Hit The Ground Running Dance Theatre Company

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Hit The Ground Running Dance Theatre Company

HTGRDTC is a award winning innovative dance and physical theatre company Directed by Michael John Heatley

Hit the ground running is a innovative dance and physical theatre company established by choreographer Michael Heatley. The company's aim is to produce dynamic, thought provoking performances for a wide variety of audiences young and old.

22/06/2026

Planning is underway for our UK to USA 2027 tour of ‘Suitcases’

We are delighted to continue collaborating with Jon Crispin Jon Crispin
And sharing our work with new audiences across the pond at Cornell Performing & Media Art

Image credit
Dancers Connor Gribben lila🔥
Location Victoria Baths
‘Suitcases’ 2025 tour was funded and supported by Arts Council England North Shields Cultural Quarter

26/05/2026

Today we celebrate a special milestone - 10 years since the premiere of “Macho”!

On 26/05/16 at Dance City, we launched our first work in a powerful trilogy addressing the stigmas around mental health.
An all-male dance theatre work that highlights the challenges and perceptions related to men’s mental well-being.

Image credit
Dancers

Funded and supported by

22/05/2026

🎉EXCITING NEWS UPDATE 🎉

We have just received confirmation from Cornell University Ithaca USA that we have received funding from Cornell Council for the Arts (CCA grant program) to deliver a series of workshops and performances of ‘Suitcases’ in their spring semester of April 2027

We are delighted and excited to be working with their students to create a dance theatre work and also to collaborate with their Department of Performing and Media Arts team on this exciting project.

We’re also looking forward to sharing this work again with new audiences and continuing our collaboration with photographer Jon Crispin

If you are interested in booking ‘Suitcases’ for our UK tour in Spring 2027 please contact us :

[email protected]

Image credit :
Dancer : connorblc

Image taken theexchange.1856 from our ‘Suitcases’ 2025 Autumn tour
Funded by aceagrams northshieldsculturalquarter

05/05/2026

Planning is underway for our next ‘Suitcases’ chapter with exciting developments for the future of this work.

Working in collaboration with

Image credit
Dancer Jonny Curry embodies case holder Lawrence

‘Suitcases’ 2025 tour was funded and supported by

29/04/2026

Celebrating and supporting International dance day

International Dance Day aims to encourage governments and institutions to recognise the value of dance to people and communities.

Dancing improves mental health by reducing depression, anxiety, and stress while boosting mood, self-esteem, and cognitive function. It combines physical activity with music and social interaction, which triggers endorphins and serotonin, creating a “feel-good” effect. Research indicates dance can be more effective than other forms of exercise for mental well-being.

Image credit
Dancer Lila Naruse
‘Suitcases’ tour 2025
Location .1856
Funded by

Working in collaboration with

21/04/2026

An image captured by from our performance of ‘Suitcases’ 2025 tour at the cinematic Victoria Baths Manchester UK

Dancer Lila embodies suitcase holder Irma.

Inspired and working with

Funded and supported by

13/04/2026

‘Suitcases’
Dancer Lila as Irma
Image captured by

This dance theatre production takes inspiration from American photographer Jon Crispin and his thought provoking exhibition

Planning is underway to reopen the cases with exciting news coming soon.

‘Suitcases’ 2025 tour was funded and supported by

27/03/2026

Marking the influence of live shows on inspiring, educating, and connecting people globally. The audience, storytellers, cast, and tech team all play a vital part in keeping live theatre thriving.

Image credit :
Location :Jubilee Theatre St Nicholas Hospital Newcastle
Production :’Suitcases’ 2025 Autumn Tour
Cast: Jessie Doran Jonny Curry Lila Naruse Zoe Lambert Connor Gribben and Dayna Dixon

Funded and supported by

Working in collaboration with

Address

Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE12

Telephone

+447731001767

Website

http://hittheground.dance/

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