Performance to generate NZ interest in site-specific dance

An Auckland-based dance company is preparing to stage one of New Zealand’s first site-specific dance performances at four public city locations.

The performance, directed by Trip Stumble Fall Productions, features five dancers performing to live music in small pedestrian spaces around central Auckland.

Site-specific dance is a contemporary genre of performance in which a dance routine is designed to be performed in a space other than a traditional stage setting.

Xinia Alderson, artistic director and choreographer of Trip Stumble Fall Productions, said site-specific dance is "pretty popular and more well-known" in the USA and Europe, and is hoping to generate interest in the genre in New Zealand.

The performance, entitled Dances for Small Spaces, will take place on Friday evening at four consecutive public sites, including a door frame, a park bench, a staircase, and an alleyway.

Ticket holders are instructed to meet at the Albert Park Fountain and walk between each of the four sites as a group. The performance is expected to run for approximately 45 minutes.

Dancers Jane Carter and Kimberley Young rehearsing in Albert Park. Photo: Janie Cameron

Each of the four pieces has a story influenced by the site, said Ms Alderson. For example, the piece performed in the doorway depicts someone trying to enter the door to see if anyone is home.

“We abstract the movements that relate to the space,” Ms Alderson said.

The first site is the smallest, with just one dancer performing, and each piece “builds in the size of the space and the number of dancers used”, Ms Alderson added.

Dancer Kimberley Young said the use of pedestrian-accessible sites had posed challenges during rehearsals because members of the public are often using the spaces.

“You get to the park bench and there’s already someone sitting on it,” she said.

Founded in April 2011 by Ms Alderson, Trip Stumble Fall Productions is a contemporary dance company who like to “play, explore and investigate the concept of movement”.

Dances for Small Spaces takes place this Friday April 29.