Creative ID: 30
Wellington City; anywhere accessible by bus from central Wellington.
My arts or creative practice (including details about my specific focus within that art form/practice and my strengths)
I am a professional playwright and theatre director, with a special focus in musical theatre. I am an Honours graduate of Victoria University of Wellington, interned at Signature Theatre, Off-Broadway, and also have writing experience in a number of forms outside of theatre including television writing, lyrics, short fiction and articles. As a theatre director, I often work on both musical and non-musical projects, which have included original productions of new New Zealand plays. I also have a particular interest in contemporary American drama. My work as a playwright has won or been shortlisted for a number of awards, and includes both musical librettos and plays.
My track record of experience and success - or the track record of experience and success of the creative or artist that I will partner with
- I won Playmarket's Playwrights B4 25 Award in 2015, and was shortlisted for the same award in 2013 and 2017.
- I have also been shortlisted for Auckland Theatre Company's The Next Stage and commended in the Playwrights' Association of New Zealand's Long Play competition in 2017.
- In 2018 I was selected for Playmarket's Playwrights' Retreat.
- I was nominated for Outstanding New Playwright and Outstanding New NZ Play at the 2015 Wellington Theatre Awards, and my theatre company was nominated for Most Promising Newcomer at the 2017 Wellington Theatre Awards.
- I have had two short plays commissioned by School Journal, and am represented by Playmarket.
- I have also served as a peer adjudicator for a number of awards, including 2018's Asian Ink competition and the 2019 Wellington Theatre Awards, indicating recognition from the wider theatre community. My theatre directorial work has received a number of strong critical notices.
Describe the experience you have had working with children or young people, teaching or facilitating creative processes
I have experience teaching adult students – in 2018 I taught a five-month Writing for Theatre course, coordinated by the Emerging Artists Trust. I have also taught one-day workshops of Writing for Musical Theatre and Audition Prep skills. I have some experience working with young people – I have been a substitute teacher for the Wellington Home Education Network drama classes, which includes teaching improv skills and rehearsing Shakespeare with a primary school age group and a high school age group. I have also been a guest teacher for the Wellington Young Actors (high-school-age students). As a performer, I have been a part of a number of productions aimed at young children. Each of these shows involved interacting with young children, responding to their creative ideas and keeping them engaged.
Why I want to be part of the Creatives in Schools programme and how my involvement will link to my creative practice
As a young person, I always knew I wanted to work in the arts and looked up to my arts teachers as role models. I was fortunate enough to attend schools that had decent arts programmes, but I know that many schools have been forced to cut specialist art, music and drama teachers for budgetary reasons – the return of a Creatives in Schools programme to specifically address this issue and allow budding young artists access to these resources is something I greatly support. I'd love the chance to help kids express themselves through writing or performing.