Find out what’s happening in New Zealand dance news!
The start of August finds the Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) mid-tour with the ground-breaking three-bill programme Home, Land & Sea, an historic first-time collaboration between RNZB and The New Zealand Dance Company. Audiences in Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch are being given the rare opportunity to see the return of The Way Alone by master choreographer Stephen Baynes, along with two world premieres – Chrysalis by RNZB choreographer-in-residence Shaun James Kelly and the groundbreaking Home, Land & Sea, created by acclaimed artistic director Moss Te Ururangi Patterson (Ngāti Tūwharetoa).
Another highlight for RNZB dancers this season is the opportunity to step into the role of choreographer and explore new creative concepts. The annual Voyages Choreographic Season is an exciting space for dancers to stretch their skills and work with their colleagues as they explore not just movement, but the full scope of artistic storytelling – through choreography, music, costume and concept. Earlier in the year, RNZB Artistic Director Ty King-Wall invited dancers to submit applications around the ideas they’d like to explore along with proposed music, preferred cast and concepts. A two-week rehearsal period will take place mid-August, followed by three performances at the end of the month. “The path of a choreographer is a brave step into the unknown,” says King-Wall. “It is driven by a sense of adventure and a search for expression and understanding.”
The New Zealand Dance Company (NZDC) and the Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) wrap up their collaboration, Home, Land and Sea, this August, with the final performances in Christchurch from 8 – 9 August. Home, Land and Sea is a programme of three powerful works, inspired by journeys in unknown seas and what it means to come home. For the first time, RNZB joins forces with NZDC to present a groundbreaking collaboration featuring some of the country’s finest dancers and choreographers.
At the heart of the season is the world premiere title work Home, Land & Sea, choreographed by NZDC Artistic Director Moss Te Ururangi Patterson (Ngāti Tūwharetoa), with original music by legendary musician Shayne P Carter. Chrysalis by Shaun James Kelly is a poetic reflection on his evolution from young dancer to choreographer, set to music by Philip Glass. Completing the programme is Stephen Baynes’s The Way Alone, a contemplative response to music by Tchaikovsky. Find out more and book your tickets now at rnzb.org.nz/show/home-land-and-sea.
The New Zealand School of Dance (NZSD) returns to Whirinaki Whare Taonga with UNBOUND, a spectacular showcase featuring performances of classical ballet and contemporary dance. This well-loved event promises to captivate audiences with its eclectic programme, featuring both celebrated pieces from the classical ballet repertoire and state-of-the-art works created by the next generation of choreographers.
As NZSD Director Garry Trinder says, “The New Zealand School of Dance has enjoyed a long and highly valued relationship with Whirinaki Whare Taonga. This year, UNBOUND offers audiences a varied programme of classic and newly created works, one that highlights the talent and passion of our young dancers.”
Appearing annually at Whirinaki provides pre-professional students of dance the opportunity to gain significant performance training and find their personal voice. Trinder adds, “This showcase is the culmination of weeks of training and rehearsals. We hope you’ll be dazzled!”
UNBOUND will take place at Whirinaki Whare Taonga, a cultural hub which has long been valued as a community setting showcasing the bold creativity of Aotearoa. Performances will run for a limited time only, from 14-16 August. Tickets are available for purchase online at the New Zealand School of Dance website www.nzschoolofdance.ac.nz.
Later this month, Trinder will be in Singapore, Tokyo and Manila, judging the International Ballet Grand Prix, Japan Grand Prix International Ballet Competition and the Asian Grand Prix. He will be strengthening global ties, while contributing expertise and proudly representing NZSD within the international dance community.
Footnote New Zealand Dance will present Select: Footnote, a curated collection of iconic choreography, on 12 September at Regent on Broadway, Palmerston North. Select: Footnote offers audiences a chance to experience excerpts from the company’s latest works, including the critically acclaimed MODERN GOD, Thin Paper, and never-before-seen solos. Presented alongside the DanceNZmade programme, join some of Aotearoa’s freshest dance artists for an evening that will inspire young dancers as to what is possible for their futures in professional contemporary dance. Special offer: all dance teachers attending will receive a free dance education resource created by Footnote New Zealand Dance.
Footnote will also offer a school holiday workshop, One Day with Footnote, on 22 September, from 9am-5pm at the Footnote Dance Studios in Wellington. This full-day dance workshop is tailored for youth and young dancers aged 13-18 and will offer participants an immersive experience into the world of contemporary dance, with a unique opportunity to learn from seasoned professionals in a supportive environment. Participants can expect to be swept up in the boundless creativity and infectious energy of the Footnote company dancers. Through a series of dynamic workshops, attendees will explore current creative practices and performance techniques that are shaping the landscape of contemporary dance today. From innovative choreography to expressive movement, this workshop is designed to inspire and challenge young dancers of all levels. For more information and to register, visit www.footnote.org.nz/events/one-day-with-footnote2025.
Footnote is celebrating 40 years of daring, world-class, trailblazing contemporary dance, with Revelry – Celebrate Footnote at 40 on 18 October at New Zealand Portrait Gallery in Wellington. In 40 years, Footnote has created 100 works, and employed 100 company dancers. Footnote invites all for a night of boisterous festivity and merrymaking to celebrate. The event includes a silent auction, entertainment by Chocolate Box (Vanessa Stacey and Lisa Tomlin), a cash bar and treats. Early bird tickets are available until 14 August. For more, head to www.footnote.org.nz/events/revelry.
By Laura Di Orio of Dance Informa.
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