Our mission:
Presenting Fun, exhilarating circus theatre that is intimate, visually stunning and brave in its frankness about human nature.
The Dust Palace is New Zealand's pre-eminent circus theatre company.
Eve Gordon and Mike Edward
Eve and Mike the creators and co-directors of The Dust Palace.
Both trained as actors at UNITEC roughly 15 years ago and were there introduced to physical theatre by tutor Beth Kayes.
Their backgrounds in story telling have dictated where The Dust Palace has been driving circus as an art form.
Established in 2009, we aim to:
Foster circus arts, physical performance practitioners in Auckland and Aotearoa New Zealand.
Create tour-able circus theatre - taking Aotearoa’s stories to the world
We value quality, audacity and humanity. Connecting communities, sharing skills, challenging, engaging and delighting audiences through narrative works in a genre bending blend of circus and physical theatre.
The Dust Palace has been pushing circusarts in NZ and circus theatre as a genre since the company was established in 2009. From our early cabaret-style works we have been introducing our audiences to a more sophisticated, genre-bending blend of circus and physical theatre; challenging and engaging diverse audiences as well as providing mind-blowing entertainment.
Our most recent works include: ‘The WonderWombs’ which toured in Australia, Canada, the Nelson & Wairarapa areas; ‘Dawn’ & ‘Midnight’ as part of a collaboration series of works with The APO; ‘Human’ which played stadia in both Palmerston North & Invercargill; & ‘The Goblin Market’ which has toured Canada & NZ.
The Dust Palace Charitable Trust
Support the future of circus in Tāmaki Makaurau
The Dust Palace Charitable Trust was set up to further support and develop the circus sector in Aotearoa. The purpose being to provide assistance and funding to grow circus as an art form and to enable its public appreciation.
The trust has existed for years, providing scholarships, subsidising shows and providing rehearsal space to professional artists at discounted rates. Occasionally the Charitable Trust has received funding but for the most part this work has been funded by the corporate arm of our company, the Dust Palace Productions. For a long time we’ve been our own main patron.
“2020 has seen Covid wipe out all of our corporate income and, in doing so, exposed the vulnerability of our school and building.”
So, we’ve taken the time to properly restructure the way we are doing things in order to create a sustainable home for circus in Auckland which can be resilient in changing times. Everything is now under the gentle wing of the Charity.
In order to make the Charity robust we would like to build a pool of donors who are happy to pledge a small amount monthly; about $20-$30 per month, (the equivalent of a fancy coffee per week!). We think that asking for contributions from those who have the means is better than raising prices for all. Many people makes for lighter lifting.
These donors will become the “Pals of the Palace”.
TDPCT CHARITIES NUMBER: CC50820
On the Pal’s generosity we can operate the Charity in a sustainable fashion and keep the Dust Palace School and building open in perpetuity. To build the Pals we need everyone's help. If you’re able please consider emailing chairperson of the Trust Mikey Edward: mikey@thedustpalace.co.nz
Our specific goals are:
• 14 scholarship students will get free circus for a year;
• All venue hire to other arts companies will be subsidised heavily (or will become entirely free);
• Upskilling will be available for all in the form of the trust funding visits from international trainers;
• Improved health and safety as gear will be more readily able to be upgraded and replaced;
• The long term sustainability of the Dust Palace School will be possible through paid full-time positions.
THE DUST PALACE CHARITABLE TRUSTS PURPOSES:
Ensure te Tiriti o Waitangi is upheld in all actions and relationships
Be an exemplary organisation within the circus sector in leadership, process and embodiment of cultural practice, protocol and safety.
Empower indigenous people and people of all ethnic and cultural backgrounds within Tāmaki Makaurau to become a substantial presence in the future of circus.
Developing access, inclusion and pathways for indigenous people and people of all ethnic and cultural backgrounds of Tāmaki Makaurau within circus.
Develop and advocate for an intersectional approach to all aspects of circus culture in Tāmaki Makaurau.
Up-skilling Circus Practitioners in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland
Making circus in Tāmaki Makaurau of an international standard that can be toured nationally and internationally
Supporting Circus Theatre
Raising money for circus theatre productions
Supporting persons working in this field
Supporting Circus Facilities and Learning in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland
Raising funds for circus training at both professional and community levels
- Running and maintaining the highest quality facilities and learning for circus in Tāmaki Makaurau