March 28, 2013

LONG CLOUD YOUTH THEATRE 

THE NEW YEAR BRINGS A CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP AND A BRAND NEW WORK 

Having been at the helm for two years, Long Cloud Youth Theatre Artistic Director Aaron Cortesi is moving on – becoming a full time Whitireia tutor, as well developing new works with the likes of Taki Rua and A Slightly Isolated Dog.   

2013 marks a new era for the development and sustainability of a venture like Long Cloud: a previous company member, Stella Reid, has taken the reins as Artistic Director. Aaron speaks of his time leading Long Cloud as “in equal measure the most challenging and satisfying endeavour of my career thus far.” 

“It has been so rewarding to see the actors develop into their potential, forging new career paths and going on to create their own work and companies.” 

“I look forward to Stella coming with a fresh energy and vision, and feel hugely excited by the prospect of an ex-company member leading Long Cloud into the future. I want to thank all my collaborators who assisted me with the artistic adventures over the past couple of years, in particular: Christian Penny, Willem Wassenaar, Brett Adam, Paul Tozer, Oliver Morse, Matt Eller, Leon Wadham, Eli Kent, Jo Randerson, Martyn Wood/BATS, Downstage, Leo Gene Peters, Brian Steele and the staff of Whitireia NZ and Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School. Their work has been invaluable for the growth of the company.” 

As a former member and now Artistic Director, Reid’s leadership marks an important milestone in the company’s development, and further conveys Long Cloud’s ascendency as a hothouse for cultivating talent. Both Stella and Whitireia New Zealand acknowledge Aaron’s supreme contribution to the development of Long Cloud Youth Theatre. “I can only hope that the unique work Aaron created, as well as the collaborative methodology he instilled, will continue be practiced and treasured by the company.” (Stella Reid).  

Long Cloud Youth Theatre is a hothouse for New Zealand’s most exciting young acting talent. Long Cloud, run by Whitireia New Zealand and based in Wellington, is a unique training and production company for young people aged 16-21. The Company gives young actors the means to enhance their theatrical skills through practical performance experience and the opportunity to work with Wellington’s foremost theatrical directors and tutors. Company credits are PERFECTLY WASTED (2013), WHEELER’S LUCK (2012), ANOTHER BEGGAR’S OPERA (2012), ASSISTED LIVING (2012), TOM KEEPER PASSES (2012) YO FUTURE (2011) SHEEP (2011), DAUGHTERS OF HEAVEN (2011), EQUUS (2010), THE SEAGULL (2010), VERNON GOD LITTLE (2010), TITUS ANDRONICUS (2009), THE CRUCIBLE (2009), GRIMM & COLONY! (2008 & 2009) and SPRING AWAKENING (2008). 

[LCYT’s next production will be “a work based off Charles L. Mee’s The Bacchae 2.1. Long Cloud is diving into the world of the ancient Greek, exploring a choral, archaic and primal theatre. In this retelling of Euripides’ classic, Charles Mee has combined text from a range of sources, including Valerie Solanas’ SCUM Manifesto, Georges Bataille and Joan Nestle’s Lesbian Herstory Archives.” – 4^th-10^th May.]