Find out what’s happening this month in New Zealand dance news!
These winter school holidays The New Zealand Dance Company (NZDC) is hosting its annual Youth School in both Auckland and Whangarei. From 19 – 23 July, youth aged 13+ will have the opportunity to unlock their creative potential and explore dance in a brand-new way. This year, Youth School participants will also have the chance to perform alongside NZDC in the company’s national tour of Night Light in Whangarei and Auckland. For more details and to register, visit nzdc.org.nz/education/seasonal-schools.
Applications to audition at the New Zealand School of Dance (NZSD) are now open. The School’s unique training programme develops qualities that meet the needs of the dance profession while alsoextending the boundaries of the art form. Auditions will be held in New Zealand, Australia and digitally. For more information on how to apply and entry criteria, head to www.nzschoolofdance.ac.nz/audition.
NZSD recently enjoyed a fantastic weekend in Auckland, hosting a variety of different events. This included a cocktail function for invited guests featuring an open rehearsal of the pas de deux from Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Concerto, with students Louise Camelbeke and Zach Healy, coached by NZSD Director Garry Trinder. Other events included Pathways to Training at NZSD and the Tools for Teachers seminar, run by Turid Revfeim and Sarah Fitzsimons.
The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s (RNZB) stunning 2020 production of the quintessential classical ballet The Sleeping Beauty travelled to eight centres at the end of 2020, and was enjoyed live on stage by over 32,000 New Zealanders. For one week from Friday 16 July NZST, people all over the world – including those who are blind or low vision – will have the chance to experience the magic and beauty of The Sleeping Beauty. Luxuriating in Tchaikovsky’s gorgeous orchestral score, The Sleeping Beauty spills over with fairies, handsome princes, the malevolent Carabosse and, at its heart, the enchanting princess Aurora. The Sleeping Beauty was created by a creative ensemble, led by RNZB Artistic Director Patricia Barker with New Zealand costume designer Donna Jefferis, scenic designer Howard C. Jones (Giselle, 2012), dramaturg Michael Auer (The Nutcracker) and lighting designer Randall Chiarelli (Black Swan, White Swan, 2019).
Barker says, “We considered our production of this beautiful, enchanting story from all angles – from the original ballet, to the Disney story, and even as a Netflix-style compelling drama with storytelling and characters at its heart. The result is a bold new production with all the brilliance, grandeur and beauty of the beloved classical ballet.” The special broadcast is available to view from 9am Friday, 16 July until 11.59pm Thursday, 22 July via Tikstream. RNZB is also offering an Audio Described version for vision impaired patrons here.
By Laura Di Orio of Dance Informa.
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