Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre has revealed the inaugural choreographers selected for its new artist development initiative, Theatre Dance Lab. Tinovimbanashe Sibanda and Rhys Wilkinson will present their work in a public showcase on Friday 19 September 2025.
Theatre Dance Lab is designed to support early-career choreographers working in musical theatre. The programme offers mentoring, creative access, industry connections, and the opportunity to present original work on the Open Air Theatre’s main stage.
The showcase will feature three performance pieces from each choreographer, developed over a two-week residency with professional dancers. Audiences will also enjoy ‘in conversation’ segments with Artistic Director Drew McOnie.
Drew McOnie said, “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.”
Tinovimbanashe Sibanda is a choreographer, movement director, and performer whose work is shaped by collaboration, curiosity, and care. She was nominated for Best Choreographer/Movement Director at the Black British Theatre Awards for The Importance of Being Earnest.
Her credits include Die Walküre (Santa Fe Opera), Millennials (The Other Palace), A Christmas Carole (Trafalgar Entertainment/Tuckshop), Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (ArtsEd), Made in Dagenham (Mountview), RENT, Sister Act, A Chorus Line (ArtsEd), Before After (Southwark Playhouse), King of Pangea (King’s Head Theatre), Stick Fly (LAMDA), Machinal and Beneatha’s Place (Mountview), Dark Matter by Tatenda Naomi Matsvai (Theatre Peckham), Our Teacher’s a Troll (Ruined Theatre), and BLESSED — a music video by Juls curated by TEN (The Essence of Noire).
Rhys Wilkinson is an established performer and emerging choreographer and movement director. His credits include Bat Boy (Musical in Concert) at The London Palladium, Stephen Schwartz at 75 (The Lyric Theatre), No Limits (The Turbine Theatre), and choreography for various musical workshops, music videos, and short films.
As a performer, Rhys has starred in &Juliet, Just For One Day: The Live Aid Musical, and Why Am I So Single?. He has also choreographed for a confidential animated film set to premiere in cinemas in 2027.
More information can be found here.
