Zoë Leigh Gadd launched Dance Ahead in 2008 with the aim to broaden theatre audiences in Carlisle. Initial Commercial ventures included fashion events, TV advertising campaigns, living window displays and street theatre in collaboration with Sara Gadd Millinery and The Lanes Shopping Centre. Between 2015-2020 Zoë collaborated with a broader range of practitioners as Dance Ahead grew to deliver non-for profit larger-scale community productions such as #HiddenSpaces15 and The Glass House. Through Dance Ahead, Zoë has designed and delivered over 25 projects including a broad range of participatory arts events that brought together people all walks of life across sectors, generations and contexts.

Dance Ahead brings dance theatre off the stage and into the public domain with a view to raising awareness of the beauty of the art form, whilst celebrating the benefits of creative collaboration. Founder, Zoë strongly believes that collaboration leads to fruitful exchange, growth and communities of practice.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Dance Ahead, Opportunity, Professional Development, Working as an artist

September 12, 2025 / comments 4

Share the stage with Ceyda Tanc Dance!

UPCOMING EVENTS – 2026

CTD CURTAIN RAISER PROJECT – WOMEN’S CLASSES IN CARLISLE

14th January| 19:00 – 21:00 | Studio MB1050 | University of Cumbria, Brampton Road Campus, Carlisle

21st January| 19:00 – 21:00 | Studio MB1050 | University of Cumbria, Brampton Road Campus, Carlisle

28th January| 19:00 – 21:00 | Studio MB1050 | University of Cumbria, Brampton Road Campus, Carlisle

4th February| 19:00 – 21:00 | Studio MB1050 | University of Cumbria, Brampton Road Campus, Carlisle

11th February| 19:00 – 21:00 | Studio MB1050 | University of Cumbria, Brampton Road Campus, Carlisle

25th February| 19:00 – 21:00 | Studio MB1050 | University of Cumbria, Brampton Road Campus, Carlisle

4th March| 19:00 – 21:00 | Gilsland Village Hall (to be confirmed)

11th March| 19:00 – 21:00 | Gilsland Village Hall (to be confirmed)

TO SIGN UP EMAIL: info@danceahead.co.uk

CURTAIN RAISER PERFORMANCE, GILSLAND

14th March| times tbc | Gilsland Village Hall (details to be confirmed)

Ticket info coming in the new year

CLASSES IN KENDAL

18th March | 18:45 – 19:45 | Get Moving | Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal

25th March | 18:45 – 19:45 | Get Moving | Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal

BOOK HERE

A chance to connect with our bodies internally, externally, individually and collectively. Drawing from an eclectic range of approaches to contemporary dance, improvisation and theatre, along with the people in the room, the sessions aim to inspire curiosity and encourage freedom of expression.

For me Zoë’s class was a kinesthetic exploration and celebration. Playing with the grammar and punctuation of the body; discovering the nuances of our body language. In a safe joyful space.

Catriona Messenger / DADT Participant

Fascinating and pertinent thematic content. The juxtaposition of greed, hope, wealth, poverty, desire, rejection was thought provoking to watch. This piece is firmly relevant in the social context that we all currently share.

Audience Member / The Glass House

Oh my God! That was heartbreaking…extraordinary…beautiful!

Audience Member TBTL / Sorry for your Loss

It was fabulous. I enjoyed it SO much. Everything about It was inspirational. Including watching a beautiful 88 year old lady tap dance. It’s what I have been looking for for years. A place where I can dare to dance, learn to dance, use it as expression, learn from others, be where I am at with dance when it wasn’t part of my younger life and is now something new and emerging and all with someone who is talented, open and encouraging.

It was a privilege and a joy to be with you. I am SO glad you are back in Cumbria.

Amanda Mudge / DADT Participant

Engaging with #HiddenSpaces15 is like being taken to a dreamlike realm where one feels at the same time alien and yet simultaneously welcome.

Adam Hughes / Reviewer

The piece will help anyone who has experienced grief feel heard and seen…I found it scary…in a good way! It was very confronting.

Audience Member TBTL / Sorry for your Loss

Very striking – fab dark, oppressive atmosphere created by the actors – loved the attention to detail in the costume and props! Great story-telling and uneasy moments – kept us on our toes. Excellent dance and music too – Thanks for an unpredictable,freaky treat!!

Audience Feedback / #HiddenSpaces15

Thoroughly enjoyable – The interactivity made the piece.

Audience Feedback / #HiddenSpaces15

Very intriguing – amazing space and fantastic use of it – very DV8!!! Loved how the music felt almost film-like – a soundscape, not a track starts here, finishes there – everything felt continuous. I could see the process had been intense – wish I could have been a part of it!! Fabulous lift sections – esp. café section – wanted to join in! The interaction with the audience was good but could have taken more.

Audience Feedback / #HiddenSpaces15

It made me really upset about the plight of women then and now and that line between sanity and insanity brought on by a hopeless situation! It really disturbed and made me feel sick. Very powerful!

Audience Feedback / #HiddenSpaces15