The Search for Dancers for the new RTE series ‘DANCE OFF’ is launched: Press Release 14/04/10

Stirling Film & TV Production in partnership with Breandán de Gallaí, are producing a new 6 part dance series for RTE….and they are searching for Irish Dancers to attend auditions!

DANCE OFF is the contest every Irish dancer dreads – the ruthless daily eliminations approach, so commonly used in the search for stars in this no nonsense showbiz world. Impressing the judges is all that matters, with no room for error.

Breandán de Gallaí, Riverdance’s dance director and former principal dancer, knows all about competition at amateur and professional level. Breandán, writer and choreographer of “Dance Off” the stage show says, "Dance Off is a new departure for the Irish dance show genre. The stage show will strive to tell the story of the dance from the viewpoint of the dancer - the tradition holder who resides in this crazy world. Through movement, narrative, parody, comedy and pathos, this Irish dance play will deliver powerful performances through text and dance, breaking all the traditions and taboos of Irish dance".

DANCE OFF, the television series, will follow Breandán’s search for a new generation of Irish Dancers who are willing to abandon the discipline and etiquette of the feis circuit. These are dancers brought up on television diet of X Factor, Next Top Model and So You Think You Can Dance; television exposure as a short cut to celebrity will not be lost on Breandán’s selection – and they will compete for this as well as their place in the show.

Over the next 6 months Breandán will set out to select a troupe of 12 dancers who are not only technically up for it, but up for it in everyway - loosing their inhibitions to improvise, speak and act on stage – as well as on camera.

Regarding the type of dancers Breandán is searching for, he says "I'm looking for championship level dancers, who are willing to push themselves as performers, and the boundaries of the tradition from which they come. Training in acting is not necessary, however confidence, an inquisitive nature and a willingness to try something new is!"

During May and June this year, Breandán along with his ‘Répétiteur’ – Dearbhla Lennon from Riverdance fame, will hold 4 auditions in DUBLIN, BELFAST, LIMERICK and DERRY. From these auditions a chosen 30 will go through to Boot Camp and then the knock out begins! By end of Day 5 of Boot Camp, Breandán will have chosen his troupe of 12 who will take part in a 4 week intensive rehearsal period, leading up to the opening performance of the show!


If you are over 18 years old, dancing competitively or professionally and are interested in auditioning, please log onto www.stirlingtelevision.co.uk/danceoff or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for application form and audition dates/venues details.

Those with press queries please contact Series Producer Gráinne McCotter at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it