Beyond Ballet®

Beyond Ballet® is a two-year programme with National Youth Ballet that champions emerging talent from different areas of dance and theatre. Artists work with experienced mentors to develop ideas that lead to performances and creative projects.

Beyond Ballet® supports emerging creative artists from all areas of the theatre industry in the early stages of their professional careers. This programme gives them the chance gain invaluable practical skills and experience working alongside industry professionals. Artists also have the chance to create and share their own work and develop their professional network.

Every two years we select a number of emerging choreographers, dance leaders, rehearsal directors and young industry professionals working in lighting design, costume design and stage management aged 18-25 to take part.

“It has been a huge help so far in learning about different roles in the industry, as well as pathways into them. Hands-on experience has been amazing, and something rare in our early careers.”

“I have gained skills in leadership, time management and communication. The networking element has been huge too, meeting and working with people who are hugely inspirational has made me consider how I need to present myself to be employable.”

Photo © Dancers Eye

Jill Tookey, founding Artistic Director of National Youth Ballet, believed passionately in the talent of young creatives and championed them to create work in the very early stages of their careers.

Since 2014, Beyond Ballet® has created opportunities for young and early-career artists to develop their choreographic practice, gain professional experience and collaborate with National Youth Ballet (NYB) and leading artists across the dance sector.

2025 – 2026:

Between 2025 and 2026 we worked with 5 choreographers, 2 costume designers/supervisors, a lighting designer, and rehearsal director. During this time these creatives came together to create a suite of short works which were performed as part of our Echoes of Tomorrow performance in 2026 at Sadler’s Wells, London and in Birmingham. In addition, three of these creatives created a short dance film ‘Chimes of Change’ in collaboration with English Heritage. Chimes of Change was chosen to be presented at Expressions Dance Festival in Leeds and at Homegrown, as part of Brighton Screendance Festival.

2023–2024: Evolving Visions

Between 2023 and 2024, Beyond Ballet®, two choreographers, a lighting designer and costume designer collaborated on original Beyond Ballet® works, which were performed at Sadler’s Wells as part of our Evolving Visions performance.

Alongside this, two choreographers worked with Beyond Ballet® Lighting Designer Ros Chase and Costume Supervisors Elisa Mozzanica and Polly Mitton as part of NYB All In! inclusive ballet programme. Their work was also presented at Sadler’s Wells as part of Evolving Visions.

2023: Building the Beyond Ballet® Network

In 2023, we launched the Beyond Ballet® Network, expanding our support to reach even more young and early-career professionals.

Choreographers joined the wider Network, taking part in online professional skills development activities designed to support their creative and professional development.

As part of this work, Catherine Sleeman, Joeley Gibson, Amy Groves and Hannah George collaborated with English Heritage Shout Out Loud Young Producers to create Beyond The Plaques, a short dance film.

Beyond The Plaques has been nominated for several awards, including at Cinedanza Festival and Miami Light Screendance Festival, and has been selected for festivals including the Dance East Film Festival.

2021–2022: Developing New Choreographic Voices

In 2021/22, Beyond Ballet® artists Bianca Mikahil, Alice O’Brien and Tierney Lawlor worked with NYB. Alice and Bianca created ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ in collaboration with City of Sheffield Youth Orchestra, which was performed by NYB dancers in Sheffield and Tierney went on to create a work in the 2023/24 season as part of Evolving Visions.

Where Are They Now?

Many of our Beyond Ballet® alums go on to do fantastic things. Former Beyond Ballet® artist Arielle Smith, who took part in the programme in 2015/16, has gone on to establish an exciting international choreographic career. In 2024, she co-choreographed The Nutcracker with English National Ballet. Ros Chase, our 2023/24 Lighting Designer is now touring nationally and internationally with ballet companies including Ballet Central, Susan Kempster and Ballet Brilliance Gala. Rosie Mackley (2023/24 choreographer) has recently taken on an Engagement Producer role at Scottish Ballet and Mattia Mollica (2025/26 costume designer/supervisor) has been working as Wardrobe Assistant on Paddington the Musical.

Through opportunities to create, collaborate, learn and connect with industry professionals, Beyond Ballet® continues to nurture the next generation of creative industries talent.