Young Producer
DANCE EAST
Ipswich
Full-time
16th March 2026
Listed today
YOUNG PRODUCERS INFORMATION PACK February 2026 Photo Credit: Malachy Luckie KEY DETAILS: Position: Young Producer (four positions) Purpose: as one of six Young Producers, you will organise DanceEast’s one-day youth dance festival at the Jerwood DanceHouse, Ipswich Who we are looking for: six Young Producers. This opportunity is ideally suited for young people based in the East of England aged 16-25 years Commitment: April to November 2026 (please see more information below) Payment: £1,100 in total, plus contributions towards travel expenses (if required) Young Producers will be responsible for paying tax and National Insurance contributions, if applicable. Role & Responsibilities: As a Young Producer, you’ll be part of the team that makes YouthFest 2026 happen. From the first ideas to the big day itself. You’ll plan, organise and deliver the festival, working with other young people, artists and DanceEast staff. Along the way, you’ll take part in toolkit training sessions to build your skills, have planning meetings to shape the event, and be hands-on during the festival. You’ll also help gather ideas and feedback from other young people through focus groups and conversations and contribute to the festival’s promotion, sharing your ideas for how to spread the word and reach new audiences. During the project you will be responsible for representing DanceEast through emails, meetings and communications with external networks and communities. Afterwards, you’ll reflect with the team on the whole experience and what could be even better next time. No experience needed - just energy, ideas, and a willingness to get stuck in! When do I need to be available? You’ll need to be able to commit to the project between April and November 2026. Here’s how it breaks down: Upskilling Toolkits (April & May) Between April and May, you’ll take part in: Page | 2 • Three 2-hour Toolkit sessions led by industry professionals. These are fun, practical sessions to help build your skills in planning, producing, and promoting events. • A 4-hour Planning Day to get to know the team at DanceEast and begin planning with your fellow Young Producers. • You’ll also get the chance to attend one day at First Light Festival in Lowestoft (20–21 June) to get inspired. Your travel costs will be covered (if needed). Exact session dates will be confirmed once the Young Producers have been selected. Planning YouthFest (June - September) From June to September, you’ll: • Join team planning meetings (approximately once a week) to plan the festival and shape what it will look and feel like. • Work independently, and together with the team between meetings to bring YouthFest to life. • Meet and consult with local community groups to help shape YouthFest. Festival Set Up (Friday 16 October) You’ll be required (outside of education hours) to set up the event, ready for the big day. Festival Day! (Saturday 17 October) You’ll deliver YouthFest – the big event! It’s a full-day youth dance festival, led and produced by you and the rest of the team. Wrap-Up & Reflection (November) After the festival, we’ll have a short debrief meeting to reflect on what went well, what you learned, and how we can make it even better next time. MORE INFORMATION: ABOUT DANCEEAST DanceEast believes in the power of dance to bring people together, improve wellbeing, and inspire creativity. Based at the Jerwood DanceHouse in Ipswich, we work across the East of England and beyond to get people moving – whether that’s dancing, creating, or experiencing great performances. Page | 3 We’re all about making dance exciting, inclusive, and accessible. Every year, we reach thousands of people through performances, workshops, and community projects, including work in schools and health settings. We also support the next generation of dancers and creatives through training and mentoring. Artists of all kinds – including those who are underrepresented – can access space, support, and advice to help develop their careers. At DanceEast, we use new tech, fresh ideas, and strong partnerships to shape the future of dance – and we’re proud to host projects like YouthFest, where young people lead the way. ABOUT YOUTHFEST YouthFest is a dance festival created by young people, for young people. It’s all about giving you the chance to lead – from planning performances and workshops to sorting out the behind-the-scenes and getting the community involved. The festival brings together a mix of dance styles and focuses on making everything fun, accessible, and inclusive. It’s your space to be creative, make your voice heard, and show what young people in Ipswich and beyond can do. Whether you're into performing, organising, or just being part of something exciting, YouthFest is a chance to build confidence, develop new skills, and help shape the culture in your area. You can have a closer look at previous YouthFest events on Instagram @danceeast WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR? Whether you’re taking regular dance classes, love dancing in your room and making up moves to your favourite songs, or just have a passion about dance, this opportunity is for you! WHAT WILL YOU GAIN? By taking part in YouthFest, you will develop key skills in project management, leadership, and communication, while building confidence through collaboration and decision-making. You will have the chance to express your creativity by shaping the festival’s day, gain valuable experience to boost your CV and future opportunities, and make a real impact to your community by creating an event that reflects the voices of local youth. Page | 4 WHAT NEXT? Complete the following online form: https://www.danceeast.co.uk/young- producers-application/ We welcome all types of applications that showcase your creativity in the best possible way. You can either submit written responses, a video, or a voice note. Once you have submitted the online form, you might be invited to meet the DanceEast team for an informal conversation on Monday 23 March, at DanceEast. Please contact, Hayley Lemon (Interim Programme Manager) hayley.lemon@danceeast.co.uk | 01473 295245 if you want to find out more, or have any questions. Deadline to apply: Monday 16 March | 5.00pm Informal conversations: Monday 23 March, at DanceEast, Jerwood DanceHouse, IP4 1DW Photo Credit: Malachy Luckie Page | 5