Join our Community Cast and be part of a spectacular celebration of our incredible district and the people who live here.

Bradford 2025 is looking for 80 Bradfordians aged 5 and upwards to take part in an epic large-scale outdoor event, taking place this December.

Have you ever attended a live performance and thought ‘I wish I was in that’?  This is your chance to be part of something really special.

No prior experience is needed, just a willingness to join in and be part of a large intergenerational cast live on stage.

Leading up to the performance, you will take part in fun weekly rehearsals learning movement and performance, led by a professional team of directors and choreographers. You will learn new skills and meet new people from across the district.

Sign up for a Community Cast recruitment session before 3 September 2025.

Please read the Frequently Asked Questions below for more information and to make sure that you are available for the rehearsals and show dates.

Any further questions, please email [email protected] and we will respond as soon as possible.

On this page:

Sign up for a Community Cast recruitment session

Not sure? Sign up for a Give It A Go! session

Read the Frequently Asked Questions

Community Cast recruitment sessions

The Community Cast will be recruited through workshops on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 September at Victoria Hall in Saltaire.

In these 1.5-hour sessions you will take part in a drama and dance workshop, you’ll meet the creative team, and we’ll share lots more information with you about the rehearsals and the performance.

The sessions are open to people aged 5 and upwards living in Bradford District. Complete the sign-up form to secure your spot at one of the Community Cast Recruitment Sessions. The form should take a maximum of 15 minutes to complete.

The deadline to apply for a Community Cast recruitment session is Wednesday 3 September 2025. Please note places are limited and we may close applications before the deadline.

Please ensure that you read the Frequently Asked Questions below, before starting your application.

If you require assistance to complete the form, or would like to complete it in a different format please contact Alfie Heffer on [email protected] or call 07701218707.

Sign up for a Recruitment Session (opens in new tab)
Participants in a movement workshop raise their hands in the air. A person raising their hands in the air in a movement workshop.
Community Cast recruitment sessions - dates, times and how to get there:

Victoria Hall
Victoria Road
Saltaire
Shipley
BD18 3JS

Friday 5 September:

  • Session 1: 5.30pm – 7pm
  • Session 2: 7.15pm – 8.45pm

Saturday 6 September:

  • Session 1: 11am – 12.30pm
  • Session 2: 1.30pm – 3pm
  • Session 3: 3.15pm – 4.45pm

Are you interested, but not sure yet?

Join a Give It A Go! session

Are you interested in taking part, but want test it out and learn more before you sign up? Come to one of our Give It A Go! sessions. These sessions will take place on 23, 27, 28 and 30 August in venues across Bradford District – see more information below.

Give it a Go! sessions give you a chance to experience what being part of the Community Cast will be like before you decide to sign-up to take part in a Community Cast recruitment session.

These free workshops will be fun sessions of playful performance and dance activities. No previous performance experience necessary. This is a great opportunity to be creative, to meet new people and connect with this exciting event.

The sessions are open to everyone aged 5 and above, living in Bradford District. Parents or responsible adults are asked to attend the session as it is important to understand the activity their child or person they support is potentially signing up for. They do not have to participate in the workshops, but will have to understand the details of rehearsals and performances. For more information, please read our Frequently Asked Questions below.

Complete this short form to secure your spot. The form will take a maximum of 5 minute to complete.

If you require assistance to complete the form, or would like to complete it in a different format please contact Alfie Heffer on [email protected] or call 07701218707.

Sign up for a Give It A Go! session (opens in new tab)
A group of performers in a dance rehearsal. Three performers in a rehearsal. A dancer on the left kneeling. A woman speaking in the centre. And a dancer in a wheelchair on the right.
Give It A Go! sessions - dates, times and how to get there:

Saturday 23 August, 10am – 12pm
Lower Grange Community Centre
10 Chaffinch Rd
Bradford
BD8 0RF

Wednesday 27 August, 6pm – 8pm
TFD Centre
Holme Wood
Bradford
BD4 0BH

Thursday 28 August, 6pm – 8pm
Loading Bay
1 Duke Street
Bradford
BD1 3QR

Saturday 30 August, 10am – 12pm
Bingley Arts Centre
Main St
Bingley
BD16 2LZ

Saturday 30 August, 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Highfield Centre
21 Drewry Rd
Keighley
BD21 2QG

Frequently asked questions

Please read the FAQs carefully, they contain all of the information you will need about the project before signing up.

Got another question that’s not answered here? Get in touch with us on [email protected].

What is this project?  

It’s top secret for now – but you can find out more at the Give It a Go! Sessions in August. We’ll be sharing more information in early September.  What we can say, is that this is a unique opportunity for you to be part of something special and to celebrate Bradford in a spectacular outdoor performance.

By being part of our Community Cast you will have fun, challenge yourself, learn new skills, make memories and meet people of all ages from across the District.

Who can apply? 

This callout for community cast members is for anyone aged 5 and over. We’re looking to put together an amazing cast that truly represents Bradford in every way – we’re hoping to bring together people from every generation, every post code, every corner of life lived in our district! You can even apply with your family or friends.

Participants must be 5 years or older by 5 September 2025

This opportunity is for people who live in the Bradford District. That means if you live in postcodes BD1 – BD22 & LS29, you can apply for this opportunity.

Who is this opportunity for? 

We are looking for people who enjoy moving and dancing and want to be part of this special performance. You don’t need any previous experience of performing to take part, just a willingness to join in. The event will be outdoors during December, so if you love to move and would be comfortable performing outdoors, we’d love to meet you.

I’ve never done anything like this before - do I need any previous experience? 

No experience needed. If you want to be involved, we want to hear from you!

I have, or am supporting someone with, a disability. Can we take part in this opportunity?

Absolutely. We will adapt the movements and activities to suit different abilities and body types. Our way of working will be fully inclusive and accessible to everyone. If you need a support worker, access assistant or any other support to join, please let us know in as much detail as possible and we will do all we can to support you to access this opportunity.

If you would like to discuss your access requirements with us beforehand, please contact Alfie Heffer on [email protected] or 07701218707.

How many people are you looking for? 

We are looking for 80 individuals to make up our Community Cast.

How will you choose participants? 

We’re looking to put together an amazing community cast that truly represents Bradford in every way. We are looking for a mix of younger and older performers from a wide range of backgrounds, identities and lived experiences. We are hoping to put together a community cast that will truly reflect the people of Bradford District.

We will also be recruiting people based on their availability to commit to rehearsals, and on their suitability for the roles within the performance.

What if I can’t do all the dates? 

We want the show to be a brilliant as possible, and we want rehearsals to be as enjoyable as possible for everyone. It is therefore important that everyone commits to attending all rehearsals so that everyone can rehearse properly together.

We encourage you to still apply if you are available for most of the rehearsals, but we will prioritise people who can attend more of the outlined core rehearsal dates. We may be able to accommodate one or two clashes, but these must be agreed in advance.

Unfortunately, if you are not available for the technical, dress rehearsals and performances (15 – 21 December 2025) you will not be able to take part in this opportunity.

Will my child have to miss school to participate in this activity?

No, all rehearsals are out of school hours. Your child will not miss any school to participate in this activity.

Will I be paid? 

This is an unpaid opportunity, you will receive no remunerations for your time within this project. There is no cost to be involved in this activity.

Will my travel expenses be covered? 

We can pay a contribution of up to £5 per person only, per day, towards travel to and from the rehearsals, technical and dress rehearsals and both performances from within Bradford District.

If your young person is interested in applying we realise that this will mean a significant commitment for the parents or responsible adults to support them and transport them. Please make sure you are happy with this commitment before your young person attends the Community Cast Recruitment Sessions.

Can I bring friends and family with me? 

If you know people who want to take part, we’d love you to take part together, just encourage them to also apply. We need separate applications from everyone, so we have all the correct information for each individual. We welcome separate applications from members of the same family.

What if my young person wants to get involved but I do not want to get involved?  

We will have licenced chaperones to support children attending each rehearsal; as long as you give permission for your child to be involved then there will be no problem.  We will need your help to support children getting to and from rehearsals.

What will I wear for the performance?

For the performance everyone will have a specially designed costume. We will share more information with you about this nearer the time and you will be asked to attend a session to gather your measurements and another to fit your costume. You will not be expected to purchase any costume items.

Rehearsals FAQs

There are a number of rehearsals (we call these Core Rehearsals), including technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals and performance dates, that every member of the Community Cast needs to attend.

Rehearsals will take place weekly on a Thursday evening and Saturday daytime.

Some cast members will have a Featured Role and will need to attend more rehearsals.

You can see the full list of dates and times of the Core and Featured Rehearsals below.

What are the Core Rehearsal and Performance dates?
  • Saturday 1 November 12:00pm – 4:30pm
  • Thursday 6 November 6pm – 9pm
  • Saturday 8 November 10am – 4pm
  • Thursday 13 November 6pm – 9pm
  • Saturday 15 November 10am – 4pm
  • Thursday 20 November 6pm – 9pm
  • Saturday 22 November 10am – 6pm
  • Thursday 27 November 6pm – 9pm
  • Saturday 29 November 10am – 6pm
  • Thursday 4 December 6pm – 9pm
  • Saturday 6 December 10am – 6pm
  • Thursday 11 December 6pm – 9pm
  • Saturday 13 December 10am – 6pm
  • Tuesday 16 December – Evening TBC
  • Wednesday 17 December – Evening TBC
  • Thursday 18 December – Evening TBC
  • Friday 19 December – Evening TBC
  • Saturday 20 December – Full Day, times TBC (Performance)
  • Sunday 21 December – Full Day, times TBC (Performance)
What are Featured Roles?

Everyone in the show will have a role in the community cast (which will be the biggest star of the show!). In addition, there are some ‘Featured Roles’. These will involve some extra dancing, singing or acting either in small groups or on your own and will require some extra rehearsals.

Featured rehearsals will take place on some Tuesday evenings and Friday evenings from 6pm-8pm and Saturday afternoons from 4pm-6pm and you will be required for some but not all of these sessions.

You will be asked if you would like to be considered for a Featured Role in the Recruitment Form and can indicate which dates you would be available for.

If you cannot make any extra ‘Featured Dates’ or do not want to be considered for one of these roles, that’s completely fine, you can still be involved in the ‘Core Rehearsal Dates’ for the community cast.  The Core Community Cast will still have plenty to do in the performance and will be the centrepiece of the show!

What are the Featured Role rehearsal dates?
  • Saturday 1 November 4.45pm – 6pm
  • Friday 7 November 6pm – 8pm
  • Saturday 8 November 4.15pm – 6pm
  • Friday 14 November 6pm – 8pm
  • Saturday 15 November 4.15pm – 6pm
  • Tuesday 18 November 6pm -8pm
  • Friday 21 November 6pm – 8pm
  • Friday 28 November 6pm – 8pm
  • Friday 5 December 6pm – 8pm
  • Friday 12 December 6pm – 8pm
Will you be providing food?  

We will provide light refreshments at each rehearsal session. This will include fruit, snacks, biscuits and drinks. We cannot provide lunches, please bring your own packed lunch

From 19 to 21 December (the final week rehearsals) where call times are across mealtimes, we will provide a simple meal for everyone to enjoy together.

Do parents/carers need to attend rehearsals with their young person?

No. We will have licenced chaperones to support children attending each rehearsal; as long as you give permission for your child to be involved and are able to ensure they get there, then you do not need to wait or attend rehearsals with them.

It is our guidance that for all children up to 13 years old their responsible adult or designated adult picks up the child at the end of the session or activity. Once a child is over 13 years old, we will ask the responsible adult to confirm whether they give permission for their child to travel home independently, and we will log this. We would accept confirmation of this in writing, by email, on the phone or in-person and we will record when this confirmation was given/ by whom / to whom.

At pick-up we would ask responsible adults to pick up the child themselves or to explicitly designate another adult providing us with their name and relationship to the child (for example Terry their Grandad) which would be recorded. We ask for both names and relationship as the child might know the adult as Grandad rather than by their name for example.) We would ask to have sight of the responsible or designated adult and check with the child for positive identification and to confirm their name or relationship.

Give It A Go! and Community Cast Recruitment Sessions FAQs

Our Give It A Go! sessions will give you an idea of what the rehearsal process and the show will be like. If you can’t make this session but know that this opportunity is for you then you are more than welcome to come straight to a Community Cast recruitment session.

In these sessions you will take part in a drama and dance workshop, you’ll meet with the core creative team, and we’ll share all the information you will need for the recruitment process.

My child or someone I support wants to come to a Give It A Go session, but I do not. Do I have to attend a Give It A Go! session?

Yes, as at these sessions we will provide you with all the information to participate as a community cast member, but only the person who will be in the community cast will have to take part in the activities.

You will need to be there to so we can share the dates, times and location of rehearsals, technical rehearsal, dress rehearsals and performances. As the support worker or responsible adult, it is important that you are aware of this project’s details and commitments.

Does everyone who wants to join the Community Cast have to take part in the Give it a Go! Sessions?

No, if you know you already want to take part, sign up to the Community Cast Recruitment Sessions above.

What happens if after the Give It a Go! session, I decide I want to join the Community Cast?

Great! Please sign up to attend one of our Community Cast Recruitment Sessions above

What happens if after the Give It a Go session, I don’t want to go to the Recruitment Days?

This is no problem at all, the whole point of these sessions is to see if joining the Community Cast is for you. There is no obligation to take part beyond the Give it a Go! workshop.

What are the Community Cast Recruitment Sessions?

These sessions will involve a fun and exciting theatre and dance workshop. They will give you the chance to find out about the show more and meet the lead artists on the project and they are a chance for the team to meet you and to get to know you a little bit more.

You must attend one of our Community Cast Recruitment Sessions to take part as a community cast member.

If you are unable to attend one of our Community Cast Recruitment Sessions, then unfortunately you cannot be part of this event. However, please email [email protected] if you would like to be added to a waiting list in the event that we hold any additional sessions.

What should I wear for the Give It A Go or Community Cast Recruitment Session?

For these workshop sessions please wear something that is comfortable and easy to move in. If you have shoes that are flat with rubber soles or trainers these will be ideal for performing and dancing in.

Will everyone who attends a Give It A Go Session or Community Cast Recruitment Session be involved in the performance?

No, unfortunately not. On the Community Cast Recruitment Sessions, we expect to see more people than we are able to have in the show.  We will let you know whether you are invited to join the Community Cast by 22 September 2025. We won’t be able to give individual feedback from these sessions.