DanceEast has appointed three Ipswich residents as Audience Ambassadors to help introduce underrepresented groups to dance performances and experiences.
Why it matters: The initiative aims to change misconceptions about dance events by showcasing their accessibility, inclusivity, and affordability.
The new DanceEast Audience Ambassadors
The big picture: The ambassadors will focus on different audience segments:
Gabrielle Shefford will focus on family audiences
Millie Powell will focus on 18-35 year olds
Brian Powlett will focus on global majority audiences
Key details:
The appointments are part of the "Future Dance Audiences" project, funded by Foyle Foundation.
Gabrielle Shefford, who moved to Ipswich with her young children just before lockdown, was immediately impressed by DanceEast's inclusive approach.
Millie Powell, a dance graduate in Ipswich, aims to gather feedback from younger people about their preferences for dance experiences.
Brian Powlett, also of Ipswich, discovered dance "on a whim" and wants to reach out to people who might not typically consider dance shows entertainment.
What they're saying:
Gabrielle Shefford: "I think it's that energy, you just can't replace it with anything else. You feel part of it."
Millie Powell: "Dance is for everyone. Quite a lot of performances are only 1 hr to 1.5 hours. They [friends] want to make a whole evening of it, so trying to find ways of extending the whole experience is important."
Brian Powlett: "What I genuinely like with dance, you're always having to do your own interpretation of things that are going on. There's not a specific narrative and you have to decide for yourself what's happening."
The bottom line: These ambassadors will work to broaden DanceEast's audience base and showcase the diverse appeal of dance performances.
Get involved: For more information on upcoming dance events and performances, visit www.danceeast.co.uk or call 01473 295230.
