International Theatre Dance Awards

 

Welcome to the International Theatre Dance Awards, the IDTA’s premier event and the UK’s most prestigious dance competition. This annual celebration of exceptional talent provides selected dancers with the opportunity to win financial support for their training. Participation in the Theatre Dance Awards is by invitation only, with candidates nominated by the Association’s examiners during higher grade or performers examinations through a qualified teacher.

 

Nomination Criteria

To be considered for the Theatre Dance Awards, candidates must achieve a score of 92% or higher, with a minimum of 54% in the technique category. Eight awards are presented annually in Ballet, Theatre Craft, Tap, and Contemporary Modern Jazz at both higher grade and performers levels. The event is held every year in Telford, with the nomination deadline set for October 31st.

 

Awards and Recognition

Each year, over 500 candidates from more than 7,500 are nominated for these prestigious awards. Successful candidates receive a trophy and prize money to support their dance careers. All nominees receive certificates, and the teachers of the winners are also recognized. Additional trophies for runners-up include:

  • The Bill Tasker Award for Theatre Craft Grades and Performers
  • The Sir Ken Dodd Award for Tap Grades and Performers
  • The Veronica Tweedale Award for Ballet Grades
  • The Gladys Thorpe Memorial Award for Ballet Performers
  • The Pam Tidmarsh Award for Contemporary Modern Jazz Grades Class
  • The Peggy Harrison Award for Contemporary Modern Jazz Performers Class

 

Rules and Regulations

To ensure fairness and transparency, the following rules apply: Please click here.

 

Class Format

Classes will consist of unseen technical work in the designated genre, including a set variation or combination. This will be performed in small groups, from which finalists will be selected to re-dance the variation/combination. Large classes may be divided at the discretion of the Committee.

We look forward to celebrating the exceptional talents of our dancers and wish all nominees the best of luck. For any further clarification or inquiries, please contact the Theatre Dance Awards Committee at tda@idta.co.uk.

 

History of the Theatre Awards

The Theatre Dance Awards originated as the “IDTA Scholarships” in May 1970, following the merger of the IDMA and DTA to form the IDTA in 1967. Initially, the scholarships were a private event, where dancers performed and were interviewed by a panel of adjudicators.

In 1988, the Scholarships moved to Manchester, held at the Grand Hotel, becoming a public event where teachers and dancers could showcase their high standards to everyone. This event quickly became a flagship event for the IDTA. The organizing committee at that time included Miss Peggy Harrison, Miss Judy Silvester, Miss Betty Pattison, Miss Barbara Sharples, and Miss Emily Chadburn.

The following year, the event relocated to New Century House in Manchester. In 1992, a new committee was formed, comprising Miss Barbara Sharples, Mr. Bill Tasker, Miss Annette Bromley, and Mrs. Jose Davey, with Mrs. Brenda Yeates as the ticket secretary.

In 1997, the Scholarships were renamed the IDTA “Theatre Dance Awards.” The Ken Dodd Awards for Tap were introduced in 1998, honoring Sir Ken Dodd’s contribution to the society. Following Mrs. Davey’s retirement in 1999, Lynda Cardwell joined the committee. In 2003, after the loss of Bill Tasker, the William (Bill) Tasker Awards for Theatre Craft were established, judged by Mrs. Margaret Tasker for many years.

The Gladys Thorpe Award, initially set up by the Ballet Faculty, was incorporated into the Theatre Awards in 2005. The Veronica Tweedale Award was established in 2007 in memory of Judith Veronica Tweedale. In 2008, two more awards were introduced in memory of Peggy Harrison and Pamela Tidmarsh, and the event moved to the RNCM. That same year, upon Miss Sharples’ retirement, Lynda Cardwell began her 10-year role as Chairman, and Mrs. Jennifer McCrow joined the committee.

In 2015, Mrs. Wendy Heywood joined the committee. By 2018, Miss Cardwell and Miss Annette Bromley, the longest-serving committee member, retired, along with Mrs. Brenda Yeates as ticket secretary. The committee leadership then transitioned to Miss Donna Wilcox and Miss Michelle Upton as joint chairs for the 2019 event, with Miss Wendy Heywood, Miss Jennifer McCrow, Miss Lucy Clamp, and Nigel Foran as scrutineer.

In 2021, due to COVID-19, the Theatre Awards went digital for the first time, returning to a closed event format. The event was filmed worldwide, with dancers participating remotely. The winners were announced live on social media, demonstrating the resilience of the IDTA family.

The awards returned live to the RNCM in Manchester in 2022 and 2023, but with growing momentum, it was time to move again. Miss Jennifer McCrow and Miss Lucy Clamp retired from the committee in 2022.

In 2023, the TDA announced a new venue for the 2024 awards: the Telford International Convention Centre, marking a return to the Midlands. New committee members Miss Cheryl Dodd and Miss Vanessa Hooper also joined.

As we look back, it’s notable that many committee members have danced at the scholarships, adjudicated, and now organize the event, continuing to make new memories.