June 15, 2009

MATARIKI PLAYWRIGHTS BRINGS MAORI THEATRE PRACTITIONERS TOGETHER IN LATE JUNE

With the rising of the matariki stars so comes a time for planting new seeds for theatre by Māori – and at a time when there are concerns over the lack of such theatre’s production in Auckland, Tamaki Makaurau.

New Zealand playwright development organisation and agency Playmarket in association with Auckland City Council and Toi Māori Aotearoa are proud to announce that the Second Annual Matariki Playwrights Hui will take place on the 26th and 27th June at the Tatai Hono Marae, Grafton.
 
They welcome all those interested in theatre by or for Māori to attend discussions and presentations, and share ideas that set a path for the future.
 
Following last year’s inaugural Matariki Playwrights we have recently seen the critically acclaimed premiere of Nga Manurere by newcomer Renae Maihi, developed and presented for the first time a year ago as part of Matariki.  Maihi and company will discuss the work’s development at the hui.
 
This year’s programme also includes a writing workshop by Hone Kouka, a discussion on the future led by well-known director Christian Penny, a dawn observance of the stars and presentations of new works by Chris Molloy and Brendon Simpson.
 
For a copy of the programme and to register go to www.playmarket.org.nz/opportunities/matariki_playwrights <http://www.playmarket.org.nz/opportunities/matariki_playwrights> or email Jenni@playmarket.org.nz
 
Maihi’s work joins Chris Molloy’s The Last Taniwha and Kirk Torrance’s Flintlock Musket (developed as part of Pasifika Playwrights in 2007) as Māori works being produced this year in Auckland.
 
Playmarket with Auckland City Council created an annual development programme for Māori and Pacific Island playwrights in Auckland in 2003 with produced Māori works developed including Flintlock Musket and Miria George’s and what remains.
 
This year’s Matariki see the additional support of Toi Māori Aotearoa’s contemporary drama and dance committee Te Ope o Rehua. Te Ope o Rehua’s pouwhakahaere Stephen Bradshaw will work with Playmarket on the hui, and already has had a long association with their development work in Auckland.
 
Out of the inaugural hui last year came the formation of the Te Arapiki writers group, which has also fostered this year’s Matariki Playwright development recipient Jodi Hoani ‘s These Hands

Last year’s hui attracted many big and emerging players in the theatre world, not only from Auckland but around the country and Playmarket hope this year will be no exception.