Past Performances
45th Anniversary Graduation Season
21 Nov - 1 Dec 2012
Te Whaea Theatre
Featuring choreography not often seen in New Zealand by renowned masters George Balanchine, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Garry Stewart. The New Zealand School of Dance's 45th Anniversary Graduation Season programme also included works by Claire O’Neill, American choreographer Parrish Maynard and New Zealand School of Dance graduates Loughlan Prior and Mia Mason, embodying the essence of the school’s legacy in its 45th anniversary year.
ON THE OTHER HAND - Choreographic Season 2012
18 - 26 May 2012
Te Whaea Theatre
Examining conversation through movement, this intriguing show was created by final year contemporary dance students of the New Zealand School of Dance. The choreographers collaborated with set designer Oliver Morse and lighting and costume students from Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School to build a multifaceted theatrical experience.
On the Other Hand was also presented in two sold-out performances for Tempo dance festival in Auckland, October 2012.
Graduation Season 2011
16 – 26 November
Te Whaea Theatre
This vibrant season of dance from the 1800s to today featured works by some of history’s greatest choreographers including Danish ballet master August Bournonville’s charming Napoli Divertissements of 1842 and 20th century choreographer George Balanchine's Emeralds.
Particular highlights were three absorbing, gutsy and thought-provoking new works by New Zealanders Maria Dabrowska and Ross McCormack and influential Australian choreographer Lina Limosani.
Legendary US choreographer Paul Taylor’s Company B illuminates dominant social issues of the 1940s and the emotions surrounding them. Set to the big band era songs of the Andrews Sisters, this work provided a riveting finale to the programme.
SKETCH - Choreographic Season 2011
20 - 28 May 2011
Te Whaea Theatre
The New Zealand School of Dance Choreographic Season 2011 presented a collection of contemporary dance works by final year students. Choreographic Season is a platform for these emerging dance artists to explore their own choreography in collaboration with lighting and costume designers from Toi Whakaari.
Performed with precision and passion, Sketch revealed edgy dance depicted by New Zealand’s freshest choreographers.
KIWI + KYLIÁN - Graduation Season 2010
17 Nov - 4 Dec 2010
Te Whaea Theatre
NZSD Graduation Season is performed by students of the New Zealand School of Dance. The 2010 season was presented as two programmes on alternate nights.
Programme 1: KYLIÁN
Four seamless and emotive works by Jiri Kylian, one of the world's greatest living choreographers. Sponsored by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Programme 2: KIWI
Five innovative works by leading New Zealand choreographers Craig Bary, Sarah Foster, Raewyn Hill, Malia Johnston and Michael Parmenter. The KIWI programme featured the world premiere of two new works by Craig Bary and Sarah Foster commissioned by the NZSD.
ONE WAY - Choreographic Season 2010
21 - 29 May 2010
Te Whaea Theatre
The annual NZSD Choreographic Season gives contemporary dance students the opportunity to research, choreograph and perform a professionally-presented production. Set in a monochromatic no man’s land, One Way led the audience through time and space in a captivating one hour performance.
Internationally recognised dancer and rehearsal director Victoria Colombus, as Artistic Coordinator, spent several months working closely with the student choreographers – Carl Smit, Emmeline Eichmann, Michelle Henderson, Danielle Lindsay, Olivia McGregor, Shaughn Pegoraro, Alana Sargent, Lisa Brooker, Emma Coppersmith, Charlotte Davies and Kyah Dove – to create One Way.
Graduation Season 2008
19 - 29 November 2008
Te Whaea Theatre
The NZSD Graduation Season was a celebration of our freshest dance talent in 2008; a magical evening of stunning ballet and contemporary dance performed by graduating students of the New Zealand School of Dance.
From the soft classical grace of Bournonville’s Flower Festival in Genzano to the architectural beauty of the Grand Pas from Raymonda, these performances transported the audience on a tour around the world and through the history of dance. The Graduation Season also featured two world premieres by well-known contemporary choreographers Ross McCormack and Sarah Foster and the highly theatrical and explosive choreography of Natalie Weir’s Jabula.
Steel Skeletons - Choreographic Season 2008
30 May - 7 June 2008
Te Whaea Theatre
Blueprints came alive with dance in the 2008 New Zealand School of Dance Choreographic Season, Steel Skeletons. Contemporary dance students from the New Zealand School of Dance each created a distinct part of this richly-textured production, performed to 100% New Zealand music.
40th Anniversary Graduation Season
9 & 10 November 2007
The Opera House
Lauded by The NZ Listener as a ‘dance highlight of the year’, the New Zealand School of Dance 40th Anniversary Graduation Season featured the fresh talent of New Zealand’s next generation of gifted dancers. Well-known NZSD alumni Jane Casson (The Australian Ballet), Craig Davidson (Royal Ballet of Flanders) and artists from acclaimed contemporary dance companies Black Grace and Footnote Dance joined the students in this unique gala event.
The 40th Anniversary Graduation Season offered a sweeping view of the School’s past and present with a variety of well-loved and bold new works. Those passionate about contemporary dance revelled in the electrifying choreography of Michael Parmenter (The Bach), Garry Stewart (Currently Under Investigation) and Leigh Warren (Never Mind the Bindies). Compelling, expressive and magical ballet featured in the works of August Bournonville (La Sylphide), Kenneth MacMillan (Balcony Pas de Deux from Romeo and Juliet) and George Balanchine (Agon and Theme and Variations).
Infinite Thread - Choreographic Season 2007
25 May – 2 June 2007
Te Whaea Theatre
Feathers, denim and lace all had a part to play in New Zealand School of Dance’s first production of 2007, Infinite Thread. Second and third year choreographic students intertwined material, movement and meaning, exploring the interplay of fabric – its weave, cultural significance, how it moves – and dance. The result is a richly-textured work that pushes the boundaries of contemporary dance practice.
