October 30, 2013

Strong New Zealand presence at 2014 Australia Performing Arts Market (APAM)  

New Zealand will have its strongest ever presence at the Asia Pacific region’s premier market for contemporary performing arts, with a record six works selected for the 2014 programme of the Australia Performing Arts Market (APAM) in Brisbane.

With Creative New Zealand support, New Zealand artists and companies will showcase their work to Australian and international programmers, presenters and agents who are looking to promote or buy works for their venues and festivals. The New Zealand companies and delegates will be able to develop international contacts which could result in their work reaching new markets and audiences.

New Zealand will present high-quality work across theatre, dance, inter-arts, physical theatre and Māori and Pacific arts. The companies presenting are:

• Taki Rua Productions – Michael James Manaia (full length showcase)
• Rifleman Productions – Terrain (excerpt showcase)
• Kila Kokonut Krew Entertainment – The Factory (excerpt showcase)
• Jumpboard Productions – Live Live Cinema: Dementia 13 (excerpt showcase)
• Winning Productions / Stephen Bain – SOUNDIG (showcase)
• Red Leap Theatre – SEA (pitch)

 The five-day programme over 18 to 22 February will feature 37 production showcases, including full length shows and excerpts, and 15 work-in- development pitches, from Australian and New Zealand performing arts companies.

“Creative New Zealand enjoys working closely with the Australia Council for the Arts on the APAM project and we are delighted with the quality and diversity of the New Zealand work selected for 2014,” says Creative New Zealand Chief Executive Stephen Wainwright.

“This is the first time in our long-standing involvement with APAM that New Zealand has had six works selected for the programme, and the first time that a full-length showcase has been offered to us.”

Four of the selected works – Michael James Manaia, Terrain, The Factory and Live Live Cinema: Dementia 13 – are also involved in Creative New Zealand’s Touring Australia pilot scheme. High-profile Australian performing arts producer, Arts Projects Australia (APA), has been contracted to promote a suite of New Zealand works and develop tours within Australia.

Creative New Zealand is also pleased to support the following emerging performing arts producers to attend APAM as a delegate for the first time: Jamie McCaskill (Tikapa Productions), Stacey Leilua (independent), Karin Williams (independent) and Teresa Brown (independent).

Coinciding with APAM next year is WTF: A Festival of Contemporary Performance, where New Zealand will be represented by Victor Rodger’s Black Faggot. This follows the play’s recent success at the 2013 Auckland Fringe Awards, where it won four awards including ‘Best Production Theatre’ and the ‘Tiki Tour Ready Award’ – which took it to the 2013 Melbourne Fringe (where the play won two awards).

WTF is Brisbane Powerhouse’s iconic global contemporary performance event, featuring works that challenge traditional definitions of theatre. Black Faggot will give five performances at the festival over 19 to 23 February 2014. APAM delegates will also have a chance to see this work.

Held every two years APAM attracts more than 600 artists and international presenters and producers across the contemporary performing arts.  It will be presented by the Australia Council for the Arts in partnership with Brisbane Powerhouse, which will be the hub for all APAM activities and performances.

For programme info and to register as a delegate, visit www.performingartsmarket.com.au