Say hello to Nina! Nina is going to be covering Lesa’s role while she’s away on maternity leave 🐣.
Nina is one half of the iconic Wellington sketch duo, Ginge & Minge (guess which one she is). She’s also one of the founding members of Pōneke’s best-dressed imrov comedy company, Poprox.

She’s booked and busy and we’re so stoked she’s joining the team!

My name is Nina Hogg but my friends call me Nina, I guess you could say we’re on a first names basis!

Coordination level: Person with their hands already full offering to hold your shopping bags

I’m happiest when I have Christmas lunch leftovers, pavlova and trifle that “I have to finish”.

My favourite “guilty” pleasure song is Hung Up by Madonna because sampling ABBA is the cheat code to a great dance song, but I don’t care. It’s a perpetual banger.

Something that I continually ask myself is ‘How cool is this?’

Why do you think dance is important?
The day that I mastered a two-step and no longer cared what I looked like to other people, felt revolutionary. Dance is so much fun when you aren’t so busy judging yourself!

And how does it show up in the other areas of your life?

I do comedy dance routines with my comedy duo partner Megan, I dance at home to my friend Ralph’s DJ mixes, I’m the first person on a dance floor and the last to leave! I’ve also done a bit of stage fighting choreography which amongst a bunch of skills, has involved me trying to speedily learn how to tango!

Something that has changed since my first Shut Up & Dance class is how much more in awe of the instructors at SU&D I am! I don’t think I had appreciated just how incredible it is to have the same level of energy, commitment, enthusiasm and warmth no matter what time of day, or where the class is, or if they’ve already taught it 3x this week. Super stars, all of them!

The Shut Up & Dance routine that best describes me is ‘Juice’ by Lizzo because it’s just high energy fun, plus I’m a sucker for a good crump and a body roll!

My life motto is “be more JLo.”

The most important thing life has taught me so far is a laugh is all you need to feel better!

To pay the bills I tour manage and produce theatre for young people!

If money was no object I am building and stocking my own wine cellar.

My most dorky moment this week was really confidently calling a guy ‘Cark’ because I misheard his name, started introducing him to other people by that as well!

I wanted to be a teacher when I grew up.

The world would be a better place with free childcare.

The routine I want to learn the most is RAYE’s ‘WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!’ gosh I played that non stop for two months when it came out.

If I were a cake I would be Hummingbird, a lot going on but it all works together!

We’re so excited for Nina to bring her warmth, wit and smarts to the SU&D Squad. If you see her around in class, say hi!

SHUT UP & LISTEN: NINA