ABOUT
DANCE AHEAD CIC
Community-centred dance theatre across the North
We create inclusive movement and theatre experiences that build connection, belonging and creative confidence. Through participatory sessions, collaborative performance and embodied exploration, we bring people together to move, create and share.
Based in Carlisle and working across Cumbria & the North of England, Dance Ahead CIC supports adults of all backgrounds to engage with dance theatre in welcoming, accessible environments.
What We Do
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Participatory movement sessions
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Community curtain-raiser and performance projects
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Site-responsive and immersive theatre experiences
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Educational workshops & creative projects
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Shared cultural experiences and theatre visits
DANCE AHEAD CIC
CURRENT FOCUS
CURRENT FOCUS
AN AUTUMN OF NEW OPPORTUNITIES, CONNECTION AND CREATIVE ADVENTURES
As we move into autumn, Dance Ahead CIC is continuing to grow its programme of creative activity across Carlisle, Cumbria and beyond.
From new performance opportunities and playful participation to city-centre events, workshops and international exchange, there are plenty of ways to discover our work, take part and connect with us over the coming months.
THE HUMAN PLAYGROUND · 18+
Play. Connect. Move.
The Human Playground is Dance Ahead CIC’s developing programme of playful movement, theatre and shared creative exploration for adults.
In a world that can often feel fast-paced and disconnected, it offers something different: a welcoming space where curiosity, creativity and connection can grow through movement, imagination and responsive group play.
“The memory and repetition games stimulated both my brain and my body.”
— Participant, Carlisle
Our autumn programme continues with a mixture of open-level themed sessions.
In September, we explored the playful world of the fairground as part of World Fun Fair Month;
October brings Carlisle’s Big Thrill with open workshop rehearsals ahead of the big event;
November turns towards play and delivery further afield with inflatable objects in Almada, Portugal and an off-site edition at Windermere Jetty Museum.
Further Announcements for monthly sessions coming soon | Adults 18+
PERFORM WITH DANCE AHEAD
Join our growing performer network
We’re currently expanding our pool of freelance performers for forthcoming opportunities across Carlisle and North Cumbria.
We’re particularly interested in artists with experience in:
Character and physical theatre · Dance and movement · Clowning and improvisation · Interactive and roaming performance
We’d also love to hear from musicians who enjoy character work, particularly violinists.
Current opportunities include Halloween and festive events, walkabout performance and future Dance Ahead commissions.
Applicants should be 18+, self-employed and based in Carlisle, North Cumbria or within reasonable travelling distance.
Fees vary according to the scale and funding of each opportunity. Where Dance Ahead secures a direct commission or subsidy, we aim to work towards recognised industry rates and advocate with partners for fair pay wherever possible.
BIG THRILL · CARLISLE
A city-centre Halloween dance experience
Dance Ahead CIC is currently developing BIG THRILL, a participatory Halloween dance experience for Carlisle city centre.
Inspired by one of popular culture’s most recognisable dances, the event will invite individuals, groups and organisations to learn the choreography and come together for a large-scale shared performance.
You won’t need to be an experienced dancer to take part. Participants will be supported with rehearsal materials and opportunities to practise ahead of the event.
30–31 October 2026 | Carlisle City Centre
REGISTER FOR CARLISLE’S BIG THRILL
DO THE DOODLE
Drawing, movement and imagination
Do the Doodle brings together movement, mark-making and playful creative exploration.
Following its Carlisle pilot, the project is continuing to develop through new pop-up and event-based opportunities.
This September, we’re preparing a new Do the Doodle experience as part of the Carlisle Weekender, inviting people to drop in, draw, move and experiment with us.
Save the dates: 26-27 September 2026
More details coming soon.
WINDERMERE JETTY MUSEUM
Embodied: The Making of a Windermere Skiff
On Wednesday 4 November, Zoë will lead a special Human Playground workshop at Windermere Jetty Museum.
Responding to Line Packer’s temporary exhibition Embodied: The Making of a Windermere Skiff, the session will explore our physical relationship to making, craft, boats and water.
Drawing on movement, imagination and shared creative exploration, participants will be invited to consider how the body responds to materials, processes and the act of making.
Wednesday 4 November | Windermere Jetty Museum
B>LAB · PORTUGAL
The Human Playground — Playing with Possibility
This October, The Human Playground travels internationally as part of Quinzena de Dança de Almada in Portugal.
Zoë will lead a B>Lab exploring play, movement and human connection as tools for creative discovery, fusing techniques from Camila Almeida’s exploration with inflatable objects.
The workshop grows from her ongoing practice through Dance Ahead CIC and her work as an Artistic Collaborator with Barcelona International Dance Exchange.
Through games, improvisation and shared movement exploration, participants will be invited to experiment, respond and ask:
What happens when we stop trying to know what comes next — and begin by asking: What if?
WOODLAND WONDERS
Imagination, nature and community care
Woodland Wonders invites children and their grown-ups to imagine, create and care for a kinder, greener Carlisle.
Throughout the summer, participants became Woodland Wonderers: curious and caring members of the community discovering how small actions can make a positive difference.
Following our community litter pick and creative story trail at Kingmoor North Nature Reserve, the project continued through a six-week pilot at Carlisle Open-Air Markets.
We’re now reflecting on what we learned from the pilot and exploring how Woodland Wonders can continue to grow.
CULTURAL ACTIVATION PORTFOLIO
Bring Dance Ahead to your space
Are you planning a festival, school project, community programme, town-centre event or creative activation?
Our Cultural Activation Portfolio introduces our current performances, workshops, walkabout characters and place-responsive projects, with examples of how we can help animate spaces and bring people together.
To request a copy, email info@danceahead.co.uk with Cultural Activation Portfolio in the subject line.
MORE WAYS TO MOVE, CREATE AND CONNECT
YOUTH ENGAGEMENT
Creative workshops for children and young people aged 5–18
Drawing on twenty years of experience in education, we offer joyful and imaginative workshops combining storytelling, movement, performance games and creative play.
Sessions can be adapted for schools, community groups, festivals and youth settings, helping participants build confidence, spark curiosity and connect with their creativity.
Dates are available for schools, community groups and youth organisations.
LIVE WELL
Movement, singing and connection for people living with dementia
Join Zoë for a welcoming afternoon of singing, movement, conversation and refreshments at Currock Community Centre.
These free monthly sessions support social connection, creativity and wellbeing and are kindly supported by The Hadfield Trust, Age UK North Cumbria and Rotary in Carlisle.
Second Tuesday of each month | 1–3pm
Currock Community Centre, Carlisle
For further details, email info@currockcc.co.uk or call 01228 591868.
FESTIVE ACTIVITIES
Dance Ahead characters will also be appearing as part of festive events this winter.
We’re currently developing the performances and assembling the teams.
Further details will be announced soon.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
About Dance Ahead
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
Audience Member / The Glass House
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
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
OUR WORK
Sharing stories through movement : Building belonging together