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STRUCTURE
2023
STRUCTURE exists as a metaphorical magnifying glass. The show highlights the ways in which external structures control our lives in the era of late-stage Capitalism. What causes us to follow the norm and what happens when we deviate from this? STRUCTURE encourages the audience to gaze inwards, examining the harsh rigidity of impersonal structures and the gentleness of interpersonal connections.
Exploring themes of social interconnectivity, mental health, the loneliness epidemic, grief, loss, hope and joy, this show will transport you through a meditative, melancholic yet hopeful reflection on what it means to exist in 2023.
Choreographic Direction: Bella Wilson
Producer: Madison Cronin
Lead Dancers: Brittany Kohler, Gus Syben, Kit Reilly & Natasha Kohler
Ensemble Dancers: Abi Jones, Alexandra Lamm, Carla Harré, Deborah Fletcher, Erin Meek, Holly Finch, Jess Crompton & Joanna Cook
Understudies: Lara Chuo, Tess Doorman-Smith, Peni Fakaua & Woody Sabanhdt.
Composer: Flo Wilson
Choreographic Mentor: Lucy Marinkovich
Costume Designer: Lisa EcEwan
Lighting Designer: Paul Bennett
Av Designer: Yin-Chi Lee
Photography: Jinki Cambronero
Shown at: Raye Freedman Arts Centre, Auckland 2023
Contribution to & support of previous STRUCTURE development periods:
Lucy Guerin Inc. (Melbourne), Wellesley Studios, Creative New Zealand, Unitec Dance, The University of Auckland - Dance Studies department, Dance24Seven, Zoë Nicholson, Tūī Hofmann, Jaz Yahel, Alexa Wilson, Cat Ruka, Sarah Foster-Sproull, James O’Hara, Katrina Todd, Adam Naughton, Sharvon Mortimer, Oli Mathiesen, Katrina Bastian, Raven Afoa-Purcell, Kimberley Halberg, Elani Austin-Tennant, Issie Cassidy, Ruchi Ahuja, Celia Hext, Cade Hansen, Katie Shaw, Cecilia Wilcox, Nahyeon Lee & Janaína Moraes.
Theatreview Review: Nicole Wilkie
Theatreview Review: Felicity Molloy
MEAT
2018-2019
Goodbye conscious consumer, hello capitalist perfection, from farm to fridge all neatly disguised for your ethical pleasure.
MEAT offers an immersive and penetrating dive into the unsettling psychology of consumption; what are you consuming and what consumes you?
Choreographic Direction: Tūī Hofmann
Producer: Zöe Nicholson
Peformers: Bella Wilson, Brittany Kohler, Jaz Yahel, Natasha Kohler, Rose Tapsell (2018 iteration), Tūī Hofmann
(2019 iteration)
Sound Designer: Alex Zielinski (Riyoon)
Costume Designer: Lisa McEwan
Textile Designer: Elise Li
Lighting Designer: Paul Bennett
Av Designer: Sam Folkhard-Hodgson
Set Designer: Achmed Abman
Photography: Justin Spiers
Shown at: Basement Theatre (Premiere Season 2018), BATS Theatre Wellington - NZ Fringe Festival 2019, Dunedin Fringe Festival (2019), ONEONESIX Theatre - Whangārei (2019), Abbotsford Convent - Industrial School, Melbourne Fringe (2019)
Awards: MEAT was nominated for Outstanding Design, Best in Fringe and won Best Dance at the Dunedin Fringe Awards 2019.
Theatreview Review: Hannah Molloy
MAGNIFICENT REMAINS
2021
What remains when we offer surrealism to the body? How does one dance with the subconscious?
Magnificent Remains is a contemporary dance work by Brittany Kohler in collaboration with Dance Plant Collective, inspired by the surrealism movement. It is a nod to the original Surrealists, who, in pursuit of liberation turned to the unconscious mind.
Choreographic Direction: Brittany Kohler
Producer: Zoë Nicholson
Dancers: Amber Liberté, Bella Wilson, Jacob Reynolds, Miriam Eskilden, Natasha Kohler, Raven Afoa-Purcell, Tūī Hofmann
Choreographic Mentor: Rose Philpott
Sound Designer: james risbey
Costume Designer: Zoë McNicholas
Lighting Designer: Paul Bennett
Photography: Jinki Cambronero
Shown at: LOT23, Auckland 2021 (Premiere Season)
Theatreview Review: Lucien Johnson
THE COST OF
ARMS AND LEGS
2018
A ritual, in three slices, giving trust to natural discoveries and curiosity. They present these slices between mind and magic, giving light to darkness and answers to no questions. They are each their own and own their slices. As we are, in similarity and unknown, finding space within boundaries and boundaries within space.
A wordplay, a movement play, and a look at the fallings into place within their art form. Dance Plant Collective present a look at our thoughts, our relationships, and the unknown.
Choreographic Direction: Bella Wilson ('Cha(order)s'), Brittany Kohler & Natasha Kohler (Rituals of Similarity)
Producer: Zoë Nicholson
Performers: Bella Wilson, Brittany Kohler, Jaz Yahel, Natasha Kohler
Sound Designer: james risbey
Lighting Design: Paul Bennett
Photography: Peter Jennings
Shown at: Studio One — Toi Tū - Auckland Fringe Festival 2018, Short & Sweet Dance Festival 2018 (Rituals of Similarity)
Awards: 'Best Newcomers Award - Company' - Auckland Fringe Awards 2018, DANZ Choreographic Mentorship Award 2018 (Rituals of Similarity).
DESPERATE LATE NIGHT ENERGY
2019
Desperate Late Night Energy! A blend of colour, sounds, electronic beats and hypnotising dance moves. Boycrush and Dance Plant Collective have come together to create a night of unhinged madness and magic. Prepare to be allured.
Boycrush released their album Desperate Late Night Energy in 2018, and it received rave reviews. They were nominated for a VNZMA for Best Electronic Artist and for the Critic's Choice Award. Boycrush has previously opened for Lorde, Kimbra, and Liam Finn.
Choreographic Direction & Peformance: Bella Wilson, Brittany Kohler, Jaz Yahel, Natasha Kohler, Tūī Hofmann
Producer: Zoë Nicholson
Music & Live Peformance: Boycrush
Costume Design: RUBY
Lighting Design: Paul Bennett
Photography: Peter Jennings
Shown at: Basement Theatre - Auckland Fringe Festival 2019
Awards: 'Best Costume' and 'Best Music' Auckland Fringe Awards Night
DESIRE LINE(S)
Paths that pedestrians take informally - in spite of urban design
Why do we stay "on track" when the route just goes in circles? What drives us to stray from sanctioned pathways? How do we harmonize our desires?
and where does spontaneity lead us?''
Desire Line(s) was Dance Plant's first work as a collective and was premiered in early 2017. Co-choreographed by the full collective, the work had a successful season at Auckand's Samoa House and was re-developed into a series of short films later in 2018.
Choreographic Direction & Performance: Bella Wilson, Brittany Kohler, Jaz Yahel, Natasha Kohler, Rose Tapsell, Tūī Hofmann
Sound Design: Flo Wilson
Lighting Design: Paul Bennett
Photography: Ben O'Connor (A still from Desire Line(s) short films
Shown at: Samoa House, Auckland 2017