JULY

NEW ZEALAND

La Morte Finta (Romeo and Juliet meets Commedia dell’Arte) (Year-3 Acting)
Directed by Lisa Brickell
Many say that the idea for Romeo and Juliet came from the traditional Commedia dell’Arte play La Morta Finta. The plot is almost identical and all the characters in Romeo and Juliet are traditional Commedia characters.

Never seen before on a New Zealand stage, this bold, robust, Elizabethan drama will utilise the skills of the Year-3 students in an 80-minute production.

Dance – Solos/Videodance (Year-2)
A performance programme of original solos devised under supervision, including one-minute videodance items produced with Year-3 Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts (Screen Arts) students.

"Drama @ the Auckland Art Gallery” – Workshops
Unitec - Acting bring you two exciting initiatives with the Auckland Art Gallery in 2005.

In the last week of the July school holidays, Year-2 students will provide a series of drama workshops for children based around exhibitions in the gallery.

Book at the Auckland Art Gallery. Please phone Stacey Williams on (09) 3736345. (note to Season Ticket holders: events at the Auckland Art Gallery are not included)

Workshops also in September

samoa

'Pasifika Storytelling'workshop July 2005 NUS.

Polynesia has commonly been cast as a playground for the Western world, images of the Pacific as 'paradise' beckon from the tourist stands and stereotypes of Polynesian people continue to be dusky maidens, swaying palm trees and the tribal tattooed men.

Our history of representation by the Western world has made way for our stories to be told in popular culture. Pacific people around the world are using multi media/ television/film and performance to explore new ways of expressing our issues and identities.

This workshop brings together Pacific performing arts and multi media artists from NZ to take a week-long workshop on telling Pacific stories in these mediums.

Featuring:

• Writer/Actor Mario Gaoa (Bro' Town/ Naked Samoans/Sione's Wedding),
• Choreographer Siaosi Mulipola fresh off the set of Peter Jackson's King Kong movie,
• Actor/ Writer Erolia Ifopo ('Native Chef'/'Dawn Raids')
• Set designer Sean Coyle ('Frangipani Perfume', 'Songmakers Chair')
• Video Curator Lisa Taouma (Island Divas/ 'Measina Samoa' film).

Pasifika Storytelling will end in a performance of the work made on the final night.

Performing at Le Papa i Galagala

• Are you a drama queen?
• Do your dance moves draw a crowd?
• Is life to you just one big play with everyone playing a role?

If so, the first-ever ‘Pasifika Storytelling’ workshop could be just what you’re looking for.

To be run at the National University of Samoa from Monday July 11 – 15, the workshop will give participants the chance to interact with a group of New Zealand’s youngest and brightest talents in their respective performing arts fields.

And, with a performance scheduled for Friday evening at the Le Papa i Galagala fale, the group will get the chance to put into practice the skills they have learned over the week, according to co-organiser Lisa Taouma.

Taouma, a presenter on NZ TV’s ‘Tagata Pasifika’ says that in the past, Polynesia has been largely portrayed by the Western world through stereotypical images.

“Pacific people around the world are now using multimedia television, film and performance to explore new ways of expressing our issues and identities,” she said.

And it’s these new ways that will appeal to locals who are interested in working both in front of, and behind the scenes.

“There is no doubt that there is plenty of raw talent in Samoa,” said NUS marketing manager, Marj Moore. “You only need to go to concerts, shows or plays or watch television,” she said.

“However it is also obvious that what is lacking is training, experience and the opportunity to learn new techniques.”

Constructive criticism by visiting Maori entertainer, Sir Howard Morrison also highlighted a lack of confidence by some local performers.

“Don’t just do a straight copy of a song,” he advised young singers, “make it your own interpretation”

Moore said that Performing Arts is just one of the Arts areas that NUS wants to promote.

“We have been very lucky to be able to bring in this diverse and talented team, and to secure financial support from Creative New Zealand, Polynesian Airlines and of course our own university.”

Moore said that the New Zealand High Commissioner, Hon John Adank has also shown support for the venture by offering to host a closing function.

New Zealand

Samoa

2005

July

August

September

October

November

December