DanceEast is one of the nation’s leading dance organisations, bringing world-class dance to the East of England while working in partnership with theatres throughout the region. Past programmes have included many internationally renowned dance artists. They 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.
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.
DanceEast also takes dance to villages and communities, who have 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. Their aim is to bring intimacy and involvement to 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. The aim is to encourage new talent and emerging artists, providing a framework of training, support and performance opportunities.
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. Programmes include hip hop, flamenco, belly dancing, contemporary and creative dance, ballet, pilates, yoga and jazz. With 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 dancing to ballet, they aim to bring out the potential of young dancers and give them a chance to develop their talents.
DanceEast manages the DanceEastAcademy, a government-funded regional Centre for Advanced Training for Dance. The DanceEastAcademy is part of a nationwide strategy to devolve centres of excellence in the regions. They aim to bring outstanding opportunities for exceptional young people to develop their potential before beginning careers as professional dancers.
DanceEast works with schools, offering a variety of after-school activities and developing the extended schools agenda. They take professional dance workshops into schools and run special schools’ workshops and performances. Providing an excellent resources for schools to develop the teaching of dance as part of the national curriculum, including the acclaimed DVD Soil Dances for Key Stage 2. They 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. They 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. They 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, they aim to share experience and inspiration across communities, countries and cultures.
