Val Deakin Dance Theatre Trust

16/06/2026

The Val Deakin Dance Theatre will be part of the Winterfest in a programme entitled SHE MOVES to be presented in the Theatre Royal at the TSB Showplace on Sunday, June 28th at 3 pm. It is a performance by 4 different groups exploring what it means to be female in dance. There will be several genres of dance on show including contemporary, hip hop and kapa haka. Come and enjoy!

Val Deakin Dance Theatre, Academy of Dance Taranaki, Tansi Productions and Taranaki Diocesan Kapa Haka Roopu unite for She Moves, an evocative performance exploring the evolving place of women in society.

26/04/2026

We are pleased to announce that bookings are now open for a captivating contemporary workshop led by Christchurch-based choreographer Fleur de Thier. Don't miss this opportunity to move, create, and connect. Please contact Jane on 027 694 0933.

12/03/2026

A fabulous showreel from our sold out 2025 season - don't miss it! This weekend only! Saturday 11.30am is sold out! Saturday 1.30pm and Sunday 11.30am and 1.30pm still some seats left.

A 2025 Val Deakin Dance Theatre performance of the children's book Giraffes Can't Dance.306 St Aubyn's StreetNew PlymouthTaranaki, New Zealand

25/09/2025

If you haven’t yet listened to the fantastic piano playing of Rosa Scaffidi you are in for a treat when she plays at Whitely church on October 8th, at midday.

There are a whole series of Wednesday lunch time concerts to check out and enjoy, Lunchtime Concerts @ Whiteleyeley.

The concert on October 8th will feature French music by Debussy, Satie and Poulenc and the exciting addition will be dancing to some of the pieces by members of the Val Deakin Dance Theatre. They will ‘illustrate’ the music to parts of Debussy’s Suite Bergamasque, parts of Erik Satie’s Gnossiennes and to Poulenc’s Napoli Suite. A wide range of music indeed!

Dancers Shelley Prestney, Jane Roseman, Inge Vink and Davina Moffat will be joined by the 5 and 7 year old Bliss sisters to explore the space and move to the music.

23/09/2025

After a fabulously successful season of 14 sold out houses of Giraffes Can’t Dance at the Dance Centre in August, the Val Deakin Dance Theatre is in the process of planning a repeat season for March 28 next year – watch this space! So many people came and enjoyed watching the show as well as joining in – many school groups, groups from rest homes and lots of families.

Follow the link below to see a trailer for this entertaining and colourful show.

A 2025 Val Deakin Dance Theatre performance of the children's book Giraffes Can't Dance.306 St Aubyn's StreetNew PlymouthTaranaki, New Zealand

04/08/2025

We are so lucky to have Janet, Laura and Jesse, three generations of the same family, performing for the first time together! To see them, and the rest of the talented cast bring the beloved story of Giraffes Can’t Dance to life, book here:

https://forms.gle/aJUDkcid93Lv5RkVA

https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360777866/giraffes-cant-dance-nana-can

Three generations of one family are performing together for the first time in a theatre dance production about a giraffe who wants to dance.

01/08/2025

Grab the kids and head to Centre City NP for a reading of Girrafes Can’t Dance by the shows talented narrator Mervin Chivers. You’ll find him upstairs at the display, Saturday 2nd August 1pm and Sunday 3rd August 10.30am.

A great opportunity to hear this wonderful story! The show runs over two weekends from next weekend. You can book your tickets at:

https://forms.gle/aJUDkcid93Lv5RkVA

01/08/2025

Have you spotted the wonderful giraffe art around New Plymouth? Check out Toi Foundation ARTspace at Access radio Taranaki and Centre City - thanks to all the children who provided their art work inspired by the book Giraffes Can’t Dance. And a big shout out to students from Christian Adventist School!

Performances of Giraffes Can’t Dance begin this time next week and run over 2 weekends, book online at:
https://forms.gle/aJUDkcid93Lv5RkVA

07/07/2025

Don’t miss this joyful and inspiring production of Giraffes Can’t Dance filled with colour, music, narration and movement that will delight audiences of all ages. Running August 8th-17th.

Bookings can be made online at:

https://forms.gle/aJUDkcid93Lv5RkVA

By phone 06 7580991 or email to [email protected]

Event Date: August 8th-17th, 2025 Venue: Val Deakin Dance Theatre, 306 St Aubyn St. New Plymouth Contact: 027 694 0933 Jane or email [email protected] Presented by Val Deakin Dance Theatre

26/05/2025

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Val Deakin on 23.05.2025. A memorial service will be held at Val Deakin Dance Centre this Saturday, 31st May, from 10am to celebrate her extraordinary life and legacy in dance and the community.