Dance Ahead CIC is expanding its pool of freelance walkabout and character performers for upcoming work across Carlisle and North Cumbria.
We create playful, visually distinctive performance experiences for public spaces, festivals, community events and seasonal celebrations. Our characters, concepts and costumes are developed in-house, and we’re looking for performers who can step confidently into those worlds and bring them to life.
Current opportunities
We are currently seeking performers for potential:
- Scare Fest / Halloween work
- Christmas and festive walkabout work
- Further character-based and public-space performance opportunities as they arise
These are paid freelance opportunities – rates are variable, dependent on funding sources.
Who we’re looking for
We’d love to hear from confident, playful and responsive performers with skills or experience in areas such as:
- Character and physical theatre
- Dance and movement
- Clowning and improvisation
- Interactive or roaming performance
- Street theatre
- Family and community events
- Performing in non-traditional or public spaces
You do not need to identify primarily as a dancer. We are interested in performers who are physically expressive, imaginative and comfortable engaging directly with members of the public.
Walkabout work can involve improvisation, repeated encounters, responding to unexpected situations and maintaining character over sustained periods, so we’re particularly interested in performers who enjoy that kind of live interaction.
Performers should be comfortable with costume, theatrical make-up and, for some roles, body paint.
We are also seeking a violinist
We are particularly keen to hear from a violinist who could also perform in character.
This could suit someone with experience in theatre, street performance, folk performance, physical theatre or live event work, although we are open to hearing from musicians interested in developing this side of their practice.
Characters and costumes
Dance Ahead’s walkabout characters and performance concepts are created in-house.
Performers are therefore not expected to provide their own character or existing act. Depending on the project, we may provide:
- Character concept and direction
- Costume
- Props
- Rehearsal or development time
- Guidance around audience interaction and the wider event
- Theatrical make-up or body paint where appropriate to the character
Some roles may involve the use of face paint, theatrical make-up or body paint, including application to visible areas such as the face, neck, arms or hands. This will always be discussed with the performer in advance.
We would ask performers to let us know about any skin sensitivities, allergies, preferences or practical considerations that may affect the use of make-up or body paint. Products would be selected and used appropriately for performance purposes, with time allowed for application and removal where required.
We’re interested in performers who enjoy interpreting material while also bringing their own personality, improvisational instincts and performance skills to the role.
We’re interested in performers who enjoy interpreting material while also bringing their own personality, improvisational instincts and performance skills to the role.
Eligibility
Performers must be:
18+
Registered as self-employed
Based in Carlisle or North Cumbria, or able to work locally without significant travel requirements
Able to meet any DBS or insurance requirements relevant to the engagement
As these are freelance engagements, performers will be responsible for invoicing Dance Ahead CIC for agreed work.
Safeguarding & DBS
Some Dance Ahead opportunities take place in family, community and public settings, including work where children and young people may be present.
Depending on the nature of the engagement, performers may be required to hold or obtain an appropriate DBS check and to work in line with Dance Ahead CIC’s safeguarding procedures.
Where a DBS check is required for a specific role, this will be made clear before contracting.
I’d then follow immediately with:
Freelance status & insurance
Performers must be registered as self-employed and able to invoice Dance Ahead CIC for agreed work.
Freelancers may also be required to hold appropriate Public Liability Insurance, depending on the nature of the engagement. Any specific insurance requirements will be confirmed in advance.
What we value
Alongside performance ability, we’re looking for people who are:
- Reliable and professional
- Warm and confident with audiences
- Comfortable working with children, families and the general public
- Able to improvise while respecting the structure and tone of a character
- Collaborative and responsive to direction
- Happy working outdoors and in busy public environments where required
Previous professional character or walkabout experience is welcome, but we are also interested in performers from related backgrounds who would like to develop this area of their practice.
Fees and availability
Each opportunity will be agreed separately, with the fee, hours, location, rehearsal requirements and expectations agreed in advance.
Joining our performer pool does not guarantee a specific number of engagements, but it means we can contact you when suitable opportunities arise.
Interested?
Please send us:
- Your name
- Where you are based
- A short introduction
- Relevant performance experience
- Any particular skills you’d like us to know about – particular musical instrument / vocal skills
- A headshot or recent photograph
- A link to a showreel, website or examples of your work, if available
- Your general availability for autumn and Christmas 2026
Email:
Please use the subject line:
Walkabout Performer Call-Out
Deadline:
20th September 2026
We’d also be delighted to hear from performers we haven’t worked with before.
Dance Ahead CIC
People. Place. Participation.
Creating Space for Connection