The Dance Space: How it started, how it's going

Q. How are you feeling about being so close to starting work on the interior of The Dance Space?

A. More than a decade in planning and fundraising, one global pandemic, and many inevitable hurdles, stops and starts later, it feels almost unreal! 

When I started working at South East Dance, with then Chief Executive Jamie Watton who first started to realise a vision for a new home for dance in the city, I couldn’t have imagined that five years later I would be working to realise that vision - taking on one of my biggest professional challenges yet.

But I wouldn’t change a thing. And I am so proud and excited to be playing a role in bringing this beautiful, accessible and sustainable dance house to life.

Q. What does the interior fit out actually mean? What happens next?

A. In the new year, we’ll start installing the theatre sound and lighting and retractable seating in The Jamie Watton Creation Space, as well as furnishing the office spaces, meetings rooms and common areas.  We will be doing all of this with accessibility and environmental sustainability at the heart of our thinking.

We’ll also be equipping the dance studios, furnishing meeting rooms, changing rooms and the green room, our office, the foyer and breakout areas and generally making the whole building a welcoming, eco-friendly space. 

Q. How long will the fit out take?

A. The fit-out works will take us up until April 2022, when we’ll begin ‘testing’ the space with the people and organisations who will be using it, to make sure everything is working just right before we open to the public in the Summer.

Q. Can you say yet exactly when that public opening will be?

A. Almost but not quite! We hope to be able to announce that public opening date in the new year, so to coin a phrase you might have heard a lot from us in recent months and years: Watch this space!!