Creative ID: 629
Whakatane
My arts or creative practice (including details about my specific focus within that art form/practice and my strengths):
I am a theatre maker based in Aotearoa, New Zealand. My areas of specialty are independent producing, programming, directing, arts marketing and advocacy, primarily (but not exclusively) focused on working and developing Māori and Pasifika work. I have a background in musical theatre, with a Bachelor of Applied Arts (Performing Arts) from Whitireia Polytechnic (2015). My areas of interest are ensemble work, devising, physical theatre, and including soundscapes/waiata/music in theatre works.
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:
Before graduating with my degree, I was working on large-scale international musical theatre works touring around Aotearoa, as well as beginning my career in contemporary Māori theatre under the mentorship of Hone Kouka and Mīria George of Tawata Productions. I have created my own solo shows and ensemble works, as well as directed and produced several works of various scale across my eight years in the industry. I have toured works to Australia (Perth and Adelaide Fringe Festivals), worked at Adelaide Fringe Festival as a senior programmer and have taken part in a a theatre residency in 2020, supporting a rangatahi artist.
In 2020, I led a new Māori theatre and dance advocacy pilot project connecting independent practitioners digitally due to COVID-19. This was funded by the Ngā Toi Māori strategy from Creative New Zealand. In March 2021, I led a development festival that focused on developing new works and ideas from rangatahi Māori and Pasifika in Wellington. This was fully funded by Creative New Zealand.
Describe the experience you have had working with children or young people, teaching or facilitating creative processes:
I have previously taught drama and singing classes with a performing arts school in Whakatāne. I run a theatre company that focuses on presenting rangatahi Māori and Pasifika works, and I run a festival that supports the development of rangatahi Māori and Pasifika theatre and dance practitioners.
Why I want to be part of the Creatives in Schools programme and how my involvement will link to my creative practice:
Since COVID-19, I have returned to Whakatāne and would like to find a way to thank the community for all their support in my creative development. A key part of that was during my time at high school through drama and music classes, as well as local productions. My drama and music teachers encouraged me to explore a performance career, and I would like to now pass on my knowledge and tautoko to tamariki of Whakatāne to create, explore, and shine through performing arts.