Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre has announced the return of its artist development initiative Theatre Dance Lab, alongside the two choreographers selected for its 2026 programme.
Nicola Mac and Taylor Walker will take part in the scheme, which supports emerging musical theatre choreographers through mentoring, creative opportunities and industry connections.
A public showcase of their work will take place on Friday 18 September 2026, following a two-week development period with a cohort of professional dancers.
Each choreographer will present three performance pieces, alongside in-conversation moments with Artistic Director Drew McOnie.
The programme is designed to nurture the next generation of dance-makers working in musical theatre and builds on its inaugural year, which featured Tinovimbanashe Sibanda and Rhys Wilkinson.
Drew McOnie said: “I’m thrilled that Theatre Dance Lab is returning for a second year; bringing the work of up-and-coming musical theatre choreographers to the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre stage. We are extremely grateful for the generous support of The Dorfman Foundation and the Garrick Charitable Trust in making this programme possible. Following a thorough recruitment process that saw just under 50 choreographers apply for the scheme, I’m so excited to see what Nicola Mac and Taylor Walker present in their showcase; two outstanding choreographers that we are truly proud to support.”
Nicola Mac’s previous work includes associate choreography credits on Miss Saigon, Little Shops of Horrors and Frankie Goes to Bollywood, alongside choreography for productions such as Dorothy Back in Oz and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
Taylor Walker is a director and choreographer whose work spans stage and screen, including credits on Treason The Musical, Saving Mozart the Musical, Strictly Come Dancing and Dance Monsters for Netflix.
Theatre Dance Lab is supported by The Dorfman Foundation and the Garrick Charitable Trust.
More information can be found here.
