Alys Hill (Webster)
Profile
Alys Hill is a highly skilled and experienced teaching artist who specializes in ensemble and physical theatre. She holds a Bachelor of Education, with a focus on performing arts, and has extensive experience as both a tutor and performer. For over a decade, Alys was a member of the Jolt dance company in Christchurch, and has trained extensively with Zen Zen Zo physical theatre company since 2008. Alys has continued to perform professionally while running performing arts departments in New Zealand high schools in both drama and dance. In 2019, she had the opportunity to perform and study with Butoh company Dairakudakan in Hakuba, Japan.
In addition to her performance experience, Alys is a skilled teacher and workshop facilitator. She has studied with the SITI company and specializes in teaching The Suzuki Method of Actor Training, Viewpoints, Composition, and Butoh. She has also trained in a wide range of movement techniques, including Lecoq, Frantic Assembly method, and various dance styles such as contemporary, somatic, swing, pole, silks, and open.
Alys has held the position of Associate Director of Zen Zen Zo Australia from 2018-2021 and has delivered and co-taught workshops internationally in Australia, Singapore, Japan, Amsterdam, England, and Bulgaria. She has also delivered workshops around New Zealand for theatre companies, high schools, and regions. In 2018-2021, Alys established the New Zealand arm of the company Zen Zen Zo NZ in Ōtautahi. During this time she was a part-time tutor for National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Arts, an Adult tutor for acting at The Court Theatre alongside teaching dance. She has delivered ongoing physical theatre training for artists in Christchurch, devised and directed TOAST for the Made in Canterbury Festival, performed and directed in a site specific cyclical rendition of Euridice and Orpheus, and directed an installation at Tūranga, Labyrinth with Harakeke weaver, Robyn Webster.
Alys is the current Director and Founder of Liminal physical theatre company in Ōtautahi, offering ongoing weekly training, workshops as well as teaching dance.