For two decades, MOVE IT has provided a vital platform for talent, new work and collaborations. As the UK’s largest dance event marks its 20th anniversary, Dance Informa speaks to Co-Creative Directors Kate Scanlan and Tia Hassan about this year’s event and the vibrant community MOVE IT has nurtured over the years.
Building a community – the origins
Both Scanlan and Hassan took the reins as Creative Directors in 2016, but they’ve been a part of the festival right from the beginning. Scanlan was a producer on Breakin’ Convention and brought Flawless to the festival, while Hassan took the Northern Ballet’s touring production of Dracula to the stage. “Even then, we knew it was going to be something really special,” recalls Scanlan.
MOVE IT was conceived to offer a much-needed space for professional companies, dancers and brands to come together to present their shows, services and products. Over the years, it has grown from a marketplace-style event to a festival that attracts thousands, but its founding vision – a celebration of dance – has remained central to its ethos.
“Despite all the differences between genres, dancers and companies, there is so much that unites us,” explains Hassan. “At MOVE IT, that power shows up in abundance. Just take the Main Stage – 5,000 audience members cheering on every single company. The energy is electric.”
Challenges and evolution
Organising an event of MOVE IT’s scale is no small task. This year, the three-day event will feature 12 studios, four stages, 270 dance classes and over 145 exhibitors, which requires meticulous scheduling. Scanlan and Hassan admit that programming is always a challenge. “It’s a milestone event for passionate dancers at different stages of their journey, from first-time dancers to children, hobbyists, students, professionals and adults who just love to dance,” explains Scanlan. “Creating this mix between inspirational, educational and entertainment is a challenge, but we love it.”
As MOVE IT has evolved, so too have the demands of the dance community. Over the years, features like the Showcase Theatre have been introduced to highlight musical theatre work. The addition of the Roller Rink tapped into the growing popularity of roller skating. This year, the rink has partnered with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic Starlight Express, reflecting the renewed role of roller skating within the dance community.
In 2022, the team launched the Creative Advisor Board (CAB) to foster an ongoing dialogue with the dance industry and help the team make the event more inclusive and impactful. “We want to grow the show, and we want to do it in partnership with our communities. Together, we are stronger,” says Scanlan. Through this collaboration, MOVE IT has introduced features, such as easier navigation for attendees, more accessible spaces for neurodivergent audiences and a renewed focus on teachers’ contributions.
Influencing the dance industry
MOVE IT has cemented its reputation as a leader in the UK’s performing arts sector and is widely recognised for its role in launching new content, fostering collaborations and encouraging experimentation. “We were recently awarded Dance Event of the Year by the Deja Vu Dance Awards 2025. This award was voted for by dancers and the dance community, so it felt really special,” Scanlan beams.
Then there are the countless success stories. Dean McCullough, who began hosting on the Showcase Stage nearly 12 years ago, has gone on to become a Radio 1 DJ. Hakeem Onibudo, the original Freestyle Stage Host, was recently honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the One Dance UK Awards 2025. Flawless, also celebrating its 20th anniversary, first performed here in 2005. Layton Williams tested the hugely successful training programme, Pros from the Shows, which he now delivers with West End stars, at Move It. It’s an impressive platform for launching careers and pushing boundaries.
A love letter to dance
The duo has described this year’s 20th-anniversary event as a “love letter to MOVE IT.” The programme is as inclusive as ever, offering something for everyone from seasoned professionals to beginners. “Dance can break down barriers, transcend languages and build confidence,” Scanlan reflects. “It’s a conduit for creative expression, and everyone should be able to enjoy it – whether they’re watching, dancing for fun, training or pursuing it as a career.”
In today’s climate, MOVE IT’s mission feels even more relevant. “The arts can feel like a precarious career and, post-pandemic, the landscape of funding and opportunity is more challenging. We want to create space to celebrate all forms of dance, the dancers, the teachers, the schools and the vast careers that can come from being involved in and or training in the performing arts.”
The future of MOVE IT
So, how do you follow 20 years of success? “The sky’s the limit!” says Scanlan. With initiatives like the MOVE IT bursary aiming to provide more opportunities for young dancers, and new projects, including YouTube series and live podcast recordings, extending the event’s impact beyond its three-day run, MOVE IT is looking to expand its reach even further.
But for both Scanlan and Hassan, the heart of MOVE IT remains unchanged. “I have had so many ‘I heart MOVE IT’ moments,” reflects Hassan. “An exceptional dancer uniquely expressing themselves on the Freestyle Stage, the opening of the show with a flashmob from Bird College with thousands of audiences running up the tunnel, some young kid killing some tough choreography in class – it’s all magic.”
“The 2022 show felt massive,” says Scanlan, reflecting on the pandemic. “For a while, we didn’t feel like that would ever be possible again. Standing in front of the Main Stage amongst thousands of dance lovers cheering and whooping for joy – I’ll never forget that.”
MOVE IT will take place at the London Excel Centre on 7 – 9 March. For more information and to book tickets, go to www.moveitdance.co.uk.
By Allie D’Almo of Dance Informa.
