Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre announces choreographers for new artist development programme

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre has announced the choreographers who will participate in Theatre Dance Lab, a new artist development programme.

First revealed in the new season announcement, it offers two early-career musical theatre choreographers a paid residency to develop their practice. It’ll culminate in an industry showcase at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, which has now been confirmed for Friday 19 September 2025.

The two successful applicants are Tinovimbanashe Sibanda and Rhys Wilkinson. Sibanda is a Black British Theatre Award nominee for the English Touring Theatre, Leeds Playhouse and Rose Theatre Kingston production of The Importance of Being Earnest. Other notable credits include Millenials at the Other Palace Studio, Before After at Southwark Playhouse, and King of Pangea at King’s Head Theatre. Wilkinson has appeared in shows such as & Juliet, Just For One Day: The Live Aid Musical and Why Am I So Single?, and choreographer/movement director credits include Bat Boy in Concert at The London Palladium, Stephen Schwartz at 75 at the Lyric Theatre, and No Limits at the Turbine Theatre.

The venue’s artistic director Drew McOnie commented: “I’m so excited to see the culmination of the first Theatre Dance Lab. This showcase will present the brilliant work that both Tino and Rhys have developed during their time with the programme and will also provide a unique opportunity for audiences to meet each of these exceptional artists and experience their work in an authentic and stripped-back environment. I’m hugely grateful to both the Dorfman Foundation and the Garrick Charitable Trust for their support in bringing this project to fruition.”

Across a two-week developmental period, Sibanda and Wilkinson will receive coaching from McOnie as well as mentoring from the theatre’s producing team and external choreographers. They’ll also receive access to a rehearsal space and professional dancers to work with to develop three performance pieces each.