DanceEast unveils three new audience ambassadors to boost dance engagement

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.