About Wavelengths

Wavelengths is a festival of movement, dance and performance that brings the body into public space and across cultural venues. From theatres and cinemas to streets, beaches and skateparks, Wavelengths presents work that activates place and reimagines how performance is encountered.

The festival creates opportunities for artists to make bold, site-responsive and audience-facing work, and for audiences to experience movement in environments they already inhabit. Wavelengths is interested in performance that is immediate, physical and present — work that meets people where they are and transforms everyday spaces into places of encounter.

Alongside public performances, Wavelengths supports the performance community through artist development, workshops and knowledge-sharing, building long-term relationships between artists, producers and audiences. The festival operates as both a platform for presentation and a space for experimentation, dialogue and exchange.

Wavelengths believes in performance without walls, in bodies in motion, and in the power of live encounter.

Out Reach: James Middleton

Production Manager: Tina Dezart

Marketing and Social Media: Common Tongue, Jacob Bray, Hannah Prizeman and Ezzie Schwartz

The organisations

1DegreeEast is a producer-led arts organisation that supports artists, producers, and programmers to create ambitious, high quality theatre, dance and outdoor events and festivals through mentoring & advice, practical support to develop projects and producing new work.Strangelove Festival

Strangelove Festival is a nomadic project and unique festival bridging the gap between time-based genres. From art videos, experimental film and conventional cinema, to sound and performance works - Strangelove Festival celebrates the diversity of time-based media, with a programme of exhibitions, screenings, commissioned works, talks and performances.

Our collaborators

SCREEN SOUTH

Screen South is a not for profit cultural development organisation with digital creativity at its heart. Working with partners across a range of digital and creative projects in arts, heritage and on screen. Focusing on nurturing a diverse range of new talent with training and progression opportunities as well as generating new productions, showcases and exhibitions. They have considerable expertise in filmmaking for broadcast, talent development and training as well as cultural project Management and have a successful track record for nurturing emerging talent and promoting new voices.

Our Mission

Wavelengths is an artist-led platform for dance, performance and interdisciplinary practice based in Folkestone.

We believe dance has the power to bring people together, create dialogue and transform the way we experience places, communities and one another. Through performance, film, workshops, conversations and participation, Wavelengths creates meaningful encounters between artists, audiences and communities.

Rooted in Folkestone's unique coastal landscape, the festival extends beyond traditional theatres into galleries, public spaces, beaches and unexpected locations, inviting audiences to encounter movement as part of everyday life.

At the heart of Wavelengths is a commitment to supporting opportunity across generations. We champion the work of established artists while creating pathways for emerging practitioners, young dancers and local communities to learn, participate and develop alongside one another. We believe that artistic excellence and accessibility are not opposites but essential partners in building a vibrant cultural ecology.

Collaboration lies at the centre of everything we do. Wavelengths brings together choreographers, filmmakers, musicians, visual artists, researchers and performers to share ideas, challenge disciplines and develop new ways of making work. Our growing partnerships with organisations including Screen South, Sadler's Wells Digital Stage and the National Youth Dance Company reflect our ambition to connect Folkestone with wider national and international conversations in contemporary dance and performance.

While rooted in a particular place, Wavelengths looks outward. We seek to create lasting relationships between artists and audiences, local communities and international practice, believing that meaningful cultural exchange begins with generosity, curiosity and shared experience.

More than a festival, Wavelengths is an evolving platform for artistic exchange, creating opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to encounter, participate in and shape the future of dance.

The Team

Wavelengths is co-founded by Matthew Jones, Roberta Spicer and Terry Smith

Roberta Spicer joined 1DegreeEast at the start in 2018, working alongside Matthew & Rebekah to launch the company. Roberta now works with numerous artists and organisations and supports a plethora of 1DegreeEast clients, including Ballo Arthur Pita, Revolution Arts, Vinicius Salles and Mercury Creatives in Colchester.

Matthew Jones is co-founder of 1DegreeEast and a creative producer, who has worked in theatre and dance for over 25 years.He has overseen over seventy productions, including co-productions with the Royal Opera House, National Theatre and Sadler’s Wells,and is also currently the Executive Director of Ballo Arthur Pita.

Terry Smith is a multi-disciplinary artist, co-director of Strangelove Festival and Venice Agendas. His installation work includes projects at the British Museum, MACBA Barcelona and The Drawing Center in NY. He has been working with live art since 2008, focused on performance but he is also studio based.

James Middleton is a performer, and dance faciliator