We actively recruit students aged 11 to 16, however the training continues and is available to you up until you’re 18.

Not necessarily. We’re looking for potential. However, we do want to see if you can demonstrate the creativity, dedication and enthusiasm to pursue a career in dance.

CAT is designed to fit around your schoolwork.

You will need to attend:

• Sessions on Saturdays 10.30am till 4.30pm
• Intensive sessions that take place during school holidays and some weekends.

Our schedules work around school calendars to ensure we don’t interrupt time dedicated to school work.

You may want to continue with a range of other activities, including other dance styles. Please note to be on the programme it is expected you attend all the classes and additional activities on the scheme, so please consider how you manage your time.

We do monitor the number of hours of physical activity our students do each week as part of their Individual Training Plan. However, the number of dance classes you want to do each week is a decision you need to make with your parents/guardians and your CAT mentor.

The scheme will give you information and training so you can decide if a career in dance is for you.

If you don’t think you could commit the time and effort it takes to be a CAT student, then this may not be the right course for you. But don’t stop dancing.

This is just one of many pathways into a career in dance, and we’ll happily help you to find other opportunities to get involved in other youth dance projects.

All activities on the CAT programme.

• Regular classes
• Intensive weekends and holiday courses
• Theatre trips
• Performance opportunities and
• Remedial care support (physio etc)

More information can be found here or on the government Music and Dance Scheme website here.

If you qualify for some or no funding and have to pay fees for the scheme, these can be either paid upfront or spread out throughout the year in 3 termly instalments or 10 monthly payments.

CAT is a national scheme under the Department of Education.

This means that places can be fully or partially funded depending on household income.

The audition will consist of practical dance sessions containing a creative workshop and a contemporary technique class.

The sessions are observed by a small panel of professionals.

Some people may be asked to stay for an interview following the practical sessions.

You can apply to audition again the following year. In certain circumstances, we may decide that you have potential but are not yet ready for the course.  If this is the case we’ll advise you on a one-to-one basis.

You’ll be assessed continually throughout your time on the course and we hope to be able to support you right through to the point that you go on to further vocational training.

However, if you and/or the course leaders decide that the programme is no longer right for you, you’ll be positively supported off the course and directed to other progression routes.

Places are offered on a yearly basis and if you chose to leave at the end of the current year you’ll receive documentation to say you have participated in the course.

East Midlands
Most of the Contemporary East Midlands activity takes place at iC4C, which is located just outside the city centre.

West Midlands
Most of the Contemporary West Midlands activity takes place at Level 5, in the Birmingham Hippodrome.

We have students travelling from all across the East and West Midlands, either on public transport or via car –  many of them share lifts with other students coming from their area. Travel bursaries are available to help with the cost of your travel to CAT activities.

The CAT Team is available to help you as much as possible with any questions regarding the scheme and are happy to help you fill out the application form.

Please call us on 0115 924 2016 or email catadmin@fabric.dance

At the start of the academic year there will be an induction session, that includes an information session for parents/carers to attend.

On the regular CAT training days, students work in groups and take technique classes in a variety of styles. They work with visiting professional artists and explore creative practices with those visiting professional artists. There are regular breaks and also time for tutorials to support individual training plans.

“My advice for those at the start of their training would be ;be open to new experiences and ways of working! Stay true to your originality as an artist and try not to be too critical of yourself, diversity is what makes our profession so great.”

CAT Alumni, Ruben

“I love the variety at CAT. I think the variation really helps me experience so much as a dancer. I love seeing the people I dance with every week; taking classes with them as you get to see and help each other improve along the way.”

CAT Alumni, Jamaica

“I would just say do it! Even if you’re unsure if dancing is what you want to do, CAT is a good place to help discover that within yourself because you have so many brand-new experiences and opportunities. You meet so many people that by the end of it all, you’re equipped with enough knowledge (and people to talk to) to confidently make your decision, whatever it may be.”

CAT Alumni, Charlotte