Footnote Dance

Footnote New Zealand Dance (founded in 1985) is New Zealand's oldest contemporary dance company.[1] Based in Wellington, it has been described as "New Zealand’s most enduring and influential contemporary dance company."[2]

History

Footnote was founded in 1985 by Wellington ballet teacher Deirdre Tarrant with a “dual commitment to fostering original works by local choreographers and composers, and establishing dance workshops in schools”.[3] Tarrant had recently returned from dancing overseas; her vision was to 'establish a real community of creative dance people as well as to develop contemporary dance in New Zealand'.[4] The company has played an important role in establishing and supporting contemporary dance in New Zealand.[5]

Footnote received government funding: in the early 1990s it shifted from project-based funding to receiving recurrent funding through Creative New Zealand.[6]

In 2005 Footnote established its 'Forte' season, where a New Zealand dance artists working internationally was brought back to New Zealand to create a new work for the company.[7]

Dancers and choreographers who have worked with Footnote include Michael Parmenter, Shona McCullagh, Malia Johnston, Raewyn Hill, Lisa Densen and Ross McCormack.[8] The company regularly tours in New Zealand, and has performed in Shanghai, Berlin, Brussels, Antwerp and London.[2]

In 2015 the company marked its 30th anniversary with 30 Forward, a programme of works commissioned over the past ten years from the Forte seasons and a new work by Malia Johnston, Flip Pivot Boom.[9][10]

Present–day company

In 2012 Tarrant stepped down as director and joined the company's arts advisory panel.[6] Tarrant was succeeded by Malia Johnston.[11] The current company general manager is Richard Aindow.

The company is headquartered on Wellington's Cuba Street. The company is funded through Creative New Zealand, Wellington City Council, Wellington Community Trust, The Lion Foundation, and individual and family donors.[12]

References
  1. Swarbrick, Nancy. "Creative life – Performing arts". Te Ara – Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  2. Horsley, Francesca. "Interview: Deirdre Tarrant on retiring from Footnote Dance Company". New Zealand Listener. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  3. Schultz, Marianne. "Contemporary dance – New companies and international work, 1990s to 2000s". Te Ara – Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  4. Judson, Natasha. "Deirdre Tarrant to leave Footnote". DominionPost. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  5. Ian, Lochhead. "Footnote put best foot forward". DominionPost. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  6. "Up, up and away, 1991". Te Ara – Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  7. Rae, Bernadette. "Three decades of dance have fitting celebration". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  8. Rae, Bernadette. "Footnote Dance at 30". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  9. Bate, Anna. "Shifting every which way". Theatre Review. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  10. Harvie, Julia. "Long may it continue". Theatre Review. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  11. "Footnote Dance announces new Director after 26 years". Creative New Zealand. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  12. "About Footnote New Zealand Dance". Footnote. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
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