MIT’s Award Winning Cat Ruka Features At The Fringe Festival

25 February 2013

MIT’s Award Winning Cat Ruka Features At The Fringe Festival

The way we relate to each other in a disconnected society is the theme of Awkward Altars, a dance performance at this year’s Fringe Festival.

Featuring an eclectic mix of dancers and styles, Awkward Altars is directed, produced and choreographed by Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) Principal Dance Lecturer Cat Ruka.

“I have deliberately brought together an unlikely ensemble of local artists who offer a multi-generational, inter-cultural and diverse spectrum of life experience,” says Cat.

The youngest dancer is 19 years-old, the oldest is in her 60s. Each brings a unique perspective and interpretation of how relationships work in our increasingly virtual society.

“In this performance we take genuine risks with each other and aren’t afraid to cultivate our social differences.”

Cat says many of her MIT students come from cultures rich in dance and performance, and she has incorporated this into Awkward Altars, with two “talented and experimental” students taking part.

Awkward Altars is the first large group work for Cat, who is an acclaimed and award-winning choreographer known for her politically charged performances.

Her most radical work New Treaty Militia, an improvised duet that examines the Maori/Pakeha binary, toured internationally last year with a final performance at Te Papa National Museum on Waitangi Day.

Awkward Altars runs from 1 to 3 March at The Basement Theatre, Lower Greys Avenue, Auckland CBD. The show starts at 5.30pm. For tickets go to iTicket or phone 361 1000.

PHOTOS BY AMY KING

ENDS

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