MAMMOTH

Mammoth is a new movement work by Tallulah Holly-Massey. Four bodies. Mammals/humans/organisms. A supernatural hair dance.

I am a choreographer and performance artist and I have been given the Basement Theatre's prestigious Artist in Residence position for 2018 - previously awarded to Last Tapes Theatre Company (2016) and FAFSWAG (2017).

This position gives me the opportunity to explore my interests and push boundaries as an artist in a fully supportive environment.

My first work for the year 'Tender is the Night', was a part of the Summer season. It was highly successful artistically and had audiences raving about the work: "beautifully chaotic, brutally articulate, the most enjoyable indictment of our species I've ever experienced" - Jess Quaid

'Mammoth' is my second work for the residency - an investigation into hair as a signifier of social, cultural, and sexual identity, performed by four irreverent young dancers/actors. The inspiration for the movement is drawn entirely from internet tropes and videos of mammals socializing. The cast is made up of two dancers, two actors and a live musician.

I strongly believe that artists should be paid for their work in more than just 'experience'. For this reason, I am running a campaign to pay four performers,  musician and lighting designer for the five-night season in July. 

Bio - Tallulah Holly-Massey

Tallulah is a Unitec graduate and works as a freelance dancer, performer and choreographer. She has danced for and collaborated with many New Zealand choreographers, including Ann Dewey, Alexa Wilson, Kelly Nash, Claire O'Neil, Zahra Killeen-Chance, Joshua Rutter and Kristian Larsen.

Tallulah spent much of last year collaborating with artist and filmmaker Vincent Ward, and recently returned from a performance art laboratory in Arizona with Mexico/San Francisco based company La Pocha Nostra.