Powerful Visual Dance Theatre

Curve Dance Collective's SIGNED. is an evocative new 3-piece dance theatre epic devised by four choreographers; Becca Wood (Curve, 5 Girls Called Doris), Dolina Wehipeihana - Ngati Raukawa, Ngati Tukorehe (Atamira, Touch Compass 2002), Kelly Nash (Curve, Queen Camel, Inland, Limbs Retrospective) and Louise Potiki Bryant - Kai Tahu (Atamira).

Kelly Nash -
'a disarming freshness and a sense of wonder.' NZ Listener

Louise Potiki Bryant -
'...a moving and beautifully crafted piece.' NZ Listener

Signed. Brings an exciting new collaboration for Curve with well-known and much respected Maori actress Waimihi Hotere - (Ngati Maniapoto, Te Aupouri/Te Rarawa, Ngati Wai), as dramaturg. Waimihi's strength in facilitating theatre from a Maori perspective will contribute a challenging direction for the choreographers in the making of this work.

Signed. embodies the humanity of the Treaty of Waitangi through the poetry of the moving body, layered with visual imagery, text and sound.

The concept for Signed. is based on and around the Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti o Waitangi. The all-female collective are a mixture of Maori, Pakeha, Asian, Italian, English and Irish, Scottish decent. Coloured by their cultural diversity the choreography will reflect contrasting perspectives, creating a distinct evening of dance theatre.

'The language of dance is an alternative way to communicate ideas around this controversial subject.' - Becca Wood.

The collective have together and individually been exploring and researching the Treaty of Waitangi, which has become the foundation for their own relations, as a unit and as individual voices. Respecting and understanding the philosophies behind the treaty, the collective have gained insight in developing their own kaupapa.

6 Performers in total: Kelly Nash, Dolina Wehipeihana, Becca Wood, Louise Potiki Bryant, Kerryn McMurdo and Liana Yew.

3 Performances only
03 July - 05 July, 2003 : 8.00PM
Tickets $25/20 from Ticketek (09) 307 5000
HERALD THEATRE, AOTEA CENTRE, THE EDGE

Curve Dance Collective - '...a powerful visual force... fueled by a vital and innovative spirit.' - Caroline Bell-Booth - George FM

For further information, offers of support or enquiries about the project please contact:
Becca Wood - becca@duotone.co.nz

Background Information
The concept for this new work began with a workshop (supported by Creative Communities) for Curve to learn about the Treaty of Waitangi and begin a small new dance work. The workshop included morning lecture sessions and discussions on The Treaty with Christine Herzog, from Manakau Polytechnic. Christine is an inspiring woman and we discussed how dance theatre could become an encouraging and exciting way to communicate the story of the Treaty.

The lectures were informative and emotionally stirring, which lead to a workshopping process rich in ideas about human relations, as well as our nations history. We became conscious that so few people understand the agreement that was signed between Maori and the early settlers who came to live here.

The Treaty is a mountain of political and emotional history. Through dance theatre, an art form that can express beyond the capabalities of spoken and written language we aim to encourage New Zealanders to develop an understanding of The Treaty.

Key Objectives:

• To develop narratives that communicate stories of the Treaty.
• To create a new dance theatre work that communicates the significance of the Treaty in New Zealand.
• To develop new ways of creating dance through collaboration with a theatrical director.
• To maintain and develop relationships with supporting artists in related fields.
• To make creative and progressive contemporary dance theatre of an exceptional standard.
• To present professional inventive dance theatre to Auckland audiences.
• To increase awareness and inform the public about the Treaty of Waitangi.
• To foster relationships with Treaty of Waitangi advisers.
• To encourage learning and interest about the Treaty of Waitangi among secondary schools.
• To extend Curve's dance audience through accessible and topical contemporary dance theatre.

Find out more about Curve in the Curve Archives