Step Up Participants 2025
Dance Limerick and the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance are delighted to present the 15th edition of Step Up Dance Project
About Step Up Dance Project
Step Up Dance Project is a programme of professional development for early-career dance professionals in partnership between the Arts Council of Ireland, Dance Limerick, the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick and Dance Ireland. The programme is dedicated to the professional development of recent Irish or Ireland-based dance graduates and early-career dance professionals, showcasing the next generation of dance talent that will invigorate Ireland’s dance ecology for years to come.
This year, Step Up celebrates its 15th edition in 2025 with an extended 8-week programme that will include six weeks of training and choreographic process with Philip Connaughton at Dance Limerick and the Irish World Academy, as well as two full additional weeks in the Moving in Collaboration International Intensive with Luail – Ireland’s National Dance Company.
Since its inception in 2011, Step Up has been instrumental in bridging the gap between dance education and professional contemporary dance practice. To date, over 80 dancers have benefited from the programme, building vital networks and gaining the experience necessary to sustain a professional career in dance. Step Up has become a touchstone for the development of skilled dance artists that wish to contribute to the growing dance ecology in Ireland and to help affirm the place of dance in the country’s cultural, social and political life.
About this year’s edition
Following a competitive open call last year, five talented dance artists were selected to take part in this year’s edition. Alice Gavigan, Sophie Gray, Ciara Hannon, Luke Maziarek and Catriona O’Connor are spending the summer in Limerick, working with choreographer Philip Connaughton towards the creation of a new dance piece to be premiered in late July at Dance Limerick.
Curator Fearghus Ó Conchúir leads the artistic vision of the project for the fourth and last year. Following his and co-curator Mary Wycherley’s guidance, the participants and artists involved reflect a variety of dance genres and approaches that is representative of the ever-evolving contemporary scene in Ireland.
Step Up alumni, dance artist Lucia Kickham takes on the role of rehearsal director for the fourth consecutive year. Together with a group of some of some of the most renowned artists in the country, she will lead an intensive training programme that focuses on developing performance skills and exploring each dancer’s individual voices.
For more information on final performances, stay tuned at dancelimerick.ie or follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @dancelimerick
STEP UP DANCE PROJECT 2025 9 June – 2 August 2025
Dance Limerick, John’s Square, V94 E6H2
More information at www.dancelimerick.ie Join our mailing list here: https://mailchi.mp/d1c7a52d4436/join-our-mailing-list.