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New Zealand Dance News – April

New Zealand School of Dance

New Zealand School of Dance is presenting its annual Choreographic Season from 15 – 23 May at its in-house theatre. Known for technically accomplished dance performance, New Zealand School of Dance students’ choreographic talents are showcased in this annual performance season. Production, lighting and costumes by students from Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School add colour and drama to an inventive collection of new dance works by final year students. With impressive athleticism and agility, these dancers present contemporary dance at its freshest and most creative. Bookings and information can be found at www.nzschoolofdance.ac.nz

Dance Masters International is once again running its very popular winter schools in both Christchurch (July 8th to 11th) and Auckland (July 15th to 18th). With a selection of international tutors and a programme covering classical ballet, contemporary, conditioning, repertoire, pointe and more, the seminars are not to be missed. For more information, head to: www.dancemastersinternational.co.nz.

New Zealand Dance Company

New Zealand Dance Company artists rehearse. Photo courtesy of NZDC.

The New Zealand Dance Company is running its YEP! Auckland Autumn School from Monday 13 April – Friday 17 April. Enjoy five full days of classes with NZDC’s dancers, choreographers and tutors. Classes include contemporary, fusion, contemporary ballet, yoga and M & B (Muscle & Bone). Extend your dancing skill with improvisation, partnering, tasking and composition. Learn company repertoire and develop your own. Throughout the five days, teachers will be invited to join the students (11 – 18 years old) for warm-up and contemporary technique classes. Separate teaching practice sessions will be offered along with the opportunity to observe choreographic process in action with dancers from the NZDC.

The YEP Auckland Autumn School will run in partnership with Tales of Tamaki (Auckland Museum, AWMM) and model throughout the week an artistic process of research and creation of contemporary dance. This will culminate in two performances on Friday 17 April.

As The New Zealand Dance Company’s Rotunda tour progresses around the country, it is giving Kiwis the chance to share their family’s stories. The Company is calling for the names of the fallen, the survivors who returned from World War One, and the women who served at home. The names received are then projected on a commemorative veil in the theatre before the start of the performance. Those wishing to upload a name can do so at: www.nzdc.org.nz/node/rotunda-share-your-story.

The New Zealand Dance Company are also holding auditions in April and May in the following locations: Auckland – Saturday 18th April, Adelaide – Tuesday 28th April, Melbourne – Tuesday 5th May and Sydney – Monday 11th May. To apply to audition send an expression of interest, CV and photo to Artistic and Marketing Assistant: caroline.bindon@nzdc.org.nz.

Running over a vibrant three weeks, Auckland Fringe was a huge success this year. Hosted by The Basement Theatre, the 2015 Auckland Fringe Awards recognised the best of the high quality programme. In the dance field, it was MOTHER/JAW that cleaned up this year. Produced by Kerry Wallis and choreographed by Jahra Rager and Grace Woollett, MOTHER/JAW took out the following awards: Best Production Dance, The Development Award, Best Performance Dance (The ensemble), Best Lighting Design (Brad Gledhill with Rachel Marlow) and Best Sound Design (Addison Chase & Christoph El’ Truento)

Photo (top): NZSD students William Keohavong, Latisha Sparks and Felix Sampson. Photo by Stephen A’Court.

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