02 Oct 2009
A newly formed Contemporary dance company, ‘Southern Lights Dance Company’ is set to take this year’s Body Festival in Christchurch by storm.
In its world premiere debut season the company, with the support of Creative New Zealand and the Christchurch Arts Centre’s Artist in Residency Programme, will present three new works by New Zealand choreographers Shona McCullagh (Arts Foundation Laureate Artist) and Fleur de Thier and American choreographer Zöe Scofield (Christchurch Arts Centre Artist in Residence).
With performers - Will Barling, Charene Griggs, Julia Milsom, Hannah Tasker Poland, Erica Viedma and Nancy Wijohn, this promises to be a splendid night of contemporary dance and a debut season to remember.
The company is the brainchild of Body Festival director Adam Hayward and he sees it as a strong addition to the Christchurch and New Zealand dance scene. “The aim of the company is to commission around three new works each year from emerging and established New Zealand and International choreographers. The works will go into repertoire and in time we hope the company will tour these collective works which will all be showcased by a small, and easily tourable, group of New Zealand dancers,” Hayward says.
“I’m hugely grateful to Creative New Zealand and the Christchurch Arts Centre for their support in helping this project come to fruition and also to the US Embassy and Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation for their support in aiding Zoë’s participation in the company. I can’t wait to see the results of the first season during this year’s festival”
Southern Lights Dance Company performs during the Body Festival at the Ngaio Marsh Theatre on Friday 9th and Saturday 10th October with tickets available through the Court Theatre booking office (03) 963 0870
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