New Zealand Dance News

Atamira Dance Company, New Zealand's leading Maori contemporary dance company, is currently preparing its new work Manaia. Six new dancers were brought on for this project along with a team of designers.

One of the world’s best-known stories, The Wizard of Oz, has been lovingly crafted into a magical two-act ballet by the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s Artistic Director Francesco Ventriglia. The world premiere of The Wizard of Oz takes place in Wellington on May 4, ahead of the RNZB’s biggest tour of 2016, visiting nine centres around New Zealand.

For the first time, New Zealand Dance Week will take place on April 23-30, 2016. Organised by Dance Aotearoa New Zealand (DANZ), New Zealand Dance Week is a national event aimed to celebrate and elevate the awareness of all forms of dance.

The New Zealand School of Dance (NZSD) will present an opportunity to have high tea with internationally acclaimed ballerina Darcey Bussell during an exclusive fundraiser for the school’s 50th anniversary events in 2017. This event set for Saturday, April 2 from 3-6 pm will include delicious food, an auction, a dance performance by NZSD students, live music and a tutu display.

The New Zealand Dance Company is seeking a dancer with strong technique, partnering and improvisational skills for an Auckland-based contract commencing April 11. The audition is set for Saturday, March 19. Applications will close Friday, March 4.

Following a worldwide search for the most outstanding young talents in dance, Rolex has announced that a 22-year-old New Zealander, Christopher Ofanoa, has been named as a top dance finalist for the 2016–17 Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative. If chosen, he’ll have the opportunity to be mentored by master choreographer Ohad Naharin. Their year of creative exchange and collaboration would begin in June.

The Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) has announced that it has appointed two new staff members to join the RNZB team in the New Year – ballet mistress Nadia Thompson and ballet master Alberto Montesso.

The Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) embarked on an international tour in October and is currently presenting Ethan Stiefel and Johan Kobborg’s landmark production of Giselle and a mixed programme of contemporary works throughout Europe. Having already performed in Edinburgh, Leeds and High Wycombe, the ensemble continues its U.K. tour before venturing to Italy.

The Royal New Zealand Ballet has announced its 2016 Season, which will present three programmes and their accompanying national tours. It kicks off in late February with the Speed of Light programme, which includes the NZ premieres of three larger-than-life contemporary classics. The season also presents the world premiere of The Wizard of Oz by Artistic Director Francesco Ventriglia and the return of Ethan Stiefel’s acclaimed Giselle.

Atamira Dance Company opened the 2015 Tempo Dance Festival with its newest full-length work Wednesday. Mitimiti is an immersive and engaging work that asks viewers to move amongst the transformed Q Theatre in Auckland. Running through Saturday, it features choreography by Jack Gray.

Online applications are due this Friday, August 28, for dancers interested in auditioning for the 2016 full time programmes at the New Zealand School of Dance (NZSD). Auditions will be held in Wellington on September 26, Melbourne on September 28, Perth on October 1 and Sydney on October 4.

The Vodafone Season of A Midsummer Night’s Dream opens next week in Wellington! This is the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s last New Zealand season for 2015; a dazzling world premiere from choreographer Liam Scarlett, with designs by Tracy Grant Lord, music by Mendelssohn, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra conducted by Nigel Gaynor, and of course, all your favourite dancers.