2026 Programme
Photo: Andrew Turner
As we look ahead to 2026, Footnote continues its commitment to presenting bold, original work that uplifts multiple voices and resonates deeply with our audiences.
We are proud to present a program that embodies our dedication to connection, collaboration, and innovation. From newly commissioned works to the return of a celebrated large scale production, our 2026 season reflects a belief in dance to ignite meaningful conversations.
At Footnote, we want our audiences to feel, our communities to thrive, and our artists to flourish. This season is a celebration of these values, a testament to the enduring power of dance and the transformative role it plays on and off the stage.
It’s a big season built for curiosity, connection, and the simple joy of making art with and for Aotearoa.
We can’t wait to share it with you.
-Anita Hunziker, Artistic Director
Choreolab 2026
5th - 16th January 2026
Te Whaea National Dance & Drama Centre
Newtown, Wellington
Returning for its 23rd year, Footnote’s yearly summer professional development series Choreolab is a staple in the Aotearoa dance calendar. Movement artists from across the country and beyond come together for two weeks in the capital to deepen their movement practice and connect as a community.
Photo: Andrew Turner
Modern God return season & tour
The critically acclaimed Modern God by Jeremy Beck returns to Wellington for a two week season at Circa Theatre, before heading out on tour.
Six influencers collide in a high-energy dance-theatre work exploring fame, consumerism, and our digital obsessions.
Stunts will be attempted. Records broken. Memes made. Content consumed. Advertising sold. Lives ruined. Heroes formed. This high-powered show, straddling the realms of contemporary dance and physical theatre, delves into the intricate web of global internet culture. It's a unique opportunity to dissect our interactions with the online world, from its absurdity and speed to its utility and potential dangers.
"breathtaking tour de force of artistry” -The Post
“MODERN GOD is immediate. It’s urgent and overwhelming. Bloody. Its concerns are with the now; the intersections between social media, capitalism, and us.” - Jack McGee, Art Murmurs
2026 Modern God Tour
Te Whanganui-a-tara Wellington
Circa Theatre
14 - 23 May
Heretaunga Hastings
Toitoi Opera House
3 - 4 June
Kerikeri
Turner Centre
11 - 12 June
2026 Pōneke Festival of Contemporary Dance
The Pōneke Festival of Contemporary Dance returns for it’s third year, welcoming The Hannah Playhouse and Toi Pōneke as new festival partners, supported by Wellington City Council. Running across the first week of July, the festival offers performance seasons, choreographic residencies, workshops and more.
Applications for performance seasons and residencies opens on 1st December 2025
Photo: Jinki Cambronero
New full length work by Jessie McCall
Footnote are thrilled to announce the creation of a new full length dance work by choreographer Jessie McCall. This work will premiere in Wellington in September 2026 and tour to Auckland and Christchurch.
Jessie McCall is a queer performance maker based in Tāmaki Makaurau. Her work harnesses visual design, sound, object, and distinct movement vocabularies to build darkly humorous worlds that are slippery, disruptive, and human. Jessie has an extensive independent choreographic practice, alongside work with Touch Compass, Footnote New Zealand Dance, Auckland Arts Festival, SPLORE Festival, Auckland Pride Festival, and Performance Space Sydney. She is the co-founder of the choreographic & performance collaboration SOFT. co, with Rose Philpott.
Jessie’s practice seeks the disruptions of the queer lens as a generative ‘glitch’ in our collective ways of being, and embraces low-culture as a vehicle of the transcendent.
Community Outreach & Education
In 2026 we are delighted to be delivering a high-quality, relevant community outreach programme. We will be working with groups across Aotearoa who are passionate about contemporary dance.
Our community outreach programme includes:
Delivering a masterclass program that creates a deeper understanding of both the production itself and the artists who bring it to life.
Providing inspiring workshops that align with NCEA Dance curriculum requirements.
Having available three educational resources including two for NCEA dance levels 1-3 that dive deeply into choreographic works.
Programming schools' matinee performances and hosting Q&As alongside performances.
Providing relaxed performances where possible.
Professional Development
We provide unrivalled professional development programmes to freelance dancers in Aotearoa, and do it on a regular basis. We are also proud to advocate for dancers and love to assist in connecting and drawing our community closer together.
We believe that supporting our dancers in Aotearoa to grow as independent artists will increase the strength of the sector.
Professional development opportunities offered by Footnote in 2026 include:
Choreolab, a two-week workshop held in Wellington this January.
Pōneke Festival of Contemporary Dance residencies.
Dedicated Professional Development time in the calendar for the Footnote company dancers, including time for individual dancer-led practice, with the potential for this to have an international component.
Secondments for final year tertiary dance students. These provide an opportunity to gain an understanding of how a professional company operates.