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# DanceEast unveils three new audience ambassadors to boost dance engagement
- URL: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/danceeast-unveils-three-new-audience-ambassadors-to-boost-dance-engagement/
- Published: 2024-08-01T05:10:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-16T15:38:37.000Z
- Description: DanceEast has appointed three Ipswich residents as Audience Ambassadors to help introduce underrepresented groups to dance performances and experiences.
- Author: Oliver Rouane-Williams
- Tags: News, Dance, Drama, Theatre & Cinema, #article, DanceEast, #Import 2026-03-16 14:46

**Why it matters:** The initiative aims to change misconceptions about dance events by showcasing their accessibility, inclusivity, and affordability.

![Gabrielle Shefford](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/1e/291e4b7f-e551-4458-b546-61963954b22f/content/images/2026/03/1722455903-gabrielle-shefford-edited-edited.png)

Gabrielle Shefford, Audience Ambassador at Dance East (Gabrielle Shefford)

![Millie Powell](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/1e/291e4b7f-e551-4458-b546-61963954b22f/content/images/2026/03/1722455851-millie-powell-edited.png)

Millie Powell, Audience Ambassador at Dance East

![Brian Powlett](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/1e/291e4b7f-e551-4458-b546-61963954b22f/content/images/2026/03/1722454451-brian-powlett-1.jpg)

Brian Powlett Photo: John Ferguson, Audience Ambassador at Dance East (John Ferguson)

**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](https://foylefoundation.org.uk/?ref=ipswich.co.uk).
- 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](https://www.ipswich.co.uk/tag/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](http://www.danceeast.co.uk/?ref=ipswich.co.uk) or call 01473 295230.

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