Dates and Times
Tuesday 28 November 19.30pm (Classical ballet programme)
Wednesday 29 November 19.30pm (Contemporary dance programme) – SOLD OUT
Thursday 30 November 19.30pm (Classical ballet programme)
Friday 1 December 19.30pm (Contemporary dance programme) – SOLD OUT
Saturday 2 December 2pm (Contemporary dance programme) – Few tickets left
Saturday 2 December 19.30pm (Classical ballet programme) – SOLD OUT
Ticket Prices
Adult: $42.00
Senior / Student/ groups of 10+: $29.00
Children 12 and younger: $19.00
Venue
Te Whaea Theatre, Te Whaea: National Dance and Drama Centre.
11 Hutchison Road, Newtown
New Zealand School of Dance classical ballet students Joshua Linkhorn and Patrick Nawalowalo McCrory. Photo by Stephen A’Court.
The New Zealand School of Dance (NZSD) is proud to announce its highly anticipated Performance Season, showcasing the extraordinary talent of its students. With two alternating programmes of ballet and contemporary dance, this season promises to captivate audiences with outstanding choreography and breath-taking performances.
In these specially curated programmes, students from across the School’s three year groups will showcase their artistry in an impressive repertoire of legacy pieces, collaborations with inventive choreographers, premieres and commissions.
The ballet programme features captivating works from three renowned American choreographers, staged by former Ballet Master for San Francisco Ballet, Betsy Erickson.
Acclaimed dance maker Val Caniparoli will be represented by his quirky, playful Street Songs and intense duet, Double Stop. Former Artistic Director of San Francisco Ballet, Helgi Tomasson’s Meistens Mozart is sweet and charming, while Lew Christensen’s Vivaldi Concerto Grosso is an inventive, neo-classical gem that has not been performed previously by the School.
New Zealand School of Dance contemporary dance student Aleeya McFadyen-Rew. Photo by Stephen A’Court
Expressing his excitement about this year’s programme, NZSD Director Garry Trinder said, “Coming out of Covid, we wanted to use this year’s ballet programme to reconnect with some of the international choreographers and répétiteurs we have long been associated with. This year’s programme comprises three works that have proven to be enduring and popular with our audiences, as well as a work that will be new to us, offering a fresh and invigorating challenge to our students.”
In the world of contemporary dance, we take great pride in the involvement of our talented NZSD graduates, who are both re-staging existing works and creating new ones.
Former Australian DMEDance Theatre Artistic Director, Garry Stewart, presents his enthralling creation, The Beginning of Nature. This powerful work explores the intricate relationship between humanity and the natural world, leaving audiences captivated by its thought-provoking narrative.
The programme will also feature a revival of Australian Amber Haines’ critically acclaimed 2016 work, Incant. Haines’ piece delves into the depths of human emotion, inviting viewers on a mesmerising and intriguing journey.
Lauded New Zealand choreographer Ross McCormack will be creating a new work alongside commissions from NZSD graduates, Felix Sampson and Kit Reilly, highlighting the School’s commitment to expanding the boundaries of contemporary dance.
Performance Season at Southward Theatre and Te Whaea: National Dance & Drama Centre 16 Nov – 2 Dec 2023. Tickets from $19 – $42 are available at www.nzschoolofdance.ac.nz
Helene has been recognised as a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the King’s Birthday Honours for her service to the public service and the arts.
The New Zealand School of Dance (NZSD) is proud to present this year’s choreographic season, titled Axis. The season celebrates the students’ creative process and offers an insight into the development of their choreographic skills.
· NZSD 3rd Yr contemporary dance student – Caterina Moreno. Photo by Zoe Whaley
Third-year contemporary dance students collaborate to create their own individual works, guided by tutor, Holly Newsome. Eight short pieces are combined to create a full-length work, allowing students to showcase their talents and perspectives with Newsome’s expertise and guidance.
Newsome is a graduate of the School and has a profound appreciation for the importance of this choreographic undertaking. “Axis is a celebration of dance, where students can begin to find their voices both as artists and as performers. It is the culmination of years of training, and a testament to the many people who have guided and influenced the performers along their journey.” said Newsome.
3rd Year contemporary dance student Elliot Gordon talks about his work with passion and dedication. His choreographic work, a duet, is a beautiful portrayal of love and the conversations that come with it. “The energy of the piece is centred around love and how it can relieve and comfort us during difficult times, which I wanted to capture through movement. Through this duet, I wanted to highlight the unique and special relationship that can be found between two people and how it can be life changing.”
NZSD 3rd Yr contemporary dance students – Cate Leong & Deija Vukona. Photo by Zoe Whaley
After two years of using BATS theatre, the 2023 season is returning to its home base, Te Whaea: National Dance and Drama Centre, located in Newtown.
Choreographic Season will involve a thrilling partnership with Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School. Toi Whakaari’s costume and production team will play an integral role in the development and execution of this exciting season. Additionally, emerging Scenographic Designer, Max de Roy, will lend his creative talents to the project, contributing to its lighting, costume, and stage design. With such a talented group of artists and designers working together, audiences can expect an awe-inspiring performance that resonates long after the last note of music falls away.
With its focus on exploration and experimentation, Axis is not merely a showcase of skill, but a celebration of the creative process itself. The season promises to be a memorable event that will inspire and captivate diverse audiences.
Axis opens at Te Whaea: National Dance and Drama School on 23 June and runs until 29 June 2023. Tickets are from $12 – $25.
In this, our 55th anniversary year, the New Zealand School of Dance is thrilled to again be appearing at Southward Theatre from 4 – 6 November, with outstanding performances of both classical ballet and contemporary dance. The repertoire will feature exciting highlights and cutting-edge choreography.
Performances
4 Nov – 7.30pm
5 Nov – 1.30pm
5 Nov – 7.30pm
6 Nov – 1.30pm – CANCELLED
Ticket Prices
Adult: $25
Senior / Student/ groups of 10+: $19
Children 12 and younger: $15
In this, our 55th anniversary year, the New Zealand School of Dance is thrilled to again be appearing at Whirinaki Whare Taonga from 20 – 22 October, with outstanding performances of both classical ballet and contemporary dance. The repertoire will feature exciting highlights and cutting-edge choreography.
Performances
20 Oct – 7.30pm
21 Oct – 7.30pm
22 Oct – 2.00pm
22 Oct – 7.30pm
Ticket Prices
Adult: $20
Children 12 and younger: $13.50*A booking fee will apply
