Auckland Arts Festival: Troupe finds strength in diversity

Cedar Lake's Navarra Novy-Williams warms up before a dress rehearsal. Photo / Jason Oxenham

New York-based company’s dancers, here for Arts Festival, from many backgrounds, says artistic director

Since this is the first time New York dance company Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet has come to New Zealand, members can be forgiven for not being sunsmart.

On Tuesday, some of the group's 15 dancers - many of whom have performed with artists like Beyonce, Britney Spears and Rihanna - went to Waiheke Island to spend time in the sun, the sea and, rumour has it, on the wine as well.

A few of them returned rather pink, but by Wednesday they were back on the mainland, stretching their toned bodies and perfecting their positions ahead of the company's New Zealand debut.

Last night, Cedar Lake's premiere at The Civic was the first of the company's four shows, part of the Auckland Arts Festival.

Artistic director Alexandra Damiani said the company's "ballet" title could be misleading - so anyone hoping for pointe shoes and tutus may be disappointed.

"We have 15 very diverse dancers from different backgrounds, of different races and body types and ages. They are versatile. They can dance in pointe shoes but at the same time can do work that's very grounded and earthy."

Cedar Lake was founded as a non-profit organisation in 2003 by billionaire Wal-Mart heiress and philanthropist Nancy Walton Laurie.

According to the New York Times, the company's dancers have an "almost unheard-of" 52-week employment contract, with health insurance and holiday pay, as well as a physical therapist, a resident video artist and an in-house wardrobe department.

Dancers hail from the United States, Australia, France, Brazil, Portugal and South Korea.

Damiani, a French-born, part-Italian, New York-based 38-year-old, will celebrate her 10th year with the company in September.

As artistic director, the former ballerina is tasked with commissioning works by choreographers from around the globe.

At Auckland's shows, three pieces will be performed by choreographers from Norway, Canada and Israel.