The Butterfly Who Flew Into The Rave

Oli Mathiesen (Ngāti Manu, Ngāti Hine, Ngāpuhi)
Creator, Choreographer, and Performer
Oli Mathiesen is an indigenous choreographer and dancer based in Aotearoa (New Zealand), hailing from the tribes of Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Manu, Ngāpuhi. He is an emerging artist, working nationally and internationally with some of Aotearoa and Australia’s leading companies, including The New Zealand Dance Company, Atamira Dance Company, Black Grace, The Farm, as well as performing Canadian choreographer Crystal Pite’s 10 Duets on a Theme of Rescue (2023). He is an accomplished performer and choreographer whose artistry traverses the dynamic intersections of dance, physical theatre, and film, all through the captivating lens of contemporary dance. His work is characterized by an unwavering commitment to discipline and a relentless pursuit of excellence, drawing inspiration from his diverse communities. This unique perspective, shaped by his multi-faceted identity, forms the essence of his artistry. He has choreographed works for Atamira Dance Company, Black Grace, Tempo Dance Festival, The Performance Arcade, and the award-winning show The Butterfly Who Flew Into The Rave, which has toured nationally around New Zealand and internationally to Australia and Scotland.

Lucy Lynch (Ngāti Kahungunu)
Choreographer and Performer
Lucy completed her dance training at UNITEC, graduating in 2011 with a Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts, majoring in Contemporary Dance. Immediately after graduation, Lucy was offered the role of Professional Dancer with the newly launched New Zealand Dance Company, becoming a founding member and performing for the company for the following eight years. Lucy danced in the majority of the company's major seasons throughout Aotearoa and toured across the globe to some of the world's most prestigious dance festivals. Lucy works closely with New Zealand choreographer, Mary Jane O'Reilly, and is a performer in her internationally recognised show, In Flagrante, and was a performer in her recent ballet, Ballet Noir. She has also danced for Black Grace Dance Company, World of Wearable Arts, WOMAD, Splore, Tempo Dance Festival, Auckland Cabaret Festival, and The New Zealand Body Art Awards.

Sharvon Mortimer (Ngāti Porou)
Choreographer and Performer
Born and raised in Rotorua, Sharvon (she/her) is a Tāmaki Makaurau-based dance artist. She graduated in 2020 as a senior scholar with a Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts - Contemporary Dance from Unitec. Sharvon, Oli Mathiesen, and Bohao Feng received the Judge’s Choice Award (FOSSE) in 2019’s Short+Sweet Dance Festival. Since graduating, she has had the pleasure of collaborating with Miriam Eskildsen, Jacob Reynolds, Jawline Dance Co, Footnote New Zealand Dance, Jessie McCall, Oli Mathiesen, and The New Zealand Dance Company. In 2021 and 2022, she was part of NDN’s Tūrama Choreographic Intensive. Sharvon presented new work with Oli Mathiesen (Night and Mortar) as part of NZ Fringe 2021 and a Tāmaki Makaurau tour in 2022. Sharvon finds joy in being able to exchange movement with other humans and witness others doing so. Engaging with creating, inhabiting, and observing worlds that are specific, nuanced, and challenging.

Shanell Bielawa (Te Ātihaunui-a-Pāpārangi)
Lead Lighting Designer, Production Manager and Technical Operator
Shanell is an artist and lighting designer determined to prove her dad wrong by pursuing a career in the arts. Her interest in lighting emerged during her studies in photography and arts technology/management. Since then, she has worked across various mediums, from theatre to exhibition design. Her theatre experience spans plays, musicals, contemporary dance, and orchestral concerts, while her lighting work in exhibitions and visitor experiences has broadened her creative approach and has given her a unique ability to blend technical expertise with artistic vision. When she's not behind a lighting console, you'll find Shanell sketching or reading with a cup of tea, re-watching her favorite movies, or out in nature chasing sunsets and inspiration for her next project. Her dedication to creative expression, experience and exploration, is evident in

Gina Heidekruger 
Producer and Stage Manager
Gina is a graduate of Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama school and holds a Bachelor's degree in Performing Arts Management. Since graduating, Gina has had the pleasure of collaborating with Oli Mathiesen Company, Nightsong, Movement of the Human, Footnote New Zealand Dance and The Royal New Zealand Ballet, in roles varying from Producer to Stage Manager. Gina's passion for the arts comes from her collaborators that keep it alive, the worlds that are created, and the connection art brings on and off stage.