Emma Zangs is the creative behind the Playtime Project, which explores how creativity can support parents of young children. Ahead of ‘The Lost Nose’ show in Cambridge on Sunday, she explains how play became a lifeline when she was diagnosed with post-natal depression.
Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Emma Zangs, a Movement and Communication Coach and Dance Artist based in Norwich. As a coach, I help creatives, entrepreneurs, leaders, and teams communicate with confidence and authenticity, using the body as a tool for presence and connection. Alongside my coaching, I create and facilitate movement-based projects that bring people together to explore wellbeing, play, and creativity. I also co-lead Movement Connects Network CIC, a community for movement professionals and practitioners across East Anglia.
On a more personal note, I was born in France in the late 80s and came to London to study an MA in Choreography at Trinity Laban — and never left! I now live in Norwich with my husband and our two young children, aged three and four.
For those not in the know, what is a Movement and Communications Coach and why is the work you do important, do you think?
Movement and communication are deeply linked — how we carry ourselves, breathe, and use our bodies affects how we come across, how we think, and how we speak. My work combines techniques from dance, theatre, somatic practices, and coaching to help people communicate clearly and confidently, whether that’s in a presentation, interview, on camera, or at a conference.
I believe that by reconnecting with our bodies, we can build confidence from the inside out and express ourselves more truthfully. I don’t “polish” speakers; I help people find long-lasting, embodied solutions that work for them — giving them tools they can return to and adapt as they grow. Over the years, I’ve travelled around the world to coach all sorts of clients, and I love sharing the power of movement with anyone who needs it.
Where has your love of dance come from?
When I was four years old, I watched the rhythmic gymnastics at the Barcelona Olympics at my grandmother’s house and immediately tried to copy all the moves on the lawn. My mother, who has always loved dancing, decided it was time for a ballet class. I loved it so much that I began teaching my brothers — and we are now a family of professional dancers!
Movement has always been my first language. The joy it brings me is unbelievable — and I think it’s contagious. Dance is where I feel most alive and most myself, and I love sharing that feeling with others — whether in a class, a project, a performance, or even through my coaching sessions, where we move a lot too.
What has brought you to Norwich, and where were you before? What do you love about this part of the world?
I moved to Norwich seven years ago, from Suffolk — and before that, London. I first discovered Norwich through visits to the NNUH, where I go for regular checkups as I have Type 1 Diabetes.
One day, we decided to explore the city centre and immediately fell in love with its creative energy, slower pace, and human scale. It reminded me of where I grew up in Normandy — there’s something very familiar about the atmosphere here.
What I love most about Norwich is that people who live here choose to be here. It’s a destination, not a passing-through city. That creates a special sense of care — people engage deeply with the place and with each other. It’s open, welcoming, and surrounded by nature, which I find grounding and inspiring. I spent most days at Lionwood during the pandemic and since it became a special place for me.
What led you to starting the Playtime Project, and how would you describe the project?
The Playtime Project began during my early days of motherhood — a time that was both tender and incredibly tough. Two years ago, while navigating postnatal depression, I found myself longing to dance again. But it was through learning the art of clowning that I truly began to heal.
Despite being surrounded by play, I realised I had forgotten how to play myself. Clowning became a lifeline — it reminded me how to laugh, be silly, let go of perfection, and find joy in the chaos. It is quite the conversation opener when people ask me what I do and I reply: “I am a clown.”
From that rediscovery came the seed for Playtime: creating spaces where parents and young children can play, move, and reconnect — with themselves and each other. It’s about bringing a sense of lightness and curiosity back into the everyday experience of parenting.
Playtime includes two performances: The Kids Are Fine, a rollercoaster journey through the highs and lows of young motherhood, and The Lost Nose, a gentle story about a clown who’s lost her nose — and asks the audience for help. Alongside the shows, there are family workshops: Big Play, where we co-create imaginative worlds from giant objects, materials, colour, light, and shadow, and Moving Words, a session for mothers and babies to explore movement and writing together. We have more coming up next year, so do keep an eye out for more playful experiences.
Would you like to give a shoutout to any local organisations who have supported your work?
Absolutely. I’d love to give a special shoutout to Copperdot Studio, run by Rachel Canavan — it’s where I make work and connect with other artists. It’s such a special, supportive space.
Norwich Theatre has been behind Playtime from the very beginning and gave me the opportunity to share the project’s evolution at Stage Two. I’d also like to thank the dance artists who are part of Movement Connects Network, who offer continued encouragement and peer support — it’s a truly unique and invaluable resource for artists like me.
Where can people catch The Lost Nose and who is it aimed at? What can audiences expect on the day?
The Lost Nose is a playful and poetic performance for families with young children (ages 0–5). The first Work-in-Progress showing will be on Sunday 23rd November at Cambridge Junction — tickets are available here.
It blends movement, music, and storytelling, inviting little ones to engage through curiosity and imagination. Families can expect a relaxed, yet immersive experience filled with textures, colours, and movement — encouraging children to explore in their own way. The idea for the show sprouted while playing and creating with my own children, so play is truly at its heart — and I hope that’s what audiences take away with them.
Where can people find out more about what you do?
You can find out more on my website emmazangs.com, or connect with me on Instagram, where I share updates on my work and creative projects. And if you’re a mother who’d love to reconnect with movement, I’m hoping to start a dance class especially for mums — so please do get in touch hello@emmazangs.com if that sounds like something for you!
The Lost Nose takes place at Cambridge Junction on Sunday 23rd of November 2025 (starting at 2pm). Suitable for ages 0-5. Duration: 20 minutes + post-show craft activity. Visit Playtime Project and follow on Instagram.
Featured image of Emma Zangs – supplied
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