How do I become a dancer in Riverdance?

Applicants must be at least 16 years of age and at championship level in Irish Dancing, preferably having recalled and/or placed at world level.
We accept both Coimisiun and Comdhail dancers.

There are two routes to to be considered for an audition for the show:

1. Audition – Complete the online audition application form CLICK HERE
2. Riverdance Summer School – Apply to take part in the summer school: CLICK HERE

1.  Audition
To complete your online application the following will be required:
a. A fully completed online application form.  Don’t leave any section blank.
b. A recent headshot, full-length photograph and scan of passport ID page.
c. Video footage of the following:

Male:
Hard shoe – Treble Jig or Hornpipe (32 bars at least, no more than 48)
Soft shoe – Reel (32 bars at least, no more than 48)

Female:
Hard shoe – Treble Jig or Hornpipe (32 bars at least, no more than 48)
Soft shoe – Reel or Slip Jig (32 bars at least, no more than 48)

Additionally, if there is a piece from a professional Irish dance show that you would like to add, then please feel free to do so.

Please Note: Such a piece does not necessarily increase the applicant’s chances of success.

A few tips for your recording:
• The camera work should be simple.
• Get someone who is good with cameras and has got a steady hand to shoot the footage.
• The entire dancer should be in view at all times.
• Make sure that both the rhythm of the feet and also the music can be heard, and that one does not drown out the other.
• Use of a digital (stills) camera that has the ability to capture small amounts of video, should be avoided as the number of frames per second are too few to accurately assess the dance.

How to submit your Video Footage:
Upload your video footage to YouTube and include the YouTube link/URL in your application form. Instructions on how to do this are listed below. PLEASE SET YOUR VIDEO FOOTAGE AS UNLISTED.

1. Sign into your YouTube Account or set up an account at Youtube.com
2. Once your account is set up and you are signed in, Click the Upload link at the top of any YouTube page.
3. Click the Upload video button to browse for the video file you’d like to upload. Select the file you want to upload and click Open.
4. As the video file is uploading scroll down to the Broadcasting and Sharing Options and find the Privacy section.
5. You’ll see the option to make the video Public, Unlisted, or Private. SELECT UNLISTED
6. Enter your name as the name of the video.
7. Make sure to click the Save Changes button at the bottom of the page
8. Once the upload is complete copy the video’s URL into your application form.

Please Note: By setting your video to unlisted only people who know the link/URL of the video can view it. An unlisted video will not appear in any of YouTube’s public spaces such as search results, your channel, or the Browse page so your privacy will be protected.
Your video footage may not be reviewed for up to 6 or 8 months after you have sent in your application. Please do not remove it from YouTube without contacting us as we will not be able to review your application if you do so.

How do I apply for a singing / musician part in Riverdance?

Singers should submit their CV/resume along with a photograph and audio and if possible, a video recording. All singers should indicate their vocal range on the CV.
For the audio recording females should perform Cloudsong from Riverdance and a second song in a similar style, for example She Moved through the Fair.
Males should perform Lift the Wings, Heal their Hearts/Freedom from Riverdance and a second song that demonstrates their vocal range. All recordings must have some form of accompaniment, for example keyboard, harp or guitar. The video recording should feature the singer performing one of the above Riverdance songs.
Musicians should include a CV/resume, photograph, video and audio recording.

Please submit all applications to:
Music Department Supervisor, Abhann Productions, 133 Capel Street, Dublin 1, Ireland
Email queries to info@riverdance.com