The TIRED Movement is once again thrilled to be attending Young Talent Expo as the official charity partner!

The TIRED Movement and our sister organisation, Shades Dancewear, have had incredible experiences at the past two Young Talent Expo events, and we are delighted to be on board again.

The TIRED Movement (Trying to Improve Racial Equality in Dance) is at the forefront of challenging the status quo and driving positive change for representation, diversity, and equity throughout dance and the performing arts.

Our mission is simple but powerful: to provide young people with a platform to express their creativity, break down barriers, and challenge the systemic inequities that too often hold them back. We believe that nurturing diverse voices from a young age is the key to fostering a fairer, more inclusive, and more vibrant future.

TIRED’s aim is always to inspire positive change and highlight the importance of giving all dancers the opportunity to shine. We are committed to improving racial representation in dance and performing arts education, while making sure the sector reflects the rich diversity and immense talent within our communities.

Who is TIRED?

Founded in 2020, TIRED began as a social enterprise (not-for-profit organisation) to raise awareness about racial injustice in the performing arts industry and the importance of representation within dance education.

Since then, TIRED has gained international reach and recognition, supported by our diverse Advisory Board. Our mission is to unite the dance community through open communication that both educates and motivates teachers of the next generation.

TIRED has created an inclusive, informative, and safe space for honest conversations around racial equity. Thanks to the overwhelming support of the dance community, TIRED has already made significant strides towards implementing lasting change for future generations of performers.

The RED Research Project

The RED (Representation and Equity in Dance) Research Project is a groundbreaking three-year study led by the TIRED Movement in collaboration with Dr. Imogen Aujla and in partnership with leading UK vocational colleges: BIRD, Performers, Laine Theatre Arts and London Studio Centre.

This project investigates the impact of representation – or the lack thereof – in dance education, culminating in the creation of a new framework that colleges can adopt to monitor, evaluate, and embed diversity and representation across all levels of training.

For the first time in the UK, colleges have been working together to share best practice and improve racial equity, inclusion, and representation in performing arts education.

New RED Research Key Findings

As part of the RED Project, we interviewed students to explore experiences of racial inequity, discrimination, and lack of representation in college settings.

Key insights include:

• All students shared that they had many positive experiences at college, including strong relationships with both teachers and peers.
• Both Global Majority and White students observed the lack of diversity and representation in their training environments.
• Despite positive experiences, participants also reported numerous incidents of discrimination, ranging from subtle microaggressions and rumours to overt acts such as stereotyping, unfair treatment, and social exclusion.
• For Global Majority students, discrimination often led to increased self-doubt, reduced confidence, feelings of social isolation, and invalidation. These experiences also caused anxieties about the future—especially concerns about being cast in productions due to “diversity quotas” rather than genuine recognition of their talent.
• Students differed in how they managed these experiences: some were unsure how to respond, while others found talking through their experiences helpful. Unfortunately, when concerns were raised, colleges did not always address them appropriately or with enough transparency, leaving students uncertain about whether their experiences were taken seriously.
• Colleges were making important strides towards racial equity. These included hosting talks and discussions, adopting the Halo Code, encouraging the use of skin-tone matching dancewear, and teaching the origins of dance genres. White students, in particular, reported that these educational steps were useful and impactful.

These findings highlight both the progress being made and the urgent need for systemic change in order to ensure that all students, regardless of background, feel supported, represented, and celebrated throughout their training.

Introducing TIRED Connect

We are excited to announce the launch of TIRED Connect – our brand-new platform designed to provide ongoing support, resources, and networking opportunities for the dance and performing arts community.

TIRED Connect will serve as a digital hub where dancers, teachers, parents, and industry professionals can:

• Access educational resources and toolkits on racial equity in dance.
• Connect with like-minded individuals and organisations who are passionate about creating change.
• Share experiences and best practice within a supportive and moderated environment.
• Stay updated on the latest findings from the RED Research Project and TIRED initiatives.
• Discover ways to get involved, from volunteering and fundraising to professional collaborations.

This platform represents the next step in our mission to create sustainable change by providing the community with practical tools and a safe space for collaboration. With TIRED Connect, our vision of an inclusive, informed, and empowered dance world becomes even closer to reality.

Join the Movement

We invite you to join us in improving racial equality in dance. Whether you are a dancer, teacher, parent, or supporter of the arts, there are many ways to get involved.

Supporting TIRED also means choosing inclusive brands like Shades Dancewear, our sister organisation dedicated to promoting diversity in dance. Shades offers high-quality dancewear in four diverse skin-tone shades, each named in honour of Global Majority pioneers in dance: Bojangles, Raven, Uday, and Pearl. Explore their full range at: www.shades-dancewear.com.

Together, we can create a dance world that is inclusive, vibrant, and reflective of our diverse society. With our growing partnerships, our RED research, and now the launch of TIRED Connect, we are more determined than ever to drive lasting change.

As we continue our journey with Young Talent Expo, we remain inspired by the voices of our community:

“The more voices we hear, the louder we become.”

Follow and Support TIRED

📲 Instagram – @movementtired @tiredconnect
 🎶 TikTok – @tired.movement
 📘 Facebook – The TIRED Movement
 ▶️ YouTube – The TIRED Movement
 🌍 Website – www.tiredmovement.com www.tiredconnect.com

📩 Contact us at: info@tiredmovement.com

The TIRED Team is always here to support you! Join the Movement Today.