A mini series celebrating individual dancers, showcasing their authentic self expression through movement and cinematography.
DANCE PORTRAITS
Dance Portraits serves as a platform dedicated to curating the unique movement and personalities of individual dancers. Through a deliberate focus on their movement qualities and artistic expressions, these films celebrate the vast tapestry of diversity within the dance world. No two individuals embody identical patterns. It is within these nuances that the foundations of their unparalleled identities emerge.
The choice to present these dancers through short form films emanates from a desire to provide audiences with a fleeting yet expressive snapshot. While a minute of observation may not fully encapsulate their artistic essence, it is our desire that viewers obtain a beautiful glimpse into the intricacies that define these unique people.
This will be an ongoing series so keep an eye out for more content coming very soon.
Films feature music by
Anna Edie, Asap Ju, gram.683
Ollie Carruthers
Born and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau, Oliver graduated from Unitec with a degree majoring in Contemporary Dance. He has just spent four years with Footnote New Zealand Dance company, performing in a multitude of national tours during this time. Oliver has also performed with The New Zealand Dance Company, Okareka Dance Company, and World of Wearable Art. Recently, he was a featured dancer and co-choreographer for Hollie Smith’s music video for the second single off her new album. Oliver's other performance credits include the BBC’s Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular and acting roles in the New Zealand TV series Hillary, and the American TV series Ash v Evil Dead.
Georgia Beechey
Georgia is a dance artist predominantly based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Aotearoa (Wellington, New Zealand). Having graduated from Unitec with a bachelors majoring in Contemporary Dance she went on to work with Footnote New Zealand Dance (2017-2019). Recently she’s been focussing on choreographing her own work through the production company Speaking Spines; creating community workshops and experimental movement sessions; co-running Somatic Incubator and managing Human Dance. Since freelancing she has choreographed work for Wellington Fringe as well as worked with friends and collaborators at House of Sand, Dance Plant Collective and Threading Frames.
Gabriella Mersi
Gabriella grew up in Wellington and completed a contemporary dance degree at Unitec in Auckland, graduating in 2014. Since then Gabriella has worked extensively as a Freelance dancer, splitting her time between Australia and New Zealand. She has worked with a range of artists and companies including Java Dance Theatre, House of Sand, The New Zealand Dance Company, Movement of the Human and Discotheque. She co-choreographed and performed Lost Property in 2019 Wellington Fringe Festival, and performed Hofesh Shechter’s tHE bAD in the 2020 Perth Festival. She moved to the London in 2022 and has enjoyed following her curiosities; researching and exploring through residencies around the UK and Portugal. In 2023 also Gabriella completed her qualification as a Polestar Pilates comprehensive instructor.
Riley Bourne
Riley Bourne is a Dancer, Choreographer, and Dance Educator from New Zealand who strives to inspire and uplift like-minded individuals in his local community, and all across the globe. Throughout the 20 years of Riley’s dance journey, he has had several years training in Hip Hop Syllabus work earning himself credentials and techniques in teaching dance. He has gained a lot of experience as a teacher, having taught workshops in many countries such as the USA, India, France, Taiwan, South Korea, the Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand. Riley has also had an extensive amount of experience in the commercial dance industry as both a Choreographer and Dancer, having Choreographed multiple Music Videos for New Zealand artists such as Kings, SWIDT, and Jarna, as well as performing in various live shows and Music Videos across Asia, Europe, and the USA. Most recently, Riley performed as a Dancer at the world renowned Coachella Music Festival with Headlining act "BLACKPINK".
RUFFIAN