About us

Based in the East of England, DanceEast is one of the nation's leading dance organisations.

Founded in 1983 and gaining National Dance Agency status in 1994, DanceEast has grown from strength to strength, maintaining its commitment to the rural communities of East Anglia whilst developing national and international programmes.

DanceEast brings world-class dance to the East of England, presenting an eclectic programme of performances, widening the experience of audiences and bringing a new and invigorated audience to dance.

DanceEast also works with regional dance artists, bringing in established choreographers and renowned companies, including Wayne McGregor/Random Dance,  to support professional development and to offer production facilities. DanceEast encourages emerging artists, providing a framework of training, support and performance opportunities

In the Community

DanceEast runs a variety of dance activities open to all, from tots to the over 60's. The programme includes Egyptian belly dancing; hip-hop; ballet; jazz; Pilates and yoga. From classes for people with additional needs through to professional masterclasses, DanceEast promotes dance as a pastime for fun and fitness for everybody.

DanceEast co-ordinates a range of youth dance companies in Suffolk, bringing gifted new dancers professional choreographers and expert tuition, as well as opportunities to perform at national and regional platforms.

Working with schools, DanceEast offers a variety of after-school activities, developing the extended schools agenda. Resources are provided to develop the teaching of dance as part of the national curriculum; including the acclaimed DVD Soil Dances for Key Stage 2. DanceEast supports dance education within the school environment, widening the opportunities for dance experience to all young people.

DanceEast works with looked after children and children at risk, as well as children in hospitals, bringing them the opportunity to use dance for creative expression and physical and psychological therapy, through expert tuition and support.

For several years, DanceEast has been going into Ipswich and Colchester hospitals each week to deliver dance on the children's wards. At Ipswich Hospital DanceEast's Community Dance Artist works closely with the Play Specialist Co-ordinator to work out the best type of approach for each individual child. Sessions take place either at the child's bed side, in the play room or the hospital school room.

DanceEast works with businesses and health education authorities in the Eastern region, bridging the gap between art and industry. DanceEast encourages local businesses to take pride in the region's incredible reputation for arts, and a great place to live and work.

International

DanceEast works internationally promoting the borderless nature of dance creativity with projects linking the UK and Cuba. With Cuba, DanceEast has commissioned works for Danza Contemporanea and introduced the company to UK audiences. Current plans include developing the unique curriculum for contemporary dance at the DanceEast Academy for young people aged 10yrs+ and developing a teacher exchange programme.

A range of partners include, Arthur Pita, Rafael Bonachela, Mark Morris Dance Group, Spain's Aracaladanza and the Italian TPO Company. DanceEast aims to share experience and inspiration across communities, countries and cultures.

DanceEast produces the internationally recognised Rural Retreats, think-tanks looking at the future of the art form with existing and  future leaders in the world of dance and ballet. These facilitated sessions have brought guest speakers from the world of business, sport and the arts to interface with the dance leaders and to share experiences and allow opportunities to think 'out of the box' about the place of dance in today's society.

DanceEast Academy

The DanceEast Academy is one of nine National Dance CATs (Centres for Advanced Training) aimed at young people aged 10 - 18 with exceptional potential in dance, funded by the Department for Education. As it is the most intensive and committed of DanceEast's youth activities, training is suited to those who have aspirations to pursue a career as a professional dancer.

The scheme is devised to prepare young dancers for full-time professional dance training and includes tuition in technique, creative and choreography, health education and performance skills, along with theatre trips and workshops. Classes take place at the Jerwood DanceHouse on Sundays with mid-week classes in Ipswich, Norwich or Cambridge. New applications are accepted from young people aged 10 - 15 from the East of England. Grant-funding is available to cover training, transport and dancewear costs. 

The Jerwood DanceHouse

The Jerwood DanceHouse is one of a growing number of centres for dance globally that have been created to reach out to communities and act as magnets for national and international dance artists. This £8.9 million development on the Ipswich waterfront is the cultural hub of the regenerated dockside and a hothouse for the development and presentation of new and emerging dance talent. It houses three dance studios, a 200-seat studio theatre, fitness and Pilates suites, the danceeats! café and the Cake and Catwalk boutique.

Images: Rehearsal shot of Will Tuckett's premiere Pleasure's Progress, a commission for ROH2 performed in June at the DanceHouse, credit Johan Persson; Spin Off Dance Company, credit Wendy Hicks; Just Friends scheme with Gainsborough Library; Ashton Studio, Jerwood DanceHouse, credit Mike Kwasniak.