Ballet Futures

Ballet Futures Experience Day 2025 © Roswitha Chesher

Towards a more diverse and inclusive future in classical dance.

Ballet Futures is English National Ballet’s talent development programme for young dancers aged 8+ from African Diaspora, Caribbean, South Asian and South-East Asian backgrounds.

The programme exists to address the underrepresentation of these communities within classical ballet by providing talented young dancers with access to opportunities, experiences and support that help them realise their potential.

Through workshops, mentoring, performance opportunities professional insights and support networks, Ballet Futures equips dancers with the skills, confidence and knowledge needed to pursue advanced training and future careers in dance.

More than a talent development programme, Ballet Futures is a community where young artists can develop their artistry, build lasting connections and feel a genuine sense of belonging within the ballet world.

Why Ballet Futures Matters

Despite progress across the arts, dancers from African Diaspora, Caribbean, South Asian and South-East Asian backgrounds remain significantly underrepresented within professional ballet.

Many talented young dancers continue to face cultural, social and financial barriers that can limit access to opportunities and progression pathways.

Ballet Futures seeks to address these challenges by:

Creating meaningful opportunities for talented young dancers
Offering experiences that support artistic and personal development
Providing targeted support at key stages of a dancer’s journey
Building confidence, aspiration and a sense of belonging
Championing a more representative future for ballet

Our vision is a ballet sector where every young dancer can see themselves reflected on stage and feel empowered to pursue their ambitions.

“It is imperative that we enable and support the underrepresented youth of today by providing training and opportunities, combined with being holistically nurtured, enabling them to flourish and fly”

Sarah Kundi, former First Artist and previously a founding member of the Ballet Futures Leadership Team

Our Impact Since 2022

Supported 35 young talented dancers

Achieved a 90% graduate progression rate into full time vocational ballet training

Provided mentoring, professional development and enrichment opportunities

Created a growing network of dancers and alumni

Received overwhelmingly positive feedback from families, highlighting increased confidence, motivation and a stronger sense of belonging

What Ballet Futures Offers

Participants have access to a range of enrichment opportunities designed to support their artistic development and broaden their understanding of the professional dance industry.

These include:

Professional Development

Mentoring and professional insight sessions
Audition preparation and toolkit days
Creative workshops with leading artists and practitioners
Guidance on progression pathways into vocational training

Experiences and Opportunities

Experience Days at English National Ballet’s Mulryan Centre for Dance
Intensive workshop weekends
Theatre visits and opportunities to observe company class
Nutcracker audition and performance opportunities
Opportunities to engage with English National Ballet artists and staff
Additional projects and professional opportunities as they arise

Financial Support

Means-tested bursaries are available to help ensure financial circumstances do not become a barrier to participation.

Ballet Futures: auditions

Our next auditions will be for the 2027/28 cohort and will take place in June 2027.

Further information about the next audition process will be published in March 2027.

To receive updates about Ballet Futures and future audition opportunities, sign up to our Youth Dance mailing list.

Our commitment

Ballet Futures is part of English National Ballet’s long-term commitment to inclusion, artistic excellence and broadening access to ballet.

By nurturing talent, creating opportunities and fostering a strong sense of community, Ballet Futures is helping to shape a more diverse and representative future for classical dance.