DANZ Announces Tru Paraha as the 2018 Māori Choreolab Recipient
Dance Aotearoa New Zealand (DANZ) has selected Tru Paraha as the 2018 Māori Choreolab: Te Kanikani Whakamātau recipient.
Supported by DANZ and with funding from Foundation North, Tru will facilitate the three week choreographic lab, based in
Auckland, to explore and develop key choreographic projects.
"It is enlivening to see DANZ support experienced wāhine choreographers who are generating a bold vision and
experimental practice. More spaces and opportunities for committed independent artists to thrive are greatly needed in
Aotearoa dance,” says Tru. “I am grateful to be granted this residency, ngā mihi nui ki a koutou."
Te Kanikani Whakamātau is a unique opportunity for a Māori dance artist to explore their craft and expand their
choreographic expression. This project presents a new pathway for Māori artists in the Auckland and Northland region, to
have time and space to explore ideas, concepts, styles and forms of expression. The emphasis is on exploration,
experimentation and is open to all dance styles and Māori movement.
Tru is a New Zealand School of Dance Graduate and holds a Master’s Degree in Dance Studies with first class honours from
the University of Auckland. Her artistry spans across dance, performance art, theatre, visual arts, poetry, and
performance writing. Tru is a former company member of Lemi Ponifasio’s MAU and recently choreographed, designed and
producedblackOUT, an experimental dance work at the Kenneth Myers Centre in Auckland. She has also been a performance educator at the
Auckland University of Technology, University of Auckland, Manukau Institute of Technology, and Unitec.
Tru will use the three week period during September and October to develop choreographic material towards a new
performance event and an experimental short dance film, which will culminate into a public showing in Auckland (venue
TBC). She will work alongside three dancers and one film-maker in this choreographic laboratory; her working title for
the project is ANON.