Former Kuranui College student Amelia Butcher is turning her passion for dance and choreography into a career, with her latest project about to hit the Wellington stage.
Her contemporary dance show, Zenith, opens at BATS Theatre September 5 for five nights.
The 45-minute performance “explores the process and depth of perceptions connected to achieving one’s ‘zenith’”, Butcher said.
The cast of five dancers – which includes Butcher – are all current students or graduates of the commercial dance course at Te Auaha, the New Zealand Institute of Creativity.
It is Butcher’s second show under her emerging choreography brand, Jenire.
“After my first show, Amygdala, at the NZ Fringe Festival in Wellington, I didn’t want it to end,” Butcher said.
Her pitch for Zenith to BATS was successful and she decided to “go for it”.
Butcher’s former teacher at Kuranui, Juanita McLellen, is not surprised by her success in her chosen career.
“Amelia shone as a dance and drama student when she was at Kuranui.
“In her final year, she choreographed a beautiful piece for Showquest around the battle of Wairarapa Moana, which was nationally placed.”
In between preparing for Zenith and teaching dance privately, Butcher, who “enjoys being busy”, is also covering maternity leave at Kuranui, teaching students a couple of hours a day.
Zenith opens at BATS Theatre in Wellington on September 5. For tickets, visit www.bats.co.nz/whats-on/zenith/
