Project Dans returns
Starting Monday, March 2, Project Dans will once again be broadcast on NPO 1. In this new edition, twelve promising dancers will take on the challenge of proving themselves as the best all-round dancers in the Netherlands. At De Vorstin in Hilversum, they will give it their all, with one ultimate goal in mind: the grand prize, a role in a production by ISH Dance Collective.
Led by presenter and professional breaker Redo, the participants will be tested weekly on their technical skills, mental resilience, and artistic versatility. Each episode focuses on one dance style and revolves around the all-important question: who will stand out from the crowd?
From funk to ballroom
The dancers receive lessons from leading choreographers who introduce them to the essence of their discipline. They work on funk with ISH dancer Gino Jagessar, Latin with Koen & Roemjana, hip hop with Carlton Marks Walden, modern with Isabelle Beernaert, ballroom with Euvgenia Parakhina, commercial dance with Virgil Moreno, and jazz with Tara Masimer. Technique, timing, and personality are key, because only those who truly master a style have a chance to advance.
With the guidance of coaches Natascha Dejong and Nicholas “Shaker” Singer, the participants work on their growth toward a professional career. With so many styles, no round is the same, and the competition becomes increasingly exciting.
ISH Dance Collective
ISH Dance Collective plays a visible role in the program this season. In addition to the grand prize: a role in a new ISH performance, ISH's Lars de Vos has created a duet especially for Project Dance with performers from ISH and the four finalists. In the final, Marco Gerris, founder and artistic director of ISH, joins as a guest judge and helps decide who will be crowned the winner.
The first edition of the program already showed that a role at ISH can open doors. In 2024, Louis Swanepoel was given a role in Hiphop Circus and finalist Kayva Dehne secured a place in Animatronics.
Jury
The performances are judged by a permanent jury consisting of three-time European and world hip-hop champion Jennifer Romen and international ballet dancer and choreographer Rinus Sprong. Together with an independent audience jury and the choreographer of the week, they decide who will advance and who will have to leave the program.
Behind the scenes
This season, Project Dans is offering extra backstage content on social media. Former finalist Kayva goes behind the scenes, follows the contestants and the crew, and shares a unique glimpse behind the scenes through interviews and exclusive footage.
Project Dans can be seen on NTR on Monday, March 2, at 8:30 p.m. on NPO 1.