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The stars of tomorrow now have somewhere to shine with the opening of the National Dance and Drama Centre. Mike Houlahan reports.
TOMORROW at 2pm, classes begin at Te Whaea, the new $5.2 million National Dance and Drama Centre, and new home of Toi Whakaari and the New Zealand School of Dance. Te Whaea (mother) boasts facilities including nine big purpose-built studios, four smaller studios, a 200-seat theatre, a library, and areas for set design and construction, sound, lighting and costume.
School of Dance director Garry Trinder is rapt to be moving to premises where the plaster isn't falling off the walls. There used to be a pole in the middle of his school's main rehearsal room in Cable St. Now all the students can rehearse together in the school's main studio at the Show Buildings in Mount Cook.
The two schools have been inadequately housed for years. The dream of bringing them together in their own purpose-built facilities was hatched years ago, but it has taken many years and much heartache for it to happen.
In years gone by the schools - in the early years...