Pacific Dance New Zealand NEWS

Applications still open for the Choreolab 2011
26 Aug 2011

26^th August 2011

Pacific Dance New Zealand (PDNZ) in association with Dance Aotearoa New Zealand (DANZ) Auckland Council and Creative New Zealand present the 2011 Pacific Dance Choreographic Laboratory.

This event, in its third year, offers three emerging to mid-career choreographers or directors of Pacific Island descent the opportunity to devise works over a three-week period culminating in a showing of work developed during the lab.

The choreographers also have the benefit of working with a mentor during the lab. This year’s mentor is well-known dancer and choreographer Neil Ieremia.

Ieremia is the founder and current artistic director of Black Grace, which he formed in 1995 and has toured extensively throughout New Zealand and overseas. Black Grace today is New Zealand’s foremost contemporary dance company.  

Pacific Dance NZ director Iosefa Enari says he is very pleased Ieremia has come on board and appreciates the skill and experience he brings with him.

He says, Ieremia has a knowledge base comprising expertise in contemporary dance, international touring, an understanding of Pacific dance and the needs of Pacific dance practitioners – which will be invaluable to the selected choreographers and dancers in this year’s lab.

As part of the laboratory Ieremia will deliver a master class, give advice to the choreographers and oversee the smooth running of production into the theatrical showing at the end of the lab.

This is a great opportunity for choreographers wishing to work with a select number of dancers - create, experiment, grow and solidify a work around an idea with the support of a mentor and the team at Pacific Dance NZ.

Participants of the choreographic lab over the past two years have moved on to develop and present their works at various other events and even won awards at such festivals as the Tempo Dance Festival. The feedback from both participants and the community who have come to support the lab has been very positive and PDNZ hopes this year will be just as constructive and upbeat.

PDNZ is seeking choreographers/directors and dancers who wish to take on this challenge to apply at http://pacificdance.co.nz/choreolab_2011.php.

Applications close on Tuesday 6^th September.

For enquiries,

Email: auckland@pacificdance.co.nz (subject line – choreolab)

Phone: Auckland, 09 370 0487

Participants (choreographers and dancers) will be paid for the duration of the lab but out of Auckland applicants if selected will have to find their own accommodation.