New Choreographers Communicate through Movement

New Choreographers Communicate through Movement

The New Zealand School of Dance Choreographic Season titled 'On the Other Hand' introduces new choreographers and ten new works of contemporary dance to the stage.

Created by contemporary dance students in their third year of full-time study at the New Zealand School of Dance (NZSD), ‘On the Other Hand’ is the result of four intensive months of preparation. In addition to workshopping new dance pieces, the group of young choreographers have collaborated with other dancers and with lighting, set and costume design students from Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School to create the show.

Communicating through movement, this intriguing collection of works is about interpersonal connections and interactions between people and their surroundings. “It is dance that portrays intention and emotion as well as inventive movement,” explains artistic coordinator of the show, Victoria Colombus.

“This is a highly talented and motivated group of dancers that have been inspired to create something unique. Each of the dance works relates to influences or personal experiences that are significant at this point in their lives” adds Victoria. “‘On the Other Hand’ will resonate, it will surprise and move the audience.”

Set in a surreal environment, the show has dramatic visual impact and clever use of space. Several elements of the set are incorporated into the dance works including recognisable household objects with surprising twists.

The New Zealand School of Dance has been invited to take ‘On the Other Hand’ to Auckland in October for Tempo dance festival. This invitation builds on the school’s success at previous Tempo festivals when NZSD choreographic works were audience favourites and one student received the award for ‘Best Emerging Choreographer’.

Third year student Jimi Pham, dances in a number of the pieces, and is also an accomplished musician. In his own choreographic work for ‘On the Other Hand’ he performs music live on stage to accompany the dancers. A sublime performer, Jimi has been offered professional contracts with Alice Lee Holland and Melbourne based company Chunky Move, which he will take up on leaving the NZSD in July this year.

The student-created dance works for ‘On the Other Hand’ come in many guises. They range from Simone Lapka’s flirtatious and suggestive piece ‘!’ to Matt Roffe’s beautifully captivating ‘Weight over Me’.

Matt is one of the many students to have been invited to take up secondments with professional companies during their final year of study. He has been invited to join Expressions Dance Company for a three week secondment. Five others will also join Expressions, eight will work with Sydney Dance Company, two with the New Zealand Dance Company and a number with other companies including TasDance, Southern Lights Dance Company, ADT, Okareka, Java Dance Co, and Dance North.

Event listing details:

New Zealand School of Dance
Choreographic Season 2012

ON THE OTHER HAND

Ten new works of expressive dance

18 - 26 May 2012
Te Whaea Theatre, 11 Hutchison Road, Newtown, Wellington

Examining conversation through movement, this intriguing show is created by final year contemporary dance students of the New Zealand School of Dance. The choreographers have collaborated with set designer Oliver Morse and lighting and costume students from Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School to build a multifaceted theatrical experience.

Revealing elements of the set as the show progresses and the individual voices of its young protagonists, 'On the Other Hand' is dance that's impulsive yet enchanting.

Book tickets at the venue or online at www.nzschoolofdance.ac.nz

ENDS

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