Cre ativ eL ear nin g
Auckland Theatre Company
Nau Mai, Haere Mai Ki Te Ao Whakaari o ATC Welcome to Auckland Theatre Company’s Creative Learning programme for 2022. I am delighted to present our annual Acts of Imagination programme, featuring four New Zealand works created by some of the finest artists from across Tāmaki Makaurau and Aotearoa. Our commitment to contemporary New Zealand theatre is reflected in our Acts of Imagination offerings; the 2022 season is all about exploring, refining, and questioning. We’re deconstructing classics, confronting our history, and exploring what our future can be. We invite you into our theatre to join us on this journey. In Term one, we present Lysander’s Aunty, a new work by theatrical magicians, Trick of the Light, which takes a minor character from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and reimagines a new story set deep in the New Zealand bush. In Witi’s Wāhine (Term two), celebrated playwright Nancy Brunning weaves Witi Ihimaera’s most memorable characters into a new narrative. Filled with humour, waiata, and wry wit; this is an incredibly uplifting and beautiful piece of New Zealand writing. Challenging ideas and prejudices of East Asian identity in New Zealand, Scenes from a Yellow Peril (Term three) is a spellbinding deconstruction of theatre. Blending political theatre, performance poetry and conventional theatre forms, this is an exciting new piece from a contemporary young Chinese-Kiwi voice. Dawn Raids (Term three) is a searing piece of socio-political writing by Oscar Kightley. We will be collaborating with a legendary theatre collective: Pacific Underground. Our comprehensive Acts of Imagination programme includes workshops, Q&A Forums and Education Packs and resources.
As we enter a new world where COVID-19 continues to throw uncertainty onto live events, we want to reassure you that you can book with confidence knowing we have a comprehensive COVID-19 policy across our Acts of Imagination School performances at ASB Waterfront Theatre, and across all our Creative Learning offerings. Importantly, you can rest assured that your booking is covered by our COVID-19 Refund Policy. ASB Waterfront Theatre is a compulsory My Vaccine Pass venue. This means everyone over the age of 12 who enters the venue must first present a valid My Vaccine Pass for verification at the door. There are no exceptions to this entry requirement. We strongly encourage teachers to check students’ My Vaccine Pass before students leave the school grounds, because we cannot grant exemptions. We want to acknowledge the work of Lynne Cardy at Auckland Theatre Company who moves on from ATC after 16 years. Lynne has been an incredible force at ATC; a leader, an inspiring educator, and a mentor to many young people. She leaves an incredible legacy and has built a prodigious Creative Learning programme. We are delighted to continue delivering the Acts of Imagination pedagogy to young people in Tāmaki Makaurau and beyond. Thank you to our education community for your continued support and collaboration. We look forward to 2022, where we look after each other and connect over the power of storytelling. I would like to formally invite you and your students to join us in 2022 as we look to the stage, to consider our past and to imagine our future. See you at the theatre.
Jonathan Bielski Artistic Director & CEO
ATC Creative Learning 2022
Contents Welcome Acts of Imagination – School Matinees
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Curriculum Links
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The Plays Lysander’s Aunty
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Witi’s Wāhine
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Scenes from a Yellow Peril
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Dawn Raids
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About the Artists
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Get Involved Acts of Imagination Workshops
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Resources
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Youth Night
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ATC Youth Company
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Bookings How to Book
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Find Us
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Plan Your Visit
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Accessibility
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Contact Us
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Cover image: ATC Summer School 2021. Credit: Andi Crown Photography
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Acts of Imagination:
General Information
The full package:
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Booking a bus?
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Concerned about content?
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Prefer to come to an evening show?
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Public performances
In School Workshops with ATC Teaching Artists
Acts of Imagination School Matinees
Teachers Workshop Acts of Imagination
Education Resources
Post-Show Forums
Productions in the Acts of Imagination programme are selected from our 2022 season for their suitability to the classroom and curriculum-related content. After each Acts of Imagination performance there is a Q&A Forum with selected cast members. Teachers Workshops take place at our rehearsal studios and online. Student workshops take place in school with students who are attending a performance. You can also add tailor-made student and teacher workshops to your package. (See page 15 for details). In 2022, our schools performances take place at Auckland Theatre Company’s home, the ASB Waterfront Theatre in Wynyard Quarter. 2
We know the show running time is key. Estimated running times are listed, however these may change during rehearsal so please check our website for the exact duration closer to the performance date or if in doubt, contact us.
ATC productions may contain mature material but sometimes this cannot be confirmed until rehearsals commence. We offer a guide in this brochure and take all measures to inform you if the content changes prior to your performance. Please ensure you check each show page for relevant advisory information. If you require further assistance, please contact us.
We recommend booking into Youth Night as school group ticket prices are the same as for a school matinee, and these performances are followed by a Q&A with the cast and creative team. Please note that Acts of Imagination performances of Scenes from a Yellow Peril are evening performances. (See page 18 for details).
Schools are welcome to make a group booking for public performances of any ATC production, but ticket prices vary, and availability is limited.
HERE & NOW Festival 2021, Fleshies 2.0. Credit: Benny Joy Photography
Acts of Imagination School Matinees
ATC Creative Learning 2022
Curriculum Links Acts of Imagination program activities relate directly to the practical knowledge, understanding context, and developing ideas strands of the NZ Curriculum from Levels 5 to 8. They also have direct relevance to many of the NCEA achievement standards at all three levels. All secondary school drama students (Years 9 to 13) should be experiencing live theatre as a part of their learning in order to develop understanding of the arts in context. Curriculum Levels 6, 7 and 8 require the inclusion of New Zealand drama in their course of work. NCEA external examinations at each level (Level 1 – AS90011, Level 2 – AS91219, Level 3 – AS91518) require students to write about live theatre they have seen. Students who experience fully produced professional theatre are generally advantaged in answering these questions.
3 The Life of Galileo. Credit: Andi Crown Photography
LYSANDER’S AUNTY or A Most Rageful Irreverent Comedy Concerning an Offstage Character from A Midsummer Night’s Dream BY RALPH McCUBBIN HOWELL
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ATC Creative Learning 2022
Jumping from Athens to Aotearoa, with a cast of New Zealand’s finest comic and stage talent, in an uproarious wild ride of magic, mayhem and mutiny. ASB Waterfront Theatre
Direction: Hannah Smith
Dates: Thu 17 Mar – Sun 3 Apr Genre: NZ Theatre, Comedy
ACTS OF IMAGINATION Teachers Workshop: Mon 28 Feb, 2 – 5pm Youth Night: Tue 22 Mar, 7pm School Matinees: Thu 24 Mar and Thu 31 Mar, 11am
In William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, young lovers Lysander and Hermia defy the Duke by eloping to an aunt’s house in the woods. But, just who is this law-snubbing, free-loving aunty? What’s she doing in the bush? And what happens when the law comes knocking at her door? This riotous reworking of Shakespeare’s most popular play takes a cannon to the canon.
More than a retelling, Lysander’s Aunty uses excerpts of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Elizabethan theatre form to poke fun at contemporary New Zealand culture. Part parody, part “State of the Nation”, Lysander’s Aunty has strong links to the Drama and English curriculum.
In school Workshops: Thu 17 Mar to Thu 7 Apr CONTENT INFO Approx. Duration: 2 hours 10 minutes, plus interval Advisory: Contains strong language. References to drug use, some sexual references. Suitability: Year levels 9 – 13
CURRICULUM INFO Themes and Ideas: Activism and protest. Literary canonisation. Gender and sexuality. Challenging patriarchy. New Zealand culture & identity. Connection to the land and environment. Traditionalism & antiquity vs nature & the natural world. Drama Connections: NZ Theatre. Comedy and farce. Large ensemble cast. Theatrical adaptation. Shakespearian comedy. Elizabethan theatre form. Silhouette and projection.
A co-production between Auckland Theatre Company, Trick of the Light, Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts, Auckland Arts Festival and Brilliant Adventures. Commissioned by The Court Theatre. By arrangement with Playmarket.
English Connections: Shakespeare. Language conventions. Adaptation.
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ATC Creative Learning 2022
An uplifting love song to the wāhine toa of the East Coast who inhabit Witi Ihimaera’s celebrated writing. ASB Waterfront Theatre
Direction: Waimihi Hotere
Dates: Tue 10 May – Sat 28 May Genre: NZ Theatre
Four wāhine take their journeys through history and mythology, sharing tears, jokes and waiata along the way. But these are no ordinary women – they’re matriarchs of New Zealand fiction, finally stepping out from the shadows. In Witi Ihimaera’s books, characters spring from the page, fully formed and opinionated. Here, some of his most memorable characters, from works like The Parihaka Woman, The Matriarch and Pounamu Pounamu, step onto the stage. The result is Witi’s Wāhine, a love letter or, more accurately, a love song, to the women of Te Tairāwhiti, the East Coast, who inhabit Ihimaera’s writing: the wāhine of his own whānau. Nancy Brunning has crafted a story that fuses loving tribute with powerful commentary, levity with unflinching reality, sensitivity with warm affection.
Witi’s Wāhine is perfect for learning groups who are exploring the short stories & novels of Witi Ihimaera. Additionally, the work is a great example of contemporary Māori theatre and has links to the English and Drama curriculums.
WITI IHIMAERA REFERENCED TEXTS Witi’s Wāhine references and draws from the following titles: • Short story: I’ve Been Thinking About You, Sister • The Parihaka Woman • The Matriarch (and the sequel, The Dream Swimmer) • Bulibasha • The Whale Rider • Pounamu Pounamu
Mihi aroha to Tama Waipara and the Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival for their tautoko and manaaki. They provided the pathway for Nancy’s vision. Tama was unshakeable in his belief in our māreikura and her writing. Hāpai Productions acknowledges the role Tama plays in bringing this beautiful tribute to life.
ACTS OF IMAGINATION Teachers Workshop: Tue 3 May, 2 – 5pm Youth Night: Tue 17 May, 7pm School Matinees: Thu 19 May, Tue 24 May, 11am In School Workshops: Mon 10 May to Fri 27 May CONTENT INFO Approx. Duration: 1 hour 20 mins, no interval Advisory: Described violence Suitability: Year levels 9 – 13
CURRICULUM INFO Themes and Ideas: Mana Wāhine. Toi Māori. Te reo Māori and waiata. Society and cross-cultural issues. Drama Connections: Contemporary Māori performance. NZ feminist theatre. Revisiting stories. Thematic storytelling. Monologue. Ensemble. Use of waiata & music. English Connections: Witi Ihimaera’s short stories and novels. A co-production between Auckland Theatre Company and Hāpai Productions. 7
SCENES FROM A PERIL
YELLOW
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Scenarios For The Assimilated Asian BY NATHAN JOE
ATC Creative Learning 2022
An uncomfortable, playful, and enlightening provocation on racism and privilege in Aotearoa. ASB Waterfront Theatre
Direction: Jane Yonge
Dates: Tue 21 Jun – Sun 3 Jul Genre: Contemporary Theatre, NZ Theatre, Performance Poetry
This is a doom scroll disguised as a play: a world premiere from an arresting new voice. A meta-analysis of Asian identity, carved into razor-sharp scenes that cut to the cultural quick. An uncomfortable lesson on privilege and racism in Aotearoa. Scenes from a Yellow Peril is less a play, more a series of insights that, when taken together, expose the pain of the way in which some people are othered but whose experience will not be denied. From award-winning Chinese-New Zealand writer, actor, poet and general polymath Nathan Joe, the work dissolves the traditional play format into a rapid-fire collection of snapshots and observations, flickering past in a rush of live music and hard-tohear truths.
Scenes From a Yellow Peril is a contemporary performance piece suitable for senior students exploring work with increasing depth. The play includes monologues, poetry and dialogue, and has links to Drama and English.
ACTS OF IMAGINATION Teachers Workshop: Tue 7 Jun, 2 – 5pm School Performances: Tue 21 Jun, 7pm and Wed 22 Jun, 7pm Youth Night: Tue 28 Jun, 7pm In School Workshops: Mon 13 Jun to Fri 1 Jul
CONTENT INFO Approx. Duration: 1 hour 15 mins, no interval Advisory: Contains strong language, discussions of violence. Frank discussion of racism and racial violence. Explicit sexual content (described). Suitability: Year levels 12 – 13 CURRICULUM INFO Themes and Ideas: East Asian identities. Intersectionality. Cross-cultural issues. Microaggressions. Colonisation. Contemporary identity politics. Confronting systemic racism and discrimination in NZ. Drama Connections: NZ Theatre. Political theatre. Metatheatricality. Performance poetry. Contemporary NZ Theatre practice. Deconstructed, thematic storytelling.
A co-production between Auckland Theatre Company and SquareSums&Co, in association with Oriental Maidens.
English Connections: NZ Poetry. Performance poetry.
Artwork created by Kerry Ann Lee. By arrangement with Playmarket.
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ATC Creative Learning 2022
Legendary Pasifika theatre collective Pacific Underground revisits Dawn Raids 25 years on, in the wake of the apology. ASB Waterfront Theatre
Direction: Jake Arona,
Dates: Tue 16 Aug – Sat 3 Sep
Tanya Muagututi’a, Troy Tu’ua
Genre: NZ Theatre
Central Auckland. 1973. Fuarosa sleeps with one eye on the front door, in fear of it bursting open. Sione struggles to keep the peace by day and croons Elvis love songs by night. Teresa turns to activism to channel her rage but only her mate Bene hears her. Steve is a policeman, turning his own people out of their homes – even though it turns his stomach. Mose supports the raids and scorns overstayers. Join Sione and his band, the Noble Hawai’ian Sabretooth Tigers, as they welcome you to the Paradise Honeypot Club where everything is beautiful, until it isn’t.
Dawn Raids is a fictional story set during a crucial period of New Zealand history, with links to the social studies & drama curriculum. The play represents discussions of the Dawn Raids and depicts the causes and consequences on a family. This is a new production by Pacific Underground of a classic New Zealand work, written by Oscar Kightley. The text of Dawn Raids, including study notes on Pacific Underground is published.
COMPLEMENTARY TEXTS
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Dawn Raid by Pauline Vaeluaga Smith
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The Panthers, TVNZ
The ‘Whakaako Kia Whakaora / Educate to Liberate’ mural project
A co-production between Auckland Theatre Company and Pacific Underground. By arrangement with Playmarket.
ACTS OF IMAGINATION Teachers Workshop: Mon 1 Aug, 2 – 5pm Youth Night: Tue 23 Aug, 7pm School Matinees: Thu 25 Aug, Tue 30 Aug, and Thu 1 Sep, 11am In School Workshops: Mon 15 Aug to Fri 2 Sep
CONTENT INFO Approx. Duration: 2 hours, including interval Advisory: Contains strong language, described violence Suitability: Year levels 11 – 13
CURRICULUM INFO Themes and Ideas: Pasifika and New Zealand history. New Zealand race relations. Inter-generational conflict. The nature of protest and resistance. Polynesian Panthers & student activism. Drama Connections: Pasifika Theatre. New Zealand Theatre. Oscar Kightley – NCEA prescribed playwright. Social Studies & History Connections: Causes & consequences of the Dawn Raids. Cross-cultural issues.
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Lysander’s Aunty or A Most Rageful Irreverent Comedy Concerning an Offstage Character from A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Trick of the Light Te Whanganui-a-Tara
Trick of the Light (The Bookbinder, The Griegol) is an award-winning theatre company founded by Hannah Smith and Ralph McCubbin Howell, who make and tour original work around Aotearoa and the world. Since 2011 it has built a following for a diverse range of shows, ranging from dark cross-over works for adults and children to biting political satire, but are unified by their attention to narrative, integrated visual design, and a belief that theatre should resonate with the wider world. Their work has been seen across Aotearoa, Australia, the UK, Canada, America and South Africa. Find out more at www.trickofthelight.co.nz
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Witi’s Wāhine
Hāpai Productions Te Whanganui-a-Tara
Based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Hāpai Productions’ vision is to produce mana enhancing Māori Theatre productions whilst upholding Māori Values. Hāpaingia te kaupapa Māori me te mana Māori, mā te auaha a ngā whakaari Māori me ngā mahi a te mātauranga Māori – Upholding Māori philosophical practices, prestige and the pursuit of Māori knowledge through the creation of Māori theatre. Nancy Brunning (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāi Tūhoe) and Tanea Heke (Ngāpuhi nui tonu) worked together for years (way back in the last ‘90s). They decided to combine forces in 2013 and created Hāpai Productions. The wahine Māori voice is important to establishing a balanced perspective of the Māori world view. Hāpai key focus is in creating more opportunities for wāhine representation on stage and behind the scenes.
ASB Waterfront Theatre auditorium backstage. Credit: Jinki Cambronero Photography
Acts Of Imagination About The Artists
ATC Creative Learning 2022
Scenes from a Yellow Peril
Dawn Raids
SquareSums&Co in association with Oriental Maidens
Pacific Underground
Tāmaki Makaurau
Oriental Maidens Oriental Maidens, founded by Ankita Singh, is a production company, facilitating and supporting creatives of difference, encouraging multicultural discourse and breaking the boundaries of what it means to be an Asian diaspora creative.
SquareSums&Co SquareSums&Co is an Auckland-based arts/artist management and creative producing agency that represents a bespoke roster of storytellers, entertainers and works. Led by co-founding Partners Square & Sums, we are especially interested in crossover, cross-cultural and cross-genre work and talent.
Nathan Joe Nathan Joe is an award-winning playwright and performance poet based between Tāmaki Makaurau and Ōtautahi. His work tends to be confessional or autobiographical in nature, often wrestling with the experience of being Chinese-Kiwi diaspora through a queer lens. Recent projects include curating BIPOC spoken word showcase Dirty Passports at Basement Theatre, co-creating Slay the Dragon or Save the Dragon or Neither with A Slightly Isolated Dog, and directing Yang/Young/杨 for Auckland Theatre Company. He is the 2020 National Slam Champion.
Jane Yonge Jane creates work that responds to two strands: New Zealand identity, specifically how New Zealanders deal (or fail to deal) with cultural identity. The other strand is grief, memory and loss. Jane uses a combination of genres and theatrical forms to investigate these themes: comedy, satire, and psychological thriller.
Ōtautahi
Pacific Underground (PU) began in Christchurch as a theatre company in 1992 and has remained Aotearoa’s longest running Pasifika performing arts group that has nurtured artists throughout its three-decade run. From 1999, Tanya Muagututi’a and Pos Mavaega’s leadership and their added diversification into music and event production gave opportunity to collaborate with many Pasifika and Māori artists, and events across the country, in New Caledonia, Australia and at three FESTPACs in Belau, American Samoa and Solomon Islands. This garnered PU various awards throughout its years such as in 1994 its Radio New Zealand Media Peace Award with Jackie Dunn for their radio play version of Fresh Off The Boat by Oscar Kightley and Simon Small, 2016’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the Pacific Music Awards and this years’ Queen’s Birthday honours for Tanya and Pos becoming Members of the NZ Order of Merit. In 2021 PU supported the formation and premiere season of brand new company No.3 Roskill Theatre and its ground-breaking production of Love To Say Goodbye. It was during this season and later in the year at Hone Kouka and Miria George’s Kia Mau Festival, PU presented public play readings of Dawn Raids. Both seasons of this were in honour of the 50th anniversary of The Polynesian Panthers. Also in the past year PUs newest digital collaborations resulted in an online music fono with Pacific musicians from Ardijah to Ladi 6 and with Creative Nātives they delivered Pasifika Solutions Talanoa and supported Otago Polyfest’s world first online Polyfest and concert Te Moananui A Kiwa. Before the lockdowns in 2019 PU celebrated their 25th anniversary and revived two shows – Island Summer by Pos Mavaega at the Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival and Fresh Off The Boat by Oscar Kightley and Simon Small with The Court Theatre. Also at the Court Theatre, Tanya workshopped her award winning play Scholars, and at the Christchurch Arts Festival PU presented their reunion show Meet me at the Doghouse that featured Pos’s musical whānau Ladi6, Dallas Tamaira, Mara TK, Sheelahroc, with last minute appearances by Scribe and Bella Kalolo. 13
Special Requests Looking for an artist to Zoom into your classroom? Bespoke online workshops are available to book. Contact us to discuss your requirements. HERE & NOW Festival 2021. Credit: Benny Joy Photography and Becki Moss
ATC Creative Learning 2022
Acts of Imagination Workshops Acts of Imagination workshops connect young people and teachers to our plays. Teachers Workshops
Student Workshops
Teachers Workshops take place at our rehearsal studios and online. Find out more about each play and work with teaching artists to unpack the production for your students.
Student Workshops take place in school with students who are attending a performance. Pre and post-show workshops are 50 minutes in duration and designed to fit into your timetable.
Format: • Creative activity – introduction to the world of the play • Observe – open rehearsal • Design presentation – production & technical elements • Director’s vision – concept & background • Creative activity – unpacking the play for the classroom
Each workshop builds upon the other and you can book one or both sessions.
Includes a complimentary ticket to a preview performance so you can see the play before you bring your students to the theatre. Lysander’s Aunty Witi’s Wāhine Scenes from a Yellow Peril Dawn Raids
Mon 28 Feb, 2 – 5pm Tue 3 May, 2 – 5pm Tue 7 Jun, 2 – 5pm Mon 1 Aug, 2 – 5pm
Meet The Makers
Pre-show workshop to prepare students to see the play: • Aligned to NCEA exam specifications • Introduces the world of the play and key features • Opportunities to explore creative processes • Connects directly to what they will see onstage Post-show workshop to dig deeper into each performance: • Helps students to recall key scenes and moments • Explores use of elements, techniques, and conventions • Opportunities to further explore creative processes
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Discussion of technical/design elements
Student Workshop Schedule
Once the show has opened, teachers are invited to meet the makers in an online conversation with directors, designers and other creative or backstage personnel hosted by our friends at Drama New Zealand.
Lysander’s Aunty Thu 17 Mar to Thu 7 Apr Witi’s Wāhine Mon 10 May to Fri 27 May Scenes from a Yellow Peril Mon 13 Jun to Fri 1 Jul Dawn Raids Mon 15 Aug to Fri 2 Sep
Meet The Makers Schedule Check our website atc.co.nz/creative-learning in January 2022 for this year’s schedule. 15
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Resources ATC offers free education resources for our Acts of Imagination productions.
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Education Packs Education Packs contain valuable information about the show, from synopsis to production background, key themes, design elements and director’s vision. Education Packs include full page production images. Available for all learners to download free of charge online following opening night. Education Packs are available at atc.co.nz/creative-learning
You can explore the Acts of Imagination productions in greater depth online with the support of our free digital resources. Alongside our Education Packs, we publish a range of materials to help students unpack & explore our shows. Digital Resources are available at atc.co.nz/creative-learning
HERE & NOW Festival 2021. Read Live. Credit: Becki Moss
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Digital Resources
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ATC Creative Learning 2022
HOW BOOK TO
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Complete Your Booking Worksheet
Fill in The Online Booking Form
Pay Deposit to Secure Booking
Use the worksheet to chart your bookings for the year. It can be downloaded from atc.co.nz/creative-learning
Find the online booking form for our School Matinees and workshops on our website: atc.co.nz/creative-learning
Once we receive your booking form, we will invoice your school for a non-refundable deposit.
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Confirm Numbers
Make Your Final Payment
Confirmation
Final numbers must be confirmed at least six weeks prior to each performance date. We will then send you an invoice for the final balance of payment.
Balance of payment must be received within 14 days to secure your seats.
Receive confirmation and useful pre-show information from us. Please note school matinees are not ticketed events. Your group will be seated by venue staff upon arrival. 17
Prefer to come to an evening show? Youth Night Performances Connecting young people to the transformational magic of theatre, Youth Night performances of every ATC production are dedicated to and curated by young people. School groups can book for Youth Night at the same price as school matinees. Performances are followed by a Q&A with selected members of the cast and creative team.
Please check the content and suitability of these plays for your students on our website or contact us for more details. All Youth Night performances are at 7pm Grand Horizons
Tue
15 Feb
Lysander’s Aunty
Tue
22 Mar
Witi’s Wāhine
Tue
17 May
Scenes from a Yellow Peril
Tue
28 Jun
Long Day’s Journey into Night
Tue
12 Jul
Dawn Raids
Tue
23 Aug
The Made
Tue
27 Sep
North By Northwest
Tue
1 Nov
The Life of Galileo Opening Night. Credit: Jinki Cambronero Photography
Grand Horizons
North by Northwest
By Bess Wohl Direction: Jennifer Ward-Lealand
Adapted by Carolyn Burns Direction: Simon Phillips
ASB Waterfront Theatre | 8 Feb – 5 Mar Youth Night: Tue 15 Feb, 7pm | Term 1
ASB Waterfront Theatre | 25 Oct – 19 Nov Youth Night: Tue 1 Nov, 7pm | Term 4
They’ve done old, blue and borrowed. Time for something new.
One simple mistake. A thousand miles to run.
The New Zealand premiere of Bess Wohl’s Tonynominated uproarious comedy, Grand Horizons, is a heart-warming and cathartic unravelling of a family unit, which is trying to pursue happiness and fulfilment, when each member is at a different stage of life.
Advisory: Contains strong language 18
Frantic and fun, inventive and intriguing, Alfred Hitchcock’s trailblazing thriller North by Northwest is boldly re-imagined for the stage.
ATC Creative Learning 2022
Suggested Youth Night titles for school groups:
Long Day’s Journey into Night
The Made
By Eugene O’Neill Direction: Shane Bosher
By Emily Perkins Direction: Colin McColl
Q Theatre, Rangatira | 5 – 30 Jul Youth Night: Tue 12 Jul, 7pm Term 2 School Holidays
ASB Waterfront Theatre | 20 Sept - 8 Oct Youth Night: Tue 27 Sep, 7pm | Term 3
We all have our demons. Sometimes, they escape. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1957 and regarded as a masterpiece of 20th-century American playwriting, Long Day’s Journey into Night is a deeply moving and poetic portrait of the irresistible pull of family and, most remarkably, the family’s capacity to heal.
Advisory: Contains strong language and references to addiction
Just because someone is made, doesn’t mean they’re owned. Visionary scientist Alice is at the cutting edge of her field, striving to generate emotions in robots. But, when those robots are used for domestic service, how will they feel? Award-winning New Zealand author Emily Perkins (Novel About My Wife, Not Her Real Name and Other Stories) explores the concepts of humanity, creation and family connection with characteristic insight and wit.
Advisory: Contains strong language and sexual content 19
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Te Wero Bridge
Jellicoe St
Madden St
ASB WATERFRONT THEATRE
Halsey St
Daldy St
Beaumont St
JELLICOE STREET CAR PARK
Viaduct Harbour
BUS STOP
Pakenham St W ha
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Nelson St
Find Us
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The ASB Waterfront Theatre is at 138 Halsey Street, Wynyard Quarter, only a short stroll along the city’s beautiful waterfront from Britomart.
Travelling by Bus
VICTORIA PARK ASB Waterfront Theatre is a COVID Vaccination Certificate (CVC) mandated venue. All audience members aged 12 and over will be asked to show your My Vaccine Pass upon entry. Check the latest COVID-19 Advice here: asbwaterfronttheatre.co.nz/ covid-19/
Students will disembark at the Madden Street bus parking area. Buses must approach the theatre from the Beaumont Street end of Madden Street and then pull into the bus stop to unload students. Buses must not stop on Halsey Street directly outside ASB Waterfront theatre. Bus signage: To assist, it is essential that your school name is Wellesley St West clearly displayed.
Hobson St
Nelson St
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On arrival at an Acts of Imagination school matinee our front of house staff will meet and greet your group, guide you to the venue and liaise with your driver about post-show pick-ups.
ATC Creative Learning 2022
PLAN VISIT YOUR
Research Check venue, suitability and advisory details. Follow your school's process for booking trips. Download travel information from our website. atc.co.nz/creative-learning/ school-matinee-programmme/
On The Day Arrive at the theatre 30 minutes before the show starts. Our teaching artist team will talk to your students about what to expect before the play starts. Take a seat and enjoy the show! Performances are followed by a 20-minute Q&A Forum with the cast and key creatives.
Before Your Visit Read our Briefing Notes and talk about the play with your students. Briefing Notes tell you what to expect and give you an overview of the play. Host a pre-show workshop with our teaching artist team.
Back in Your Classroom Explore our Education Pack and digital resources to unpack the play with your students. Host a post-show workshop with our teaching artist team. 21
Coming Soon: ATC Youth Company Create. Express. Play. We’re looking for the next generation of theatre makers in Tāmaki Makaurau. ATC Youth Company is Auckland Theatre Company’s resident company for artists aged 16 – 25. ATC Youth Company is for actors, directors, designers, writers & theatre artists looking for in-depth, pre-professional training and practical opportunities. Offering fortnightly workshops across the year, and exclusive access to masterclasses, production opportunities and free tickets to all our shows. Company members will develop, create, and grow at the heart of Auckland Theatre Company.
Find out more and book an audition workshop:
atc.co.nz
22 Teacher’s Workshop. Credit: Lynne Cardy
How do my students get involved? Due to COVID-19 alert levels, we are running two intakes across 2022. We’re looking for ten young people to participate in a summer project exploring the present moment live or virtually. Over Term One we’re looking for 30 people to make the full company!
What do ATC Youth Company members have access to?
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Fortnightly company meetings during term time at ATC
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Opt-in training workshops & programs at ATC, running in parallel with the production activity of ATC’s 2022 Season
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A tailored and responsive program, co-designed with company members.
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The opportunity to co-design our Youth Night offering with ATC
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Two free tickets to every Youth Night performance across 2022
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Production opportunities including an end of year performance
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Opportunities to grow socially, personally and professionally
ATC Creative Learning 2022
Accessibility PRESENTED BY
Our accessibility programme provides Audio-Described and New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) interpreted performances to make our productions accessible to blind/low-vision and Deaf/hard-of-hearing patrons. Our staff can accommodate your needs.
Wheelchair Access ASB Waterfront Theatre has eight seats and three wheelchair spaces centrally located in the auditorium, reserved for customers with special access requirements. There is step-free, level access to all tiers of the building and to seating in the stalls. Wheelchair-accessible toilets are located on the ground floor; accessible parking is available on Madden Street and other accessible parking spaces are within 150 metres of the theatre.
Assistance Dogs Assistance dogs are welcome at the ASB Waterfront Theatre. We can find a seat that’s comfortable for you and your dog or arrange for the theatre staff to look after your dog during the show.
Accessible Performance and Companion Tickets Tickets to NZSL-interpreted and audio-described performances are $20 for Deaf/hard-of-hearing and blind/low-vision patrons. One companion ticket per theatre-goer is also available for $20.
Hearing Assistance The theatre has a T-Loop radio frequency system to amplify the sound of the performance. If you don’t use a hearing aid or your hearing aid does not have a T setting, there is a listener unit available on request from the box office.
New Zealand Sign Language -Interpreted Performances NZSL-interpreted performances feature a trained interpreter from Platform Interpreting New Zealand who appears on stage to interpret the show for Deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons in the audience. The trained interpreters carefully translate the play’s script prior to the performance and work closely with the cast and crew to incorporate the vision into their final interpretation.
NZSL-Interpreted Performance Dates Grand Horizons Sat 5 March, 2pm Lysander’s Aunty Sun 27 March, 4pm Witi’s Wāhine Sat 28 May, 8pm Scenes from a Yellow Peril Sat 25 June, 8pm and Sat 2 July, 2pm Long Day’s Journey into Night Sun 24 July, 4pm Dawn Raids Sat 3 September, 2pm The Made Sat 8 October, 8pm North by Northwest Sat 19 November, 8pm
Audio-Described Performances and Pre-Show Touch Tour Audio-described performances provide a live audio commentary by professionals from Audio Described Aotearoa who describe key visual elements of what is happening on stage, slipped seamlessly between portions of dialogue. This commentary is relayed to blind and low-vision patrons via an earpiece which is provided at no extra charge to those booking accessibility tickets. Taking place 90 minutes before the audio- described performance, the touch tour is a free experience where patrons can walk through the set, touch props, feel costumes and familiarise themselves with visual and sensory materials in the performance. Touch tours are for visually impaired patrons and their companions only.
Audio-Described Performance Dates Grand Horizons Sat 26 February, 2pm Lysander’s Aunty Sat 26 March, 2pm Witi’s Wāhine Sat 21 May, 2pm Scenes from a Yellow Peril Sun 3 July, 4pm Long Day’s Journey into Night Sat 16 July, 2pm Dawn Raids Tue 30 August, 7pm The Made Sun 2 October, 4pm North by Northwest Wed 16 November, 7pm
If your group is interested in attending an NZSL Interpreted or Audio-Described Performance, please contact ATC.
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Contact Us Acts Of Imagination School Matinee Bookings atc.co.nz/creative-learning If you have any questions regarding your booking please contact the Ticketing team at boxoffice@atc.co.nz. To discuss the suitability of the plays for your students please contact Participation Coordinator Sam Phillips at sam@atc.co.nz.
AUCKLAND THEATRE COMPANY BOARD OF DIRECTORS Vivien Sutherland Bridgwater (Chair) Karen Fistonich Isaac Hikaka Katie Jacobs Derek McCormack Graeme Pinfold Alison Quigan QSM LEADERSHIP Artistic Director & CEO: Jonathan Bielski ARTISTIC OPERATIONS Director, Artistic Operations & Deputy CEO: Anna Cameron Producer: Philippa Neels Production Manager: Antonia Richardson Company Manager: Elaine Walsh Participation Coordinator: Sam Phillips Literary Manager: Philippa Campbell MARKETING & TICKETING
Social facebook @TheATC instagram @aucklandtheatreco twitter @akldtheatreco
Director, Marketing: Joanna O’Connor Marketing Manager: Kate Shapiro PR Manager: Vanessa Preston Graphic Designer: Wanda Tambrin Marketing Executive: Camila Araos Elevancini Social Media Specialist: Lucy Parker Ticketing Manager: Gary Barker Ticketing Executive: Lexi Clare Ticketing Administrator: Bruce Brown
Website atc.co.nz
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION Director, Finance: Kerry Tomlin Accountant: Reena Mudliar Head of Strategy: Natasha Pearce Development Coordinator: Natalya Mandich-Dohnt Administration Coordinator: Eliza Josephson-Rutter Archivist: Mary Donald ASB WATERFRONT THEATRE Director, ASB Waterfront Theatre: Sharon Byrne Event Sales Manager: Tracey Rowe Event Operations Manager: Lucy Gardner Front of House Manager: Ralph Corke Venue Technical Manager: Johnny Chen Technical Administrator: Mitch Turei
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Celebrating Our Partners
Major Supporter
Supporting Partners
Core Funder
University Partner
Presenting Partners
Principal Funders
Thanks to the supporters of Auckland Theatre Company
the chartwell trust lou and iris fisher charitable trust pub charity sir john logan campbell residuary estate skycity auckland community trust
Silver Partners
Trusts and Foundations
Project Funders
Gold Partners
Project Partners
Platinum Partners
Major Funders
Founding Corporate Partners
Foundation Partners
Thanks to the supporters of the ASB Waterfront Theatre
Founding Benefactors, Patrons and Donors
Auckland Theatre Company is proud to be an associate member of Drama New Zealand: the national subject association for Teachers of Drama in Education.
Lysander’s Aunty or A Most Rageful Irreverent Comedy Concerning an Offstage Character from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Scenes from a Yellow Peril and Dawn Raids By arrangement with Playmarket
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