Jordan De Bondt recently wrapped up a four-month placement with us at DanceEast through the Career Start programme, a partnership with the Jobcentre, New Wolsey Theatre and Suffolk Community Libraries. A First Class Animation and Visual Effects graduate, Jordan joined us to explore life inside a creative and cultural organisation and quickly got stuck into everything from marketing and events to workshops and digital content. In this blog, he shares more about his creative journey, what he learnt during his time here, and how the placement helped him reconnect with his creativity and confidence.
My Artistic Journey
Creativity is such a huge part of my identity. Throughout my life, I have explored many forms of art, from illustration, photography, video editing, and most recently 3D modelling. Being an avid lover of film, I pursued an education in Visual Effects at Norwich University of Arts and graduated with a first-class bachelor’s degree.
After graduation, I spent a lot of my free time building a portfolio and applying for artist roles in the film/game industry. However, due to constant rejections and applying a perfectionist mindset into my work, I suffered a major artistic burnout. On top of that, I was also working in between multiple warehouse roles, which offered little to no creative thinking whatsoever, it really took a toll on my mental wellbeing.
A Creative Opportunity
After being out of work for the better part of 2025 and slowly regaining the confidence to create again, I spent most of the year connecting with the jobcentre and continued looking for work. It was there that I learned about the creative career start placement. The jobcentre offered the chance for three people to take part in a four-month traineeship, taking place at Ipswich County Library, New Wolsey Theatre, and of course, DanceEast. It was a program specialised in supporting people that struggled to find work in the creative and cultural industry, it would work as a starting point for creative individuals and help them build skills that would benefit their future career. Being a creative person myself, I couldn’t pass up this opportunity.
Out of all the tours I went on, DanceEast was the one that stood out to me the most. I loved the layout and social environment that was conveyed, and being a VFX graduate, I was thrilled to find out about the green screen studio. It had never crossed my mind that dance and VFX could be implemented to this degree. I was fascinated. I feel very fortunate that DanceEast have given me the opportunity to get my start into the creative and cultural sector.
Benefits of the Placement
Everyone in this community has welcomed me with such joyous energy. I have been introduced to so many different aspects of dance. I have engaged with a variety of communities and artists, all celebrating the freedom of movement in their own vision. Ever since I started my placement back in January, I have taken part in events, shows, classes, workshops, and have even been able to explore the digital side of dance as well. All of this has really broadened my perspective on dance as an art form.
I feel very fortunate that I’ve been able to meet so many people in such a short span of time. The staff and communities have brought me in like I was one of their own. Thanks to them, I have engaged with many different departments of the studio, giving me a boost in confidence with working in a creative workspace. I’ve also had the pleasure of travelling to other venues to view the wider world of performing arts and to expand my network with like-minded artists. It such a wonderful feeling to be embraced by such a creative community, DanceEast have truly given me the ultimate welcome package.
The skills I’ve developed
I have learnt so much during my placement. The marketing team have shown me how to be an engaging and inviting voice with creating newsletters, expressing interest to people for upcoming events, as well as creating content for their social media accounts implementing editing software and photography.
The creative team have shown me the ins and outs of project development. I’ve had the chance to share my voice in meetings, assist in events/workshops with engaging enthusiasm, and have even been tasked with my own responsibilities to further support projects.
My hospitality skills have increased as well thanks to the sales and admin team. I have played my part in supporting the front desk team with managing bookings/registers and aiding customer queries. Additionally, I was able to provide some support in ushering for performances, which in its own way was a unique experience.
What next for me?
With my placement coming to an end, the biggest question is: what’s next for me? Right now, I’m still unsure, but that uncertainty feels exciting. It reminds me that I’m not limited to one career path. As a highly visual person, I may rediscover my passion for 3D modelling or pursue a career in photography, the sky’s the limit! What I do know for certain, however, is that I want to keep working in creative environments. I’m hopeful about the opportunities ahead and plan to use this experience to grow my network and put myself out there more than I ever did before.
I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity everyone at DanceEast and the Jobcentre has given me. My time here has been engaging, enlightening, and truly unforgettable. I’ll greatly miss working with everyone, but I don’t intend on being a stranger. I’d be happy to return as a volunteer in my spare time and apply for any future roles at the studio. Working with DanceEast has reignited my passion to create again, and with the support I’ve received, I feel a massive flow of confidence in pursuing my next chapter.
Thank you DanceEast for making me feel like a valued member of your team.
Photography by Jordan De Bondt, DanceEast and Alexander Ward.
