Theatre and Dance NI Dance Intensives
Professional development for dance artists through intensive training, exchange and collaboration.
TDNI’s Dance Intensives are professional development opportunities for dance artists, designed to support creative growth, skills development and artistic exchange through high-quality intensive training experiences.
Delivered annually since 2021, the programme brings together dance artists and sector leaders from across Northern Ireland, the island of Ireland, the UK and beyond, creating space for learning, collaboration and meaningful professional connection.
What is a Dance Intensive?
Our Dance Intensives are curated programmes of professional dance development led by respected choreographers, artists and dance sector partners.
The programme gives participants the chance to deepen artistic practice, work intensively with leading dance artists, explore new creative approaches, and build relationships across the sector.
The Dance Intensive is about creating ambitious, high-quality development opportunities that support the continued growth of the dance sector in Northern Ireland.
What Participants Can Expect
Each Dance Intensive is shaped around the artist or company leading it, meaning every edition offers a different creative experience and point of entry.
Depending on the programme, participants mcan expect:
- Intensive movement-based practice
- Choreographic exploration and creative tasks
- Rehearsal and devising approaches
- Artistic discussion and reflection
- Peer exchange and collaboration
- Opportunities to connect with artists and professionals
The programme supports both skills development and artistic exchange, helping participants expand their practice in a focused and supportive environment.
Who It’s For
Our Dance Intensives are designed for dance artists and movement practitioners at different stages of their professional development.
Depending on the specific opportunity, this may include:
- Emerging dance artists
- Established practitioners
- Choreographers
- Performers
- Interdisciplinary artists working with movement
Each intensive may have its own focus, eligibility criteria or artistic approach, but all are designed to support artists who are committed to developing their practice and engaging deeply with contemporary dance.
Past Intensives
Since 2021, our Dance Intensives have been delivered in collaboration with leading artists and sector partners. These collaborations have created unique opportunities for artists to develop their practice, exchange ideas and engage with high-quality contemporary dance training.
2024 - Intensive with Michael Keegan-Dolan
2023 - Intensive with Oona Doherty
2022 - Intensive with Akram Khan Company
How to Get Involved
Dance Intensive opportunities are offered as part of TDNI’s wider professional development programme.
Specific intensives may be announced at different points throughout the year depending on artist availability, partnerships and programme delivery.
Applications are not always open year-round. Please check our Opportunities page for current calls and upcoming Dance Intensive opportunities.
Please note: Membership must be active for a minimum of six months before becoming
eligible to apply for bursaries and development programmes.