Weekly Sacre Update # 8

 

Welcome to your weekly update for

Sacre: The Auckland Dance Project

Proudly part of the REAL New Zealand Festival

For more information about the project, visit the APO website.

What’s been happening

With the Aotea Centre performance of Sacre: The Auckland Dance Project just over a week away (14 October, to be precise), activity surrounding all aspects of the project has increased as the final pieces of the puzzle fall into place. You may have seen Sacre in the news...

• Sacre  features at number 14 in Metro magazine’s October ‘Top 20’, and is described as a  as ‘a remarkable project’. Indeed it is.

Dancers from Tangaroa College also feature in Metro (see right). The stunning image, taken by APO photographer Adrian Malloch, captures the spirit, energy and determination the students are bringing to rehearsals.

• Marnie Hallahan of the Central Leader wrote a fantastic article, ‘Students on their toes’, last Friday after a visit to Hay Park School for a dance rehearsal. The article captures the positive impact Sacre is having on the dancers. View the article in full on our Sacre blog.

Marnie also produced two more articles after visiting Sacre’s costume designer, Marama Lloydd, at her studio. ‘Designs on dance outfits’ appeared in the Western Leader while ‘Costumes made to fit the show’ was in the Auckland City Harbour News. Both articles display an image of Marama with a (much anticipated) Sacre t-shirt.

Media interest high

• Sacre will remain in the headlines over the coming week as interest in the project continues. Students from Mt Albert Grammar School welcomed music academic and critic Dr. William Dart from the New Zealand Herald yesterday. We look forward to reading what is sure to be a compelling article.

Pakuranga Intermediate School (pictured right) received a visit from the lovely Sophie Wilson of Radio Zealand. Sophie interviewed Sacre’s artistic director and choreographer, Royston Maldoom, along with Volker

Eisenach, assistant choreographer, and New Zealand choreographer Moss Patterson. Sophie wasn’t sure when her story will air, but tune in to Upbeat on Radio NZ Concert (101FM) next week, Monday to Friday 12pm – 1:30pm, or keep an eye on our Sacre blog for details on when it plays.

Students rise to the challenge

 • Expectations of the dancers have been raised this week as preparations for production week begin. Royston continually asks the students, “What impression are you trying to give the audience? What’s the drama?” placing emphasis on the dynamics of the performance rather than simply mastering the technique of the movements.

These expectations reflect Royston’s belief that “you can change your life in a dance class”. This view inspired award-winning documentary, Rhythm Is It, produced following a similar journey by 250 youngsters as they worked alongside Royston Maldoom and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.

Pakuranga Intermediate teacher, Jessica Taylor, has already noticed the positive impact Royston has had on the local students. “The messages that Royston gives them are almost more important than the movement. Being proud of yourself. Standing on your own two feet. It’s like life coaching” she said.

The Sacre family grows

We are pleased to welcome another highly talented dancer, Megan Adams, to Sacre’s artistic team. Megan is well regarded in New Zealand as a dancer, choreographer, rehearsal director and teacher.

Sacre Blog
• Make sure you keep an eye on the Sacre blog regularly for updates and sneak peeks. If you have any great images or news, send them to HelenS@apo.co.nz with ‘Sacre blog’ in the subject line.

Upcoming events

• 9 October, APO Music Director (and conductor for Sacre) Eckehard Stier returns to New Zealand

• 10 October, dancers meet as a full group for the first time as rehearsals commence at TelstraClear Pacific (TCP)

• 12 October, dancers and musicians meet each other for the first time at TCP

• 12 October, The Rite of Spring dress rehearsal at TCP

• 13 October, rehearsals at Aotea Centre

• 14 October, rehearsals at Aotea Centre

• 14 October, Sacre: The Auckland Dance Project performance, Aotea Centre, 7:30pm. As well as The Rite of Spring, the concert includes a kapa haka performance by Te Pou Whakairo, and part 1 of Gareth Farr’s From the Depths Sound the Great Sea Gongs.              

Sacre: The Auckland Dance Project Friday 14 October, 7.30pm

ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre. Purchase tickets from THE EDGE

Prices: Adults/Senior: $45 $35, $25
Child/Student/Community Service Card holders: $30, $20, $10

For more information please contact Richard Betts, Publicist, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, p: (09) 638 6266 x210; m: 021 520 546, e: richardb@apo.co.nz