Find out what’s happening in New Zealand dance news!
The Head of Dance at Saint Kentigern College, Geordan Wilcox, is taking up a new opportunity, so the position to lead the school’s dance curricula and co curricula program is available. Saint Kentigern is a leader among independent schools in Australasia, providing a high-quality, values-based Presbyterian education for students between Year 7 to Year 13 at the Pakuranga campus. The school is seeking an inspired and aspirational educator to lead the Dance Department to ensure the highest quality of curriculum design. This is a full-time, permanent appointment. Saint Kentigern can only accept applications from candidates who have the right to work in New Zealand, and hold a current practicing certificate from Teaching Council NZ. For more information and to apply, visit www.saintkentigern.com/careers/current-vacancies.
Applications to audition for full-time training at the New Zealand School of Dance (NZSD) are now open. NZSD’s unique training programme develops qualities that meet the needs of the dance profession while also extending the boundaries of the art form. Auditions will be held in New Zealand, Australia, and digitally. NZSD offers two full-time professional dance training programmes majoring in either Classical Ballet or Contemporary Dance. The New Zealand Diploma in Dance (Level 6) is a two-year course designed to prepare students for a career in performance. Upon completion, graduates will be prepared and ready to enter either a third year working towards a New Zealand School of Dance Diploma in Dance Performance (at Level 7), or their first professional industry placement.
The NZSD Diploma in Dance Performance (Level 7), is studied during the third year of training, and students are exposed to a wide range of diverse experiences both within the School and externally. Secondments and professional placements play a crucial role in this year, allowing students to work with dance companies for up to twelve weeks during term time. This diploma provides a platform for students to gain practical experience and develop their skills as they prepare for a successful career in dance performance.
The New Zealand Diploma in Dance and the New Zealand School of Dance Diploma in Dance Performance sit at Level 6 and Level 7 respectively on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework. The New Zealand School of Dance Diploma in Dance Performance (Level 7) is equivalent to an undergraduate degree, allowing the possibility of postgraduate study and many career pathways. The programme is approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority under section 439 of the Education and Training Act 2020, and NZSD is accredited to provide it under section 442 of the Act.
Entry to full-time training at NZSD is by audition. 2024 NZSD audition dates in New Zealand and Australia are as follows: Wellington (Saturday 28 September at Te Whaea: National Dance and Drama Centre), Sydney (Tuesday 1 October at Village Nation Performing Arts), Brisbane (Thursday 3 October at Queensland Ballet), and Melbourne (Friday 4 October at VCASS). For more information on how to apply and entry criteria, go to www.nzschoolofdance.ac.nz/study-full-time.
Footnote New Zealand Dance is thrilled to announce that the company has been invited to present Thin Paper, Autonomy of Synapse, Nomads and Tokyo[-ing] in Tokyo and Nagoya, Japan, this October. This prestigious opportunity allows Footnote to showcase the captivating choreography of Kota Yamazaki. Yamazaki previously wowed audiences with Fog, nerves, Future, Ocean, Hello (echoes) in 2020, as part of the Undercurrent season.
Footnote has launched a Boosted fundraising campaign to help the company on this journey from NZ to Japan. Boosted is an all-or-nothing crowdfunding platform, which means every contribution, big or small, brings the company closer to sharing New Zealand talent with international audiences. Any donations will help Footnote cover travel costs for its team. You can donate at www.boosted.org.nz/projects/get-footnote-get-to-japan.
With the sparkling Christmas season comes the return of the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s (RNZB) enchanting A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Following a spectacular premiere in 2015 with a subsequent international tour, and unseen outside Wellington for almost a decade, this whimsical ballet created for the RNZB by Liam Scarlett will captivate audiences once more, from 24 October to 24 December.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream became an overnight sensation with its debut met by full houses and critical acclaim. Tracy Grant Lord’s stunning set and costume designs, with Kendall Smith’s brilliant lighting, bring Shakespeare’s timeless characters and enchanted wood to life in a visually splendid performance that enchants audiences of all ages with glorious choreography, humour and Mendelssohn’s iconic music.
RNZB Soloist Shaun James Kelly says, “Being one of the original ‘Pucks’ in A Midsummer Night’s Dream in 2015 continues to be one of the highlights of my decade with the RNZB. Bringing this iconic character to life and hearing the laughs and gasps of the audience as the story unfolds is truly magical – it’s funny, quirky and unashamedly romantic. Flying across the stage, in the magical forest world, is pure delight for the dancers and audiences.”
RNZB Artistic Director Ty King-Wall says, “What a treat it is for us to be bringing our sparkling 2024 season to a close with A Midsummer Night’s Dream. There is so much to behold and to treasure in this production, for children and children at heart alike. Tracy Grant Lord’s set is a marvel that makes you want to jump up out of your seat and explore, and Liam Scarlett’s marvellously inventive, intricate and richly layered choreography brings this magical array of characters to life.”
For bookings and more information, visit rnzb.org.nz/show/a-midsummer-nights-dream.
By Laura Di Orio of Dance Informa.
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