Turned On Its Head

Arts Council; Corby; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading performing arts organization in the UK is seeking two dancers for their upcoming show 'Shiny.' The role emphasizes accessibility and representation of audiences from various backgrounds. Successful candidates will engage in the re-working of choreography, involving improvisation and cultural exchange. Offer includes a fee of £800 per week plus travel and accommodations for tours. The candidates should possess experience in contemporary dance and the ability to work with young children.

Qualifications

• Able to enter into improvised dance with very young children through performance.
• Open to all gender expressions and age groups.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate on re-working choreography with guidance from cultural advisers.
• Participate in performances and residency dates.

Skills

Experience of contemporary dance technique/devising processes

Experience of working with young children

Contact improvisation skills and/or experience in dance involving disabled people

Professional dance training/performing experience

Skill in a percussive rhythmic practice e.g. Kathak, Gum Boot, Tap

Job description

Job Summary

We're looking for 2 dancers to join us to re‑work the choreography and imagery of our next show to tour - ‘Shiny’ to better represent, reflect, respect, welcome and value audiences of global majority heritage.

Job Description

Access, inclusion and equity are the heartbeat of our work at Turned On Its Head. During a recent tour of our work https://turnedonitshead.org/the-delights – The Delights we noted that the majority of our audiences were of global majority heritage. We therefore decided to set out, supported by experienced and passionate advisers, to re‑work the choreography and imagery of our next show to tour – ‘Shiny’ to better represent, reflect, respect, welcome and value these audiences.

And one of the key ingredients in this, naturally, will be to offer them performers who look and feel familiar to them.

Though the work already exists in one form we will be re‑visiting its movement, look, sound and props with regular guidance from our advisers, to make the work more recognisable and relevant for our audiences. We imagine that the dancers we work with will also be a pro‑active part of this process actively sharing some of their cultural knowledge and lived experience during devising. This includes meeting and supportive interaction with our advisers, the Culture and Equity Group (CEAG) – who are from a range of global majority heritage backgrounds and share our passion for arts, dance, education, creative parenting and social change.

We want to welcome this cast of ‘Shiny’ into the company as fellow creatives first and foremost yet also with a shared understanding that cultural background and personal experiences are crucial to the new life of this work.

Our commitment is to treat them and our cast with respect, support and courageous listening, rising to the challenge of genuine, committed, long‑term allyship.

Fee & Expenses

Our rates of pay are £800 per full week plus travel, per diems and accommodation are provided when on tour/working away from home. Weeks that are less than 5 days will be worked as a day rate of £160 a day.

Job Requirements

Turned On its Head's unique and highly developed approach needs dancers who can value & be receptive to, the play of very young children, able to enter into improvised dance with them through performance.

We are looking for two dancers any gender expression and age group with:

• Experience of contemporary dance technique/devising processes
• Experience of working with young children
• Contact improvisation skills and/or experience in dance involving disabled people
• Professional dance training/performing experience in shows/projects/works
• Skill in a percussive rhythmic practice e.g. Kathak, Gum Boot, Tap.

Job Responsibilities

Performance/creation dates:

23rd-27th March 2026 1st residency Pen Green, Corby, Northamptonshire
5-10th October 2nd residency Stretford, Manchester
23rd-27th Nov Rehearsals (Manchester)
1st-4th Dec Rehearsals (Manchester)
5th and 6th Dec Performances Wonder Arts (St Helens)
9th Dec Rehearsal (Manchester)
10th Dec Tech and get in Z Arts, Manchester
11th-13th Dec Performances Z Arts
17th-20th Dec Performances Z Arts
22nd-24th Dec Performances Z Arts
5 and 6th Feb 2027 Performances Made With Many, Corby
10th-14th Mar 2027 Performances Polka Theatre, London
17th-21st Mar 2027 Performances Polka Theatre, London
12th-16th Apr 2027 Performances Playground, Kent

Job Overview

• Hours: Full time
• Role: Performer
• Contract: Contract
• Location: England

How to Apply

Turned On Its Head is an LGBTQIA+ friendly organisation and we welcome applications from D/deaf, disabled, neurodivergent dancers and groups of people who have been traditionally under‑represented in the arts.

Please send us:

1. A CV, headshot and show reel showing your performance experience/skills
2. A short statement of 500 words maximum OR video/vimeo/audio link of 5 minutes total (separate from your showreel) telling us about yourself in relation to the essential qualities and skills listed above and answering the following questions:
   • What draws you to this role?
   • What would the 3‑year‑old you liked to have seen in a participatory performance for children?
   • Tell us about the connection you see between our project vision and your cultural heritage/practices? What do you want to share with our audiences?

We exist to create a sense of belonging within high‑quality, radically inclusive dance and theatre opportunities. We engage parents and carers in the process of play and discovery alongside their babies and young children – creating space for connection, communication and delight.