Anthony Missen appointed as DanceEast Chief Executive & Creative Director

Anthony Missen will join DanceEast as Chief Executive & Creative Director in Autumn 2025 following a competitive recruitment process. Led by Trustees and involving Arts Council England, this saw DanceEast receive expressions of interest and applications from the UK and internationally. Anthony’s appointment follows Brendan Keaney OBE’s announcement that he will step down from the organisation this summer.

Anthony joins DanceEast from Company Chameleon, which he co-founded in Manchester in 2007 and where he is Co-Artistic Director.

An Arts Council England NPO, Company Chameleon has a full-time international touring company, presenting over 50 indoor and outdoor performances annually. Its building, with four studios and a theatre, hosts two Youth Dance companies, participatory and artist development programmes, professional classes, and commissioning opportunities.  

Anthony trained at Northern School of Contemporary Dance and has worked with companies including Scottish Dance Theatre, and choreographers including Didi Veldman and Liv Lorent. He has Movement Directed plays for the National Theatre and The Royal Exchange and was Series Movement Director for Everything I Know About Love (BBC One 2021/22) and Fool Me Once (Netflix 2024).

Anthony has taught at major dance institutions throughout the UK and in countries across the world. He is a Clore Fellow, an accredited coach, and a prominent member of influential networks. These include Dance Consortia North-West, Greater Manchester Culture Steering Group, and the UK Dance network. He is a Board Director of Without Walls.

On joining DanceEast, Anthony says:  

"I’m honoured to take on the role of Chief Executive & Creative Director of DanceEast and build on Brendan’s remarkable legacy. DanceEast has cemented its position as a beacon of bold creativity, and as a critical part of the UK Dance infrastructure. 

I’ve long admired the vital work it does in providing life-enhancing dance experiences for people from all walks of life and look forward to sharing the best of me in working with and learning from the communities it serves.

I’m incredibly excited to lead DanceEast in its next chapter, working with the team to preserve and champion what it does best, to innovate for its future, and for the future of the art form.”

Shreela Ghosh, Chair of DanceEast’s Board of Trustees, says:

“DanceEast is delighted to welcome Anthony who will lead us forward into the next stage in our development. Anthony has an enviable track record of developing dance in Manchester, and he is building a reputation as a cultural leader and entrepreneur. Anthony has an impressive background as a choreographer and performer – he is much in demand in the UK and internationally. We were inspired by Anthony’s bold vision for DanceEast, which was also inclusive and compelling.”

Brendan Keaney OBE, DanceEast’s outgoing Artistic Director & Chief Executive, says:

“Despite the challenges in the cultural funding landscape, this role remains one of the best jobs in dance. DanceEast is a fantastic organisation, and fortunately the Board has secured a fantastic person to join as Chief Executive & Creative Director. Not only does Anthony bring a wealth of dance expertise, he also shares the values that make DanceEast a special place for audiences, participants, and employees. He will build on our already outstanding programme to ensure a bright future for dance in the East of England. When I announced my retirement, I said the best was yet to come. I have no doubt that will be the case.”

Anthony joins DanceEast in October, and will be relocating from Manchester to Suffolk for the role.