Page 11 - Southwell_The Chronicle_December 2019
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  ALUMNI FEATURE
DANCING TO THE MUSIC
HANNAH MCFARLANE - OLD GIRL, 2001-2008
 Hannah talks to us about her love of dance, aspira-   
Dancing has always been a huge part of my life; it is a pas- sion and brings me a lot of joy. Mum, seeing my love for music and movement from a young age, put me in a dance             Dance at Waikato Dio I started choreography, at the time             the new drama teacher, Tanya Gould, was a dancer and I asked if she would teach me and she took me under her wing. I also took drama, trying to merge it with dance as            the arts I was awarded honours in drama and dance, along with further awards for dance, drama, service and citizen- ship.
The following year I headed down to Wellington to study a Diploma in Performing Arts (commercial dance) at the Whitireia Performance Centre. This was two years of experi- ence in all areas and styles of dance - including partner- ing and circus- plus academic subjects such as anatomy, nutrition and dance history. Returning to Hamilton I began teaching at Limelight Dance Academy and through this got involved in the Hamilton theatre scene resulting in a lot of opportunities and projects opening up. Currently I am also      
allet was probably the biggest part of my life in training, but Jazz and Contemporary dance were always my love as I felt they suited my personality and physicality better. I enjoy the ability to portray emotion and narrative through con- temporary and lyrical dance as well as the line of dance in this capacity, but I also love the energy you can pass to the audience through musical theatre.
All the classic TV shows were always very inspirational, being the most accessible way to see international work. The Royal         
in terms of creativity and physical storytelling, I saw Red Leap Theatre whilst at high school and they still continue to inspire me in the way they devise, create and play. My teach-             in my ability and allowed me to step into my own space of creativity. That is why it is now such an honour to work there and recently be inducted into the arts hall of fame!
T       yourself. As a dancer you are thinking about what you
            
choreographer you have to remove yourself from your own little world and focus on the big picture as well as the little details. It is so important to have the two roles of dancer and choreographer working well together.
R         New Works Incubator Program with my show Wonderland. We presented the opening scene to the panel and were very             This meant we had a bit of funding to create the entire show ready for presentation to Creative New Zealand, where they would decide if the show should be funded further. I then sat down with my mentors and we discussed what worked          - gested that we take what worked - the essence and charm of the show and the wonderful character archetypes and put it into a new context to start fresh. This is where ‘Three Little                     as told through movement in music and space, ‘Three Little             the memories that shape us for life. A timeless reminder for all ages. I am really excited to present ‘Three Little Words”
         
hopefully tour with it around New Zealand.
Looking ahead I hope to go on a study exchange to the
        
work internationally, however this is very much big dreams at the moment.
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