NYB All In! began in collaboration with Parable Dance and South East Dance. Combining Parable Dance’s wealth of knowledge in inclusion with NYBs extensive knowledge of ballet, it was initially designed to look at how ballet could be taught and choreographed in a more inclusive way for disabled dancers.

What started as a teacher training and professional skills development opportunity, very quickly morphed into a performance project, as we realised through listening that many young disabled dancers were lacking challenging ballet opportunities.

In the summer of 2023 we gathered a group of disabled and non-disabled dancers together at South East Dance to form the first NYB All In! Performance Company. We created a new work inspired by Romeo and Juliet, which we performed at The Dance Space.

Since then our NYB All In! Performance Companies from Brighton and Birmingham have performed at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, have created a dance film in collaboration with English Heritage at Kenilworth Castle and have appeared as part of the Next Generation festival at Royal Ballet and Opera in a work choreographed by NYB ambassador Joe Powell-Main. In 2026 our NYB All In! Performance Company will once again be performing at Sadler’s Wells!

This year, for the first time, we auditioned d/Deaf, disabled, neurodivergent and non-disabled dancers to take part in the NYB All In! Performance Company. This process was developed to be accessible for all, whilst also giving dancers the chance to experience the rigour and challenge of an audition process. You will see the NYB All In! Performance Company perform as part of Echoes of Tomorrow.

NYB All In! has highlighted the serious lack of traditional progression routes into the industry for young disabled dancers and leaders, as well as the lack of disabled representation within the industry. So in 2024, we launched NYB All In! Young Leaders, supporting the next generation of d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent dancers to become the leaders of the future.

Our Young Leaders teach ballet classes in Brighton and next year we hope to build on the leadership skills of the dancers we have worked with in Birmingham, creating a legacy for the 2026 NYB All In! project. Former NYB All In! dancer and Young Leader Grace Thompson is one of our 2025/26 Beyond Ballet® choreographers, taking her leadership skills to the next level.

This year we partnered with Kate Stanforth Dance to deliver a joyful online ballet experience for dancers who are unable to leave their homes. We regularly collaborate with Parable Dance and continue to work alongside national dance organisations such as South East Dance, People Dancing, FABRIC, Dance Leaders Group and Birmingham Royal Ballet. We are pleased to be a part of Stopgap’s ABC Collective.