Apply to perform with us.
Apply to perform at
Blackstage Presents:
AUDACITY
2025.
We are thrilled to invite performers to join Blackstage's fourth annual Professional Pole Show at our home, The Clapham Grand, on Saturday, 5th of April 2025. This year’s show theme is AUDACITY, and we are looking for bold, unforgettable performances that celebrate excellence and uniqueness.
Performer Fee & Show Details
Performance Fee: £1,000 for a 2-4 minute performance.
Tech Rehearsal: Friday 4th of April, 2025, at The Clapham Grand, London
Show Date: Saturday, 5th of April, 2025, at The Clapham Grand, London.
Travel & Accommodation Covered
We are committed to making this an inclusive opportunity for all performers. Here’s what you can expect:
Full travel coverage for all performers, including both domestic and international travel.
Accommodation provided from April 4th - April 6th, 2025, for those travelling to London.
Up to 4 spots on our line-up are reserved for non-UK-based performers.
Please ensure you research any required Visas if you're applying from abroad.
Application Process & Fee
Application Fee: £20 (non-refundable).
This year the application fee has increased to £20 to ensure we can cover all performer travel and fees for our additional application judges. Blackstage is a non-profit organisation that works tirelessly for funding all year round. Any money we have is wholly invested into our running costs and therefore your support is very important. All we want to do is continue to create spaces of joy within our community and every penny helps towards this.Applying for the show this year will automatically enter you into a raffle to win 1 complimentary ticket to the show and the FULL Blackstage X Nike Kit worth £400 (you must attend the show to collect this). Raffle winners will be announced after applications close.
How to Apply
Purchase your show application using the link below.
Submit your application by 11:59 PM GMT on 1st of December 2024. Applications submitted after this deadline will not be considered.
Download the application form in PDF or Word format if you wish to prepare your answers offline. Once completed, you’ll need to submit your final responses via our website to ensure consideration.
Application submission includes:
A link to an uncut, continuous 2-4 minute video of your pole performance (YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive, or WeTransfer links accepted). Please ensure these are open to view and do not require permission or a password.
A cover letter
Please include trigger warnings in your cover letters if applicable.
Need financial support or access adjustments? We are committed to making the application process as accessible as possible. Please contact us at admin@blackstagepole.com with the subject 'Adjustments' or 'Financial Support' so that we can make any essential adjustments or subsidies to this application for you.
Application Requirements:
We are only accepting applications from pole dancers of the global majority (Black People or People of Colour).
Applicants must ensure they have researched any Visa requirements for working in the UK.
10 performance spots are available in total, and we welcome pole dancers of all levels (yes, this includes beginners) to apply.
The application fee is non-refundable.
Judging Criteria:
We’re not just looking for skills—we’re looking for star quality! We want to see:
Charisma, creativity, and flair.
A unique performance that brings something fresh to the stage.
For more information on how we judge applications, please review our Application Judging Process document.
Allies & Supporters
We invite allies and supporters to purchase an application to support low-income applicants. To do so, simply purchase an application and then notify us.
FAQs
Before submitting your application, please check out our FAQs at the bottom of this page for answers to common questions. If your question isn’t covered, feel free to reach out.
Applications close at 11.59 PM GMT on the 1st of December 2024. Applications sent after this time will not be considered.
Good luck everyone!
x
Apply Here.
Please purchase an application and then complete the form below
Frequently Asked Questions
Real questions, real answers
Q: Intermediate queer/BIPOC poler in Amsterdam, how can I get involved without performing?
A: To get involved without performing please sign up to our mailing list where we share all of our updates first.
Q: Have you always had beginners enter? If yes, who were your beginner artists previously?
A: Yes, we’ve always welcomed beginners.
In our 2023 show, Anomaly had only been pole dancing for a number of weeks at the point of applying.
Q: What is the performer selection process like?
A: Please see our application processes here
Q: Does it matter if there are people in the back of your submission video?
A: Not at all. Blackstage aims not to be elitist and to consider that not everyone has access to big empty spaces,
we accept videos of all qualities as long as we can see what you’re capable of.
Q: Any general tips for applicants?
A: Just be your truest self, show us what you can do - really let go and enjoy the performance element.
Q: Do you have to be an advanced/long-term pole dancer to perform at Blackstage 2024?
A: Not at all, you could have been pole dancing for 10 days or 10 years, it’s about what you can do.
Q: Are applicants welcomed from absolutely ANYONE? Despite level, following, performance experience…
A: Yes, two of our performers from our April 2023 show had never performed at the time of their application.
Q: Is the application video supposed to be the routine we would perform in the show?
A: No, you can do whatever you want.
Q: When will we know if we got a place?
A: By the 21st of December
Q: If we are successful, does the final routine have to fit with the theme of the show? (2023)
A: Even though the theme hasn’t been revealed yet, each performance will definitely fit the theme without having to do anything.
I know this is vague but you’ll see what we mean when we announce the theme! (2023)
Q: I’d love to apply, but I don’t know if I am POC enough to - I don’t want to take this from people who are
A: If you’re a Person of Colour and a pole dancer you can apply!
Q: Should the pole submissions also be what you perform?
A: No, they don’t need to be. Historically, only one person has performed the same routine.
Q: What is the theme this year?
A: All will be revealed spoon enough!
Q: Will a BSL interpreter be provided?
A: A BSL interpreter will be provided if there are members of the Deaf or hearing-impaired community who
disclose they would like access to this.
This being said, please disclose this information if possible so that we can provide this for you.
Q: Not sure if I have properly understood, do we have to pay 300 euros just to apply?
A: No, the application fee is £20.
Q: What can white folks do to support this incredible space?
A: You can support Blackstage by sharing and liking our content,
attending our events and putting money into our organisation.
This can be done via www.blackstage.com/donate.
Q: Is there a limit on number of applicants you can receive before you close submissions?
A: Nope! This we are open to an unlimited number of submissions at this time.
Q: Can I submit more than one entry?
A: Yes, please be aware that it is £20 per submission.
Q: If we wanted to do 4 minutes for the performance, can we submit just a 2 minute snippet?
A: Of course!
Q: Does the video have to be submitted in the same style i’ve listed?
A: Yes, please have the style stated match the submission video.
Q: If the submission doesn’t have to reflect the performance, what should the submission focus on?
A: Anything you like, just be you!