DanceEast are focusing on nurturing talent and celebrating the potential of youth dance in its Summer Season, as well as featuring work from recently announced DanceEast Associate Artists (2018 – 2020) and welcoming Hofesh Shechter's apprentice group, Shechter II to Ipswich for the first time.
DanceEast Associate Artist, Tim Casson and his company Casson & Friends returns in May with a preview of his new dance show Choreocracy – which will give the audience total control over the performance. Commissioned by DanceEast, Casson collaborates with BAFTA award-winning digital artist Seb Lee-Delisle to guide audiences through the show. Audiences will use mobile technology to control the three dancers in real time, deciding what they should wear, who they should dance with and how fast they should go – their fate will literally be in the audience's hands. Casson will also collaborate with local photographic artist Bill Jackson as part of PhotoEast, with whom DanceEast is partnering for a weekend of free events.
In June Shechter II, Hofesh Shechter's eight-strong apprentice company chosen from inspiring young talent across the world, will perform SHOW, an evening of three acts: The Entrance, Clowns and Exit. Combining Shechter's bold and tribal choreography with a lively score, SHOW revolves around a group of riotous performers as they play their parts in a grisly circus of comedy, murder and desire.
DanceEast is working with the New Wolsey Theatre to programme an evening of new dance as part of its annual PULSE festival with the return of Igor and Moreno. A DanceEast commission, Andante is an invitation to pause and connect with your senses, to be in a room with others and not have to say or even see anything.
Rhiannon Faith presents Smack That (A Conversation), where both performers and non-performers come together to tell their stories of domestic abuse in a turbulent and empowering way. Expect games, dancing, humour and a very honest account of domestic abuse.
Created around the theme 'old and new', Summer Celebration is a showcase presented by DanceEast performance groups. This will be an evening to celebrate with the DanceEast community featuring performances from a vast age range, all sharing their joy of dancing.
In July National Youth Dance Company (NYDC) will bring new commission Used To Be Blonde to the Jerwood DanceHouse with guest Artistic Director Sharon Eyal. This will be the fourth consecutive year that the NYDC have brought their high-quality work and talented dancers to DanceEast. The work will convey extreme emotions through movement in Eyal's signature style and the young dancer's energy and talent will produce a mesmerising experience.
After hosting the U.Dance East Regionals in February to great success, the U.Dance National Festival 2018 will be held at the Jerwood DanceHouse in partnership with One Dance UK. Each year the U.Dance National Festival showcases a selection of the best groups from all over the country. Dancers will also take part in workshops and masterclasses with industry professionals, inspire each other with their love of dance and develop their understanding of the dance sector.
In 2018 the DanceEast Centre for Advanced Training is celebrating its 10th anniversary through a collaboration with Jasmin Vardimon Company. A cast of 80 students will create a new work titled PARK ROAD inspired by the company's professional work PARK.
Alongside a packed programme showcasing the very best up-and-coming talent in dance, DanceEast continues to provide opportunities for everyone to get involved with its Summer Term of classes, Summer Schools and Summer Intensive.
For full listings, more information or to book visit danceeast.co.uk.