Established dance company finds home in Norfolk
Internationally renowned dance company Springs has relocated to Norfolk beginning a new chapter in their 45-year history.
Springs Dance Company is a professional dance organisation creating faith-inspired work for church, theatre, school and community settings. For over 45 years, they have been touring work internationally and across the UK, as well as becoming leaders in the delivery of cross-curricular RE and dance workshops.
Following the pandemic, they took the decision to relocate to East Anglia, and began a new chapter in their story, whilst continuing their commitment to making dance which connects, nurtures and inspires communities.
Since arriving here, they have enjoyed forming new partnerships engaging with local artists, venues and organisations, including bringing their highly acclaimed Christmas show, Journey of the Magi to Thetford in late November 2023.
Artistic Director Ruth Hughes said: “We were delighted to be awarded funding from the Arts Council England to develop a new piece, Jump In working in collaboration with two primary schools and public libraries in Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft. The result was a 20-minute piece of joyful, child inspired dance, performed in the libraries, which ignited the children’s imagination and grew their confidence around books.”
In June, the company are bringing their interactive dance workshop, PARABLE, to primary schools in Norfolk and the Waveney Valley. Up to 900 local school children will be given the experience of exploring three of the parables Jesus told in an imaginative, innovative and exciting way, learning creatively and away from their desks. This project has been generously supported by grants from the Keswick Hall Trust, and the Anne French Memorial Trust, thereby enabling the costs to the schools to be kept to a minimum.
Springs are currently busy delivering Easter workshops at schools across the country, and planning their five-day Summer Intensive course, which is open to beginners and advanced dancers alike, and offers participants the opportunity to meet to discuss, share, create, pray, encounter, grow, worship, heal, strengthen, and explore together.
In the autumn, they head back out on tour with their poignant production of A Time to Mourn, A Time to Dance, based on Ecclesiastes 3 A Time for Everything.
“Born out of the contrasting emotions of joy and grief experienced during the pandemic, this piece allows people to come together in a safe space where they can reflect on loss and celebrate life in an open and supportive environment. Each audience member is connected through watching the piece together, no longer isolated in their own personal experience, and will leave feeling uplifted, seen and valued,” said Ruth.
For more information on the work of Springs, how to become a supporter or to find out how to book Springs to come to your church, school or venue, please visit: springsdancecompany.org.uk
or contact: info@springsdancecompany.org.uk or call: 07775 628 442
images courtesy of Springs credit: Ruth Hughes (top) and Dougie Evans (inset)