The New Zealand Festival 2014 sees the Premiere of a new full length dance work from NZSD graduate Ross McCormack.
Since graduating from the New Zealand School of Dance Ross has performed with Douglas Wright, the Royal New Zealand Ballet, Australian Dance Theatre and the highly acclaimed Belgian company Les Ballets C de la B. Recently returning to New Zealand he has established himself as a choreographic talent, creating works for Okareka Dance Company, Footnote, and the New Zealand School of Dance, amongst others.
His new work ‘AGE’, commissioned by the New Zealand Festival, spans three generations with ten-year-old Harry Eathorne and highly respected theatre artist Mick Rose performing alongside internationally renowned dancers James O’Hara, Alex Leonhartsberger, Claire O’Neil and New Zealand School of Dance graduates Nicola Leahey and Luke Hanna. NZSD graduates also man the production team, Melanie Hamilton producing the season and Victoria Colombus taking a break from teaching contemporary dance at the School to be rehearsal director.
Ross has said he is strongly influenced by Les Ballets C de la B, the company that inspired him to become a choreographer and whom he considers a ‘second family’. “I have learnt a vast amount about the investigation of the body and movement from working with C de la B director Alain Patel”, he says.
The New Zealand Festival season of AGE runs 13 – 16 March 2014.