Blueprints Explode Onto The Stage

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Photo credit: Stephen A’Court

Media Release
For Immediate Release
29 April 2008

BLUEPRINTS EXPLODE ONTO THE STAGE

Expect to see blueprints come alive with movement in this year’s New Zealand School of Dance Choreographic Season, Steel Skeletons. Opening in May, Steel Skeletons features the choreography of seven contemporary dance students from the New Zealand School of Dance, and is performed to entirely kiwi music.

Choreographic Season gives budding choreographers Dan Caddy, Jana Castillo, Alysha Firbank, Anneke Gough, Zahra Killeen-Chance, Champa Maciel and Cara Szabo the opportunity to present a professional-quality production in collaboration with Entertainment Technology students from Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School.

The students were given a brief to examine the process of blueprints becoming reality. The choreographers’ various interpretations weave together into a complete dance work that is high energy, sensitive, quirky and evocative.

“The New Zealand School of Dance Choreographic Season is an opportunity for the students to be challenged and ‘stretched’ in a creative sense,” says Tiina Alinen, Head of Contemporary at the New Zealand School of Dance. “The New Zealand contemporary dance language is unique, and this season is a fantastic way to see the next generation of dance stars in action.”

Kicking off during NZ Music Month, the show features music by some of New Zealand’s leading composers, DJ’s and groups, spanning styles from classical to electronica.

Well-known choreographer Malia Johnston has been mentoring the students in the process of creating Steel Skeletons. Malia is the choreographer for World of WearableArts and acclaimed contemporary dance productions Terrain, Miniatures and Dark Tourist which have all toured throughout New Zealand in recent years.

Malia is joined by Brenton Surgenor, another seasoned performer and choreographer. He has worked with such companies as Footnote Dance, Opera North and the English National Opera, and is currently a dance tutor at the University of Auckland. Both Malia and Brenton will guide the student choreographers as they create their individual pieces.

"It’s an honour to be part of a process that enables passionate young dancers to play, create and experiment with choreography to find their own unique voice.” says Brenton. “These are talented young artists with bright futures ahead as both dancers and dance makers.”

Over the last 41 years, the New Zealand School of Dance has produced some of this country’s most renowned choreographers, such as Raewyn Hill, Mary-Jane O’Reilly, Sarah Foster, Shona McCullagh and Daniel Belton.

STEEL SKELETONS is at Te Whaea Theatre
7.30pm, Friday 30 & Saturday 31 May
2.00pm, Sunday 1 June
7.30pm, Tuesday 3 – Saturday 7 June

Tickets are $15, or $12 concession.
Bookings: 04 381 9254.

ENDS

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