New Zealand Presents

Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand Presents.

Here you will find insight into just some of the innovative work created in Aotearoa New Zealand. As the country’s arts development agency Creative New Zealand invites you to sample and enjoy the range of distinctive dance, theatre and multi-disciplinary art ready to take to the world stage.

Dance | Theatre | Multi-disciplinary | Classical Music

Dance

Atamira Dance Company

Leading Māori contemporary dance company, Atamira Dance Company creates professional dance works inspired by Aotearoa’s history, legends and contemporary issues.  Critically acclaimed, the company has a reputation for producing “inventive and stunning” pieces.

www.atamiradance.co.nz

Contact: Zoe Williams, Associate Producer/Marketing, zoe@atamiradance.co.nz

Photo:Kaha, by John McDermott

Black Grace

Internationally renowned as an exponent of Pacific contemporary dance Black Grace creates works with “artistry, creative excellence and innovation”.  A fusion of traditional Pacific cultures and contemporary dance, the 17-year-old company is an extension of the personal history of its founder and choreographer Neil Ieremia.

www.blackgrace.co.nz

Contact: Neil Ieremea, CEO/Founding Artistic Director, admin@blackgrace.co.nz

Photo: Duncan Cole

Footnote Dance Company

For more than 25years Footnote has toured New Zealand presenting the “fluid energy of dance as a real reflection of national identity”.  Footnote has also performed in Shanghai, Antwerp and Brussels and at the City of London Arts Festival.  In October 2012, Footnote will perform Hullapolloi as part of the New Zealand profile at the Frankfurt Book Fair, Germany.

www.footnote.org.nz

Contact: Josephine O’Sullivan, josephine@footnote.org.nz

Photo: Trance like happiness, by Victoria Vincent

Java Dance Company

Creating work for young people and adults, Java Dance specialises in site-specific and innovative work which “captures audiences with dance theatre that clambers into the senses”.  “We believe in immersing the audience in our work and revealing the pulse beneath the surface,” says Artistic Director Sacha Copland.

www.javadancecompany.co.nz

Contact: Sacha Copland, Artistic Director, Java.dance@hotmail.com

Photo: Rise, by Derek Simpson

New Zealand Dance Company

Aotearoa’s newest contemporary dance company aims to present New Zealand dance to New Zealanders and the world. “Our goal is to replenish the appetite for contemporary dance in New Zealand, engage our audience in non-traditional ways and weave our artform deeply into the fabric of society.”

www.nzdc.org.nz

Contact: Roger Christensen, Operations Manager, roger.christensen@nzdc.org.nz

Photo: Language of living, photo by John McDermott

Okareka Dance Company

A young, vibrant contemporary dance company from New Zealand, Okareka reaches from its rich Maori heritage and contemporary expertise to create "unique and moving dance compositions that inspire and provoke audiences around the world". Led by veteran performers Taane Mete and Taiaroa Royal, Okareka has become one of New Zealand's most sought after and prolific dance companies.

www.okareka.com

Contact: Rachael Penman, General Manager, rachael@okareka.com

Touch Compass Dance Company

New Zealand’s only professional contemporary dance company to integrate artists with and without disability, Touch Compass aims to Dance beyond difference.  “Challenging perceptions about what is and who can dance, the company has pioneered the visibility of unique bodies and forms of expression to present bold, breathtaking and provocative performances.”

www.touchcompass.org.nz

Contact: Karen Fraser Payne, General Manager, karen@touchcompass.org.nz

Photo: Spring by Kathrin Simon

Theatre

Auckland Theatre Company

Auckland Theatre Company present high quality professional productions with a strong focus on developing New Zealand work, alongside international contemporary plays and the classics. The Company is led by Artistic Director Colin McColl whose international career as a director covers original and cutting edge productions of classic dramas to opera.

www.atc.co.nz

Contact: Lester McGrath, General Manager, lester@atc.co.nz

Photo: Awatea by Michael Smith

Capital E National Theatre for Children

Formed in 1997 the theatre presents New Zealand work for audiences aged two to 14.  Capital E has developed into a major touring organisation, presenting works to more than 600,000 patrons in New Zealand, Australia and Singapore.  From its Wellington base it tours two works each year to 20 New Zealand cities and also presents at regional festivals.

www.capitale.org.nz

Contact: Stephen Blackburn, Creative Producer, stephen.blackburn@wmt.org.nz

Photo: Hinepau by Stephen Acourt

Indian Ink Theatre Company

Now in its second decade Indian Ink is the result of a long standing and productive partnership between Justin Lewis and Jacob Rajan.  Together they have created a series of “remarkable theatre productions of intimate scale that remind audiences of the simple truths of life.”

www.indianink.co.nz

Contact: Louise Gallagher, Producer and General Manager, louise@indianink.co.nz

Photo: Guru of Chai by John McDermott

Kila Kokonut Krew

New Zealand’s leading professional Pacific theatre company. Its latest major success, The Factory – A Pacific Musical, has generated international interest. Kila Kokonut Krew is an advocate for emerging and established Pacific performing artists.

Contact: Anapela Polataivao, Company Director, kilakokonutkrew5@gmail.com

Photo: The Factory

Massive Company

Through 21 years of devising and collaborating with leading playwrights, this Auckland ensemble creates theatre where individuals are “deeply seen”.  Describing themselves as a company of curious people, their work is inspired by real life and presented in any combination of “authentic” physical and verbal story telling.

www.massivecompany.co.nz

Contact: Rochelle Bright, General Manager, rochelle@massivecompany.co.nz

Photo: The Brave by Matt Klitscher

Taki Rua Productions

Self defined as “creative rule breakers” who connect their heritage, present and future through contemporary theatre, Taki Rua focus on New Zealand stories.  “We are the call to our audiences and artists to celebrate and share stories that define and challenge the essence and perceptions of who we are as the indigenous culture of Aotearoa.”

www.takirua.co.nz

Contact: James Ashcroft, Tumuaki/Artistic Director, tumuaki@takirua.co.nz

Photo: Michael James Manaia

Theatre Beating

Describing themselves as creating high comedy for the lowly masses the company has produced, written, directed and performed nearly a dozen shows since 2003. Theatre Beating specialise in “Seussian stories, nail-biting stakes, comic tableaux, and characters you get to know, love, fear for, and care about, despite the fact they are idiots”.

Contact: Arthur Meek, arthurmeek@gmail.com

Photo: The magic chicken by Sascha Stejko Photography

 

 

Red Leap Theatre

A leading image and movement based theatre company under the artistic direction of Kate Parker and Julie Nolan. The company creates original work and delivers education and community engagement programmes in New Zealand and abroad. The company’s work is generally suitable for all ages and is described as “restlessly creative… endlessly inventive”.

www.redleaptheatre.co.nz

Contact: Lauren Hughes, lauren@redleaptheatre.co.nz

Photo: Paper Sky by John McDermott

Multi-disciplinary

Cuba Creative

A performing arts and creative production house, Cuba Creative specialises in bringing arts-based projects to life in partnership with leading and emerging creators.  Cuba Creative is a generator and presenter of ideas.

www.cubacreative.co.nz

Contact: Adrianne Roberts, Arts Producer, adrianne@cubacreative.co.nz

Photo: Moving stationery by Riku Virtanen

Jumpboard Productions

A producer of new New Zealand works including dance theatre by renowned New Zealand choreographer Douglas Wright and a new concept in live entertainment, Live Live Cinema.  The first Live Live Cinema production, Carnival of Souls has toured Australia, New Zealand and in October 2012 will perform in Frankfurt as part of New Zealand’s Guest of Honour programme at the Frankfurt Book Fair.  A follow-up production is in development: Francis Ford Coppola’s Dementia 13.

www.jumpboard.co.nz

www.livelivecinema.co.nz

Contact: Phil Evans, Director, phil@jumpboard.co.nz

Photo: Carnival of Souls

The Playground NZ

Specialising in award-winning visual and spatially considered performance productions the company has presented in New Zealand and Europe.  Playground NZ’s work ranges from dance-theatre productions to performance events and live art exhibitions.  Its projects feature “unique collaborations, strong concepts, arresting presentation techniques and artists of international standing”.

www.theplaygroundnz.com

Contact: Sam Trubridge, Director, theplaygroundnz@gmail.com

Photo: Sleep/Wake by Richard Robinson

Classical Music

New Zealand String Quartet

Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year the New Zealand String Quartet is “acclaimed by critics and loved by audiences”.  It has a reputation for energetic stance, imaginative programming of classical repertoire along with performances of fresh and unique New Zealand music.  The quartet regularly tours to North America, Europe, Asia and Australia as well as performing around New Zealand. 

www.nzsq.co.nz

Contact: Rose Campbell, Manager, rose.campbell@nzsq.co.nz

Photo: NZSQ by Maarten Holl

NZTrio

New Zealand’s foremost piano trio engages national and international audiences in “intimate and dynamic” performances that make classical music “approachable, meaningful and relevant”.  Celebrating 10 years together in 2012, Justine Cormack (violin), Ashley Brown (cello) and Sarah Watkins (piano) regularly commission works by Australasian composers and collaborate with a range of leading artists.

www.nztrio.com

Contact: Vanessa Zigliani, Manager, manager@nztrio.com

Photo: NZTrio by Kristian Frires