“Rain” comes to Wellington

15 March 2013

“Rain”, an interactive dance performance by Christchurch company Jolt Dance described by one audience member as “mesmerising”, is coming to Wellington from 15 to 19 April.

Aimed particularly at people with complex disabilities, “Rain” is described as a sensory journey using dance, storytelling, puppetry, film and props, and allowing for one-on-one interaction between performers and the audience.

However, Lyn Cotton, Artistic Director of Jolt Dance, says the work has wide appeal. “The season in Christchurch last year was incredibly well-received and we’re really looking forward to performing it to people in Wellington.” 

A leading New Zealand integrated dance company, Jolt Dance received a Creative New Zealand grant to develop and perform “Rain” in Christchurch, Wellington and Dunedin.

Arts For All in action

Lyn says the grant was “absolutely essential” in the development and presentation of the work. “For me, the grant is also about recognising the rights of disabled people to participate in the arts. It’s one example of Arts For All in action.”

Arts For All is a partnership programme between Arts Access Aotearoa and Creative New Zealand.

Usually, Jolt Dance produces work that integrates disabled and non-disabled dancers. In “Rain”, however, the three dancers (Nylla Tamati, Michael Leota and Renee Ryan) and  musician (Mike Hill) are non-disabled.

“With this work, we wanted to focus on providing a satisfying sensory and interactive experience for people with complex disabilities,” Lyn explains. “We also want to challenge traditional notions of the relationship between the audience and performer.”

No two performances the same

No two performances of “Rain” will be the same, and audience energy and responses will vary from show to show.

Established in Christchurch in 2001, Jolt has been providing dance training and performance opportunities for people with intellectual and physical disabilities for more than ten years. It also has an outreach programme operating in Dunedin.

In 2009, Jolt Dance received Arts Access Aotearoa’s Big ‘A’ Creative Space Award.

Performances of “Rain” are limited to 22 people per show. Workshops are also available and can be tailored to suit the group. Tickets to the show or participation in a workshop are  $5 per person.

“Rain” will be be performed run at the Newlands Community Centre, 9 Bachelor St, Newlands, Wellington from 15 to 19 April. To book, please contact Lyn Cotton (T: 03 332 0074 E: lyncotton@hotmail.com). The Dunedin performances will be held later in the year.