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WEDNESDAY 24 August 2016
Vast Dance Festival celebrates five years
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From left, Grace Rackley, Sophie Renwick and Cassie Samuels from Waimea College perform in last years Vast Dance Festival. Photo: Supplied.
Jessie Johnston Vast Dance Festival is an annual celebration of secondary school dance that is about to see its fifth birthday. The event gives students from colleges in Nelson, Tasman, Marlborough and the West Coast, the opportunity to showcase pieces they have choreographed and performed for NCEA assessment. This year, seven schools will be participating in the festival including Motueka High, Waimea College, Garin College, Nayland College, Nelson College for Girls, Nelson College and Greymouth High. Each school has the chance to submit three dances of any genre which will be performed at the Theatre Royal. Although not a competitive event, when students experience theatre conditions, “it really raises the bar of their performances,” says Waimea College teacher, Mel Stewart. Set to be held on Wednesday, August 31, the festival will also include workshops for students to take part in when they are not rehearsing. The musical theatre and salsa sessions will be led by local teachers, Okiwi Hawkins and Neil Robinson, while the contemporary dance workshop will be taken by Joash Tuugamusu, from Black Grace Dance Co, based in Auckland. “Students love the opportunity to perform on the Theatre Royal stage in front of an audience, under theatre lighting,” says Mel. “Some students will not have performed on this stage before and this, coupled with the professionally run workshops, makes the festival a great opportunity for students to grow in skills and confidence.” This year the festival will also be operated by a student crew, including stage management, sound and lighting. The day culminates in a gala performance for the public at 7pm, doors opening at 6:30pm, with tickets available through the Theatre Royal website, theatreroyalnelson.co.nz
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