New Met dance specializes in teaching the performance craft of dance to novices and those with experience. Our unique teaching style enthusiastically involves all participants in the fun and expression of dance. Ballet, contemporary, funk and Hip-Hop are all taught in a non-threatening environment. We also focus on the career path of the professional theatre industry and teach young people about the multitude of career types that are available.

Expression through movement forms the basis of all communication. We engage people to jump in and challenge themselves to be the best they can be in an art form they may not have ever given any thought to.

New Met Dance has the highest reputation for making dance fun, challenging and safe. We teach young people that performing as a troupe on projects that truly represent who they are, levels the social bias of body image, and fosters teamwork and co-ordination skills.

Download 2009 Class Timetable (PDF, 450Kb)

New Met has been introducing people young and old to dance for over 35 years. Originally founded as the Newcastle Metropolitan Ballet in NSW, New Met relocated to South Australia in the early eighties. We have performed to well over one million children in that time across the country and across the world.

Our work also focuses on children’s literature with many adaptations of classic children’s novels over the years including…

• Matilda The Brave
• Revolting Rhymes
• Alice (in wonderland)
• Beasts
• Through the Looking Glass
• Boy
• Witches
• Peter Pan
• Cinderella
• Snow White
• Pineapple Poll
• And Many More….

Nikki Allen

has studied at the Centre for the Performing Arts, graduating in 1999 and in New York at Alvin Ailey Studios and Broadway Studios. She has been is the second generation of her family to run New Met and is an accomplished actor, director and choreographer.

Michael Allen

Since graduating from the Centre for the Performing Arts in 1994 Michael has carved a career as an award winning actor, director and producer of theatre with a reputation for developing dynamic new Australian theatre. He is an established TV and film actor with credits including ‘Opal Dream’, ‘McLeods Daughters’ and ‘The Marriage of Figaro’. Michael is currently completing a Bachelor of Media/Arts at Adelaide University specializing in the anthropology of theatre.

Kelly Moritz

graduated from Adelaide Institute of Arts on 2003 with a BA (dance performance). She has worked with Buzz Dance Theatre in WA, Stompin Youth Dance in Tasmania and Restless Dance here in SA. She is a member of Move Through Life Dance Company and has been an integral member of the New Met team since 2004.

Why Me?

Why Me? Is the story of Jamie, a 12-year-old boy who is constantly bullied by one of the smartest kids in his class. This is a unique in-schools performance, where combined year levels create a united atmosphere as senior students mentor younger students throughout this interactive show. Ballet, Contemporary, Break, Funk and Hip Hop dance are seamlessly interwoven into a moving script.

Metro In School Touring Dates (various times) May 18 - 22, 25 – 29
Duration: 90 mins – includes workshop, performance & post show forum
Cost: $600 per show, minimum audience 120: $5 per student thereafter
Download Teacher's Support Pack (PDF, 1.1Mb)
Visit the comeout website here.

History of the show

WHY ME? Has been developed over 5 years as a response from teachers for a story that tackled the bullying issue. Originally titled BEASTS and loosely based on a story by Margaret Wild, this story has changed the lives of countless children and school communities across South Australia and Victoria.

The show itself is highly interactive, giving children the perspective of both bully and victim alike. This is not a show that attempts to preach any all-encompassing solution to bullying. However, it is a show that is designed to show the perspective of the ‘other’. To show the impact of bullying on the victim but also to see what motivates a bully and why they might behave in ways that they don’t even understand themselves.

The comprehensive teachers pack has been devised with input from the Women’ and Children’s hospital as well as other government bullying policies. It is designed to stimulate discussion and expression of thoughts and feelings around the subject.

Why Me? Is a show that is designed to shine some light on a subject that is an endemic social disorder and is all too often ignored or even justified. It is an inspiring and moving story that will change your student’s lives.

In schools, traveling to you.

The in-schools production of WHY ME? is a unique 90 minute dance theatre experience comprising:

30 min workshop.

A workshop involving casting and rehearsing members of the audience into the performance.

50 min performance.

The performance in which members of the audience perform roles in the show.

10 min discussion.

A post-show discussion to talk about issues in the show and any other performing questions.

We encourage a mixture of year levels in every audience as it breaks down barriers between ages levels and encourages teamwork and collaboration between students who might not normally have contact with each other. This approach is key to creating a unified experience in a school community.

New Met Dance

Phone & fax 08 8370 0234
Email info@newmetdance.com
PO BOX 451 Blackwood South Australia 5051