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Stories

Designing Sets and Lighting for Ballet: In conversation with Jon Buswell

In preparation for the world premiere of Alice Topp's explosive new adaptation of Macbeth, we spoke to award-winning designer Jon Buswell about his introduction to set and lighting design, how he begins the process of designing for ballet, and his approach to this bold new production.

1/3500th of a Second: Photographing Campaigns for the Royal New Zealand Ballet

For over 25 years, photographer Ross Brown has been capturing the essence of the Royal New Zealand Ballet, one story at a time. From windswept beaches to precisely lit studios, his images have defined the look and feel of our most iconic campaigns. Known for his polished aesthetic, intuitive timing and deep respect, Ross has an eye not only for movement, but for emotion, energy and story. We spoke with Ross to reflect on his creative relationship with the RNZB, the thrill of capturing the perfect shot, and the magic that can happen in 1/3500th of a second.

Ballet Behind Bars: Bringing dance to prisons in Aotearoa

Since 2017, the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s Education team have been visiting prisons across the motu to bring ballet to incarcerated people. Our Education and Community Manager, Lauren Byrne has been teaching at these workshops since 2020, so we sat down to chat to her about the programme, what the classes look like, and how ballet can have an impact in perhaps the most unexpected of places.

Behind the Score: Shayne P Carter Talks Home, Land and Sea

When it comes to music that hits you in the gut, Shayne Carter is a master. Known for his fierce originality and fearless approach to genre, the award-winning composer and musician has carved out a singular voice in New Zealand’s sonic landscape. Now, he brings that voice to the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s new season of Home, Land and Sea - a powerful exploration of place, identity, and connection. We caught up with Shayne to talk about writing for dance, evoking landscapes through sound, and his lifelong quest to embrace the contradictions of the human experience.

Dancing the 'Dream'

Liam Scarlett's A Midsummer Night's Dream has become a jewel of the RNZB's repertoire.

Behind the Baton: A Conversation with Conductor Hamish McKeich

As the Royal New Zealand Ballet prepares to bring The Nutcracker to stages across Aotearoa this festive season, we caught up with celebrated conductor Hamish McKeich to talk about his journey into music, the magic of Tchaikovsky’s score, and the unique collaboration between orchestra and dance. From his early days as a young bassoonist to his passion for shaping the sound world of ballet, Hamish shares insights into what makes this timeless work so special - and what audiences can look forward to when the lights go down, and the first notes of The Nutcracker fill the theatre.

Stronger Together: Our new partnership with Pacific Radiology

Behind every performance at the Royal New Zealand Ballet is a team dedicated to supporting the strength, artistry and wellbeing of our dancers. From the rehearsal studio to the spotlight, keeping our team healthy is essential to the magic you see when the curtain rises.

Through the Lens: A Career Photographing the Royal New Zealand Ballet

For nearly three decades, photographer Stephen A’Court has stood quietly in the stalls, capturing the magic of ballet in still frames. His images, intimate, dynamic, and astonishingly expressive, have become part of the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s visual history. In this conversation, Stephen reflects on his beginnings in dance photography, the challenges of the artform, and the singular joy of documenting the dancers in motion.

Coppélia: A Beloved Ballet Classic

The Wedding Pas de Deux in Coppélia’s Act III is a joyous highlight that celebrates the union of Swanhilda and Franz with lively grace and romantic elegance. This pas de deux, featured in our Tutus on Tour 2025 repertoire, is a celebratory dance, combining tenderness with virtuosic displays as both characters express their newfound happiness.

The Capital Kiwi Project | transporting our national bird

What does the Royal New Zealand Ballet, Cactus Outdoor, young Wellington architects, Maungatautari mud, a fashion stylist and Mākara scrub have in common? Capital Kiwi's kiwi transporter bags.

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