Photography: Toaki Okano & Petra Leary (Drone)
About
Atamira Dance Company sits at the forefront of Māori contemporary dance in Aotearoa, New Zealand and upholds the principles of mana tangata - human rights, and mana whenua - the land and its traditional
custodians, in Aotearoa and globally.
Driven by choreographic and design excellence, Atamira's work embodies a unique artistic landscape shaped by the cultural identity of our people and their stories. The Atamira is the platform or stage on which the company performs, giving voice to these ancestral and contemporary Māori experiences through our bodies, through dance.
Atamira is integral to the contemporary performing arts sector, annually creating, presenting and touring both new and remounted works from a 24 year kete of repertoire. The company supports a sector of skilled professional dance artists and works with collaborators from diverse creative fields to realize each choreographic vision.
The foundation and impulse for all this creative work is a shared understanding and support of a Māori world view. As a celebration of diversity, innovation, dance, performance, and technology, Atamira dancers and collaborators create from a continuum of stories, interpretation, and memory. By mapping cultural processes with modern choreographic processes, Atamira's work acknowledges the impacts of the past on the present while continuously defining the future.
Community connections are strengthened through pre and post show talks, workshops and masterclasses.
On Tour
Te Wheke
Drawing on the whakapapa of Atamira Dance Company’s illustrious continuum and inspired by the symbology of the Octopus as kaitiaki, this large full-length work was collectively created by the leading navigators of Māori contemporary dance.
Ka Mua Ka Muri
Relating to Māori perspectives of time where past, present and the future are intertwined, this double bill of works from two exciting choreographers offers a contemporary dance experience that explores the significance of whakapapa while defining new aspirations for the future.
Te Wheke
Photography: Toaki Okano & Petra Leary (Drone)
Credits
CONCEPT
Artistic Director, Jack Gray
Executive Director, Marama Lloydd
CHOREOGRAPHERS
Bianca Hyslop
Dolina Wehipeihana
Gabrielle Thomas
Jack Gray
Kelly Nash
Kura Te Ua
Louise Potiki Bryant
Taane Mete
ASSISTANT DIRECTORS
Kelly Nash
Taane Mete
PROJECTION DESIGNER
Louise Potiki Bryant
SOUND DESIGNER
Paddy Free
SET DESIGNER
John Verryt
LIGHTING DESIGNER
Vanda Karolczak
COSTUME DESIGNER
Marama Lloydd
DRAMATURG
Dolina Wehipeihana
Running time: 75 mins
Dancers On Stage: #8
Touring Personnel: #7- 8 (plus dancers)
Created and premiered in 2021, Te Wheke drew from the 21 year whakapapa of Atamira Dance Company’s illustrious continuum. Inspired by the symbology of the Octopus as kaitiaki, this large full-length work was collectively created by the leading navigators of Māori contemporary dance to offer insights into universal concepts through a Mātauranga Māori lens.
Eight dancers and eight choreographic practitioners - tuakana and teina, journey into the esoteric dimensions of human experience, revealing the eight tentacles of Te Wheke – Mauri / life essence, Whānau / family, Wairua / the spiritual world, Whatumanawa / the emotional realm, Hinengaro / the intuitive mind, Mana Ake / self determination, Tūpuna / ancestors, Tinana / the physical body.
Solo and ensemble movement expressions occur within a sleek shape shifting world of floating black silk. Layers of Te Ao Māori emanate through accomplished patterns of video design, mesmeric soundscapes and subtle shimmering garments with reflective lighting enhancing the darkness and light.
“Te Wheke is sublimely fluid and unwaveringly beautiful.”
-Theatreview (2021)
Ka Mua Ka Muri
Photography: Sacha Stejko
Credits
CHOREOGRAPHERS
Remain
Eddie Elliott
Whakamaheahea
Bianca Hyslop
SET and COSTUME DESIGNER
Rona Ngahuia Osborne
LIGHTING DESIGN
Owen McCarthy
PROJECTION DESIGN
Remain
Owen McCarthy
Whakamaheahea
Dan Mace
SOUND DESIGN
Eden Mulholland
Running time: 75 minutes
Dancers On Stage: #6
Touring Personnel: #4 to 5 plus dancers
Atamira Dance Company encompasses and uplifts the voices of acclaimed choreographers and long -time collaborators, Bianca Hyslop and Eddie Elliott in this unique and powerful double bill KA MUA KA MURI.
Derived from and inspired by, the whakatauki Kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua, KA MUA KA MURI relates to Māori perspectives of time where the past, present and the future are intertwined, offering a contemporary dance experience that explores both the significance of whakapapa while defining new aspirations for the future.
Remain by Eddie Elliott (Ngāti Maniapoto) explores the continuity and vitality of whakapapa, tikanga, and a deep connection to Tūpuna, emphasizing the importance of preserving these cultural foundations to honor the past, understand the present, and shape a promising future for rangatahi.
Whakamaheahea by Bianca Hyslop (Te Arawa) showcases urban Māori experiences by transcending loss-based narratives, embracing multifaceted identities that encompass divine, ancestral, and human elements, and weaving stories of empowerment, transformation, and resilience to inspire a brighter collective future.
By intertwining these perspectives, this collaboration offers a holistic view of the continuum of cultural identity. Hyslop’s focus on the future provides a lens through which to envision how the values, customs, and knowledge preserved in Elliott’s work will be carried forward and adapted by future generations. Similarly, Elliott’s exploration of the past grounds Hyslop’s forward-looking perspective, highlighting the deep roots and enduring relevance of te ira tangata.
Bound together by a stellar design team, a cast of dynamic Māori dance artists and the high-quality production values that Atamira is known for, this double bill, full of energy and heart, invites audiences to experience a transformative hour where tradition collides with innovation, and past, present, and future converge on stage.
"Having each made 2 significant works as independent choreographers over the last 6 years, it has been very exciting to welcome Bianca and Eddie back into the whare of Atamira to work with our collaborative and unique dancers."
Ka Mua Ka Muri has truly been an inspiring unfolding of creativity manifested by our skilled dance, design and technical artists and we hope our audiences enjoy an invigorating and inspiring arts experience”
Executive Director Marama Lloydd (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu, Te Rarawa)
"Through dance, we express the heartbeat of our Māori souls, a living and moving language that honours our ancestors and celebrates our collective identity. To watch us dance is to hear the whispers of our past intertwining with our present, weaving our heritage into the fabric of the future. We share our art to not only preserve our legacy but also in hope that it inspires, connects, and uplifts our whānau and community.”
Artistic Manager Kelly Nash (Ngāi te Rangi, Ngāpuhi)
