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 to support professional development. DanceEast encourages emerging artists, providing a framework of training, support and performance opportunities. DanceEast supports Wayne McGregor | Random Dance and Bonachela Dance Company as Associate Dance Companies, and Isobel Cohen and Heather Eddington as Associate Dance Artists.

DanceEast produces the internationally recognised Rural Retreats, think-tanks looking at the future of the art form with future leaders in the world of dance and ballet.

In the Community

DanceEast runs a variety of dance classes, workshops and short courses, open to all, from tots to teenagers, to the over 60's. The programme includes belly dancing; contemporary and creative dance; ballet; Pilates; yoga and jazz. From classes for people with physical and learning disabilities through to advanced ballet for adults, DanceEast brings opportunities to dance to everyone across East Anglia, and 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. DanceEast brings out the potential of young dancers and gives them a chance to develop their talents.

Working with schools, DanceEast offers a variety of after-school activities, developing the extended schools agenda. We provide excellent resources 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. A range of partners include, Arthur Pita, Rafael Bonachela, Mark Morris Dance Group and the Italian TPO Company. DanceEast aims to share experience and inspiration across communities, countries and cultures.

DanceEast Academy

The DanceEast Academy is a government funded Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) for dance in the East of England. The Academy is part of a nationwide strategy to devolve centres of excellence in regional locations. The aim is to bring outstanding opportunities for exceptional young people to develop their potential, before beginning careers as professional dancers.

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 will be the hothouse for the development and presentation of new and emerging dance talent

The DanceHouse houses three dance studios, a 200-seat flexible space studio theatre, fitness and Pilates suits, the danceeats! café and Dance Vibe dancewear shop.