Learning to shape up and dance with Black Grace

A collaboration between Black Grace dancers and a community arts programme led to the creation of Urban Youth Movement. FIONA HAWTIN talks to some of its members.

Urban Youth Movement have two rules. Break the one about being late to dance rehearsal and there's a punishment of 25 press-ups for every five minutes.

Richard Cezan's record 25 minutes late is an Urban Youth Movement legend, say members Lorissa Edwards and Inge Rademeyer. That's 125 press-ups.

"He couldn't move his arms for the rest of the day," they say as they prepare to rehearse their self-titled dance involving contemporary and street dance with body percussion, live singing and DJ-mixing. They laugh and mention boot camp.

Artistic director Neil Ieremia wants the company of eight teenagers, with three Black Grace dancers on stage in a mentoring role, to pick up more than just a few dance moves. He hopes they also learn about discipline, taking responsibility, and good work ethics.

The company is modelled on the "Fresh" collaboration between the Black Grace Dance Company and The Edge Community Arts Programme. This involved Black Grace taking a dance programme to students at Mt Roskill Grammar School, Hillary College and Howick College in 1999. Some of the students were so keen, Ieremia provided a monthly workshop.

Last year auditions were held to set up a youth dance company to train and dance with Black Grace members at the Youth Arts Festival last August. This is a repeat performance of that work.

Before the choreography was developed, issues affecting youth were discussed that would be the basis for the work - things such as boy racers, alcohol, drugs and suicide.

"Young people just want grown-ups to be honest and not patronising," he says.

Ieremia wanted to give them an experience rather than dictate to them. He gave them movement phrases to take away and deconstruct. The collaborative result is all-out energy.

"I learned a hell of a lot from these young people - their honesty, energy, innocence and commitment. The way they attacked the thing was astounding.

"The thing I wanted to bring to the fore was the youth and the energy it takes to get up to go to school and run around the paddock all day.

"They have certainly reminded me why I do what I do. As you get older in the arts, you get jaded just because of the way the industry is. You lose track of your first love. This reminds you about your passion for your art form.

"Things that we take for granted, I suppose, as professional adults, they are hugely astounded by. It's good for my soul to feel I'm contributing something."

The admiration is mutual.

Lorissa Edwards, a trombone-playing 17-year-old seventh-former at St Cuthbert's College, has been doing ballet since she was 5. She also does jazz ballet. The best thing about UYM is being able to do contemporary dance in a professional environment.

"To dance with the Black Grace members under the guidance of Neil is awesome. He's so wise. He wants to pass it all on to you," she says.

"He knows so much about the whole industry," says Inge Rademeyer, an 18-year-old, second-year University of Auckland performing arts student.

Even those press-ups are for a reason.

"We're trying to get really fit. We're on stage for an hour without a stop. Basically it's like going on a treadmill, putting it on the fastest setting possible and trying to keep up with it."

Rademeyer has done gymnastics, studied ballet and all manner of dance styles since she was young and, like Edwards, wants to dance throughout her life.

"It's such an adventurous thing. Some people jump off a bridge with a cord, whereas with us a turn is such an amazing thing because you use what you've got. You don't use external things and being able to do things like putting your leg up over your head is cool."

Eddie Goddard started dancing as a 16-year-old when Black Grace came to his school two years ago.

He loved it but was told early on he had no timing. So he focused. Ieremia also taught him a valuable lesson.

"Don't give up," he says.

Rademeyer has learned the importance of working as a team, which relates to the second rule of UYM. "There is no baggage," says Rademeyer. "Keep the air clean. If you have a problem with someone you go to them and you say it."

"But the main thing is just to have fun," says Edwards.

They can continue to do so with the company until they turn 22.

The age requirements for UYM are anywhere between 15 and 21.

"Then they're out on the street," says Ieremia. "Hopefully by that time they will have gone and launched their rockets."

* Urban Youth Movement perform at the Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall, from Friday, June 8, to Saturday, June 16.