What is a Curtain Raiser?
Our Curtain Raiser programme provides talented young dancers with the opportunity to audition, rehearse and choreograph with professional dance companies. Over a number of weeks, the young dancers work towards performing a brand-new piece on one of our stages ahead of a professional performance in front of a live audience.
Young people gain insight into what it’s like to work with professional companies and choreographers, as well as providing opportunities to connect with other like-minded young dancers from across the region.
In recent years, we have presented Curtain Raiser programmes with Birmingham Royal Ballet, Matthew Bourne’s New Adventure, Motionhouse, Zoonation and Ailey 2.
Curtain Raiser Circle
We are grateful to the following donors and grant-makers for their generous support of the Curtain Raiser programme:
Angelina Adamo • Kirsty Davies-Chinnock • Deborah Horton • Lynne Myers • Katie Newbon • The Oakley Charitable Trust • Julie Philips • Anonymous Donors
Thank you for helping to bring to life exceptional dance opportunities for talented young local dancers.
Recent Projects
Curtain Raiser at Hidden in partnership with Motionhouse
Sep 2025
A cast of 16 young people took to the stage to perform a Curtain Raiser performance ahead of Motionhouse’s latest thrilling dance-circus production, Hidden.
50 young people in our Hippodrome Education Network (HEN) and wider college outreach auditioned for the Curtain Raiser at the Hippodrome. Taking part in a 90-minute workshop-style audition, dancers showcased their skills and talent through a series of repertoire, choreographic tasks and team building exercises before the final company was selected by Motionhouse’s Creative Learning Team, Harrison Yafai and Hannah Marshall.
Over the course of a week, the young company spent two days learning choreography led by Harrison, whilst also implementing the young dancers’ own ideas and choreography into the piece. Working in alternating small groups, the company were able to choreograph their own work using ideas from skills class or a prescribed element or theme, such as a lift or jump. Then working with Associate Director, Daniel Massarella, two days were spent cleaning and polishing the five-minute piece ready for the performance on the main stage.
Much like Motionhouse’s style, the piece had moments of strong group choreography that broke out into smaller groups, creating a concoction of contrasting movement and patterns. There were lifts and tricks throughout the piece, showcasing the talent of the next generation of performers.
The Curtain Raiser was met with rapturous applause and cheers, providing a goosebumps moment for both audience members and young performers.
Find out more
Participants
To find out more about future auditions, please email at the link below:
Supporters
To find out more about the Curtain Raiser programme or to make a donation and become a member of our Curtain Raiser Circle, please call Rachel Bromfield on 0121 689 3071 or email us at the link below.