DanceEast
Based in the
East of England, DanceEast is one of the nation’s leading dance organisations.
DanceEast
brings world-class dance to the East of England, working in partnership with
theatres throughout the region. Past programmes include Sylvie Guillem, Akram
Khan, George Piper Dances, Rafael Bonachela, Random Dance, Rambert Dance
Company, Mark Morris Dance Group and many other internationally renowned dance
artists. We aim to present an eclectic programme of dance performance of
different genres, widening the experience of our audiences whilst bringing a
new and invigorated audience to dance.
DanceEast takes dance to villages and communities with no access to dance performance through an annual rural tour, bringing acclaimed dancers and imaginative theatre experiences to new and young audiences, backed up with an extensive educational programme.We aim to bring intimacy and involvement to our new audiences, to inspire and enthral with these exciting experiences.
DanceEast works with dance artists in the region, bringing in established choreographers and renowned dance companies to support their professional development. We aim to encourage new talent and emerging artists, providing a framework of training, support and performance opportunities. We support Random Dance as our Associate Dance Company and Rafael Bonachela and Maresa Von Stockert 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.
DanceEast promotes dance with a variety of community dance classes, workshops and short courses, open to all. Our programme includes hip hop, flamenco, belly dancing, contemporary and creative dance, ballet, pilates, yoga and jazz. We have classes from tots to teens to over 55s. From classes for people with physical and learning disabilities through to advanced ballet for adults, DanceEast aims to bring the opportunity to dance to everyone across East Anglia, and to promote dance as a pastime for fun and for fitness for everybody.
DanceEast co-ordinates a range of youth dance companies in Suffolk, bringing emerging and talented new dancers professional choreographers and expert tuition as well as opportunities to perform at national and regional platforms. From break dance to ballet, we aim to bring out the potential of our young dancers and give them a chance to develop their talents.
DanceEast manages the DanceEast Academy, a government-funded regional Centre for Advanced Training for dance. The DanceEast Academy is our part of a nationwide strategy to devolve centres of excellence in the regions. We aim to bring outstanding opportunities for exceptional young people to develop their potential before beginning careers as professional dancers.
DanceEast’s new home, the £8.5 million Jerwood DanceHouse on Ipswich’s waterfront, is due to open in 2009. The Jerwood DanceHouse will be the cultural hub of re-vamped dockside. This will be our regional hothouse for the development and presentation of new and emerging talent, housing three dance studios, a 200-seat studio theatre, fitness suite, bar, café and dancewear shop. The Jerwood DanceHouse will give unrivalled access to dance opportunities, from performance through to participation for the whole community.
DanceEast works with schools, offering a variety of after-school activities and developing the extended schools agenda. We take professional dance workshops into schools and run special schools workshops and performances. We provide excellent resources for schools to develop the teaching of dance in schools as part of the national curriculum, including the acclaimed DVD Soil Dances for Key Stage 2. We aim to support dance education within the school environment and to widen 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. We aim to give these young people a chance to explore their emotions and their potential through the medium of dance.
DanceEast works with businesses and health education authorities in the region to promote dance as health and fitness, bringing weekly classes into the workplace, in a dynamic ‘fit for work’ initiative. We aim to bridge the gap between art and industry and to encourage local businesses to take part and to take pride in the Eastern region’s incredible reputation for arts and a great place to live and work.
DanceEast works internationally across cultures. We promote borderless creativity with projects linking Britain and Cuba, and we celebrate the cultural diversity within our own region with projects involving the Portuguese community. Working with such acclaimed choreographers as Arthur Pita and Rafael Bonachela, we aim to share experience and inspiration across communities, countries and cultures.