New Performing Arts Ambassadors programme for Pōneke

With the recent closures of Capital E’s National Theatre for Children, Star Jam, Long Cloud Youth Theatre, Summer Shakespeare, and Young & Hungry—along with the looming threat to Te Auaha—the young people of Pōneke are at risk of growing up without regular access to high-quality Performing Arts made for and with them. Coupled with high ticket prices (a result of our box office funding model), many students are missing out on the opportunity to engage with the arts in New Zealand’s so-called ‘Cultural Capital.’

In response, PAYPA is partnering with Whakaari Aotearoa: Drama New Zealand, Te Whanganui-a-Tara branch, to trial the reestablishment of the Student Performing Arts Ambassadors programme. Inspired by the former Young & Hungry initiative, this programme will see 1–2 ambassadors from each participating kura regularly attend performances at key venues, forming a community of Performing Arts advocates who experience live theatre together each month.

Participants will also have access to mentorship and professional development opportunities, including theatre review writing with Theatreview and workshops with Te Herenga Waka’s Theatre and Performance Studies lecturers.

This free programme launched on March 25th with a viewing of Blithe Spirit at Circa Theatre. It currently has 18 schools and 36 students signed up. We are excited to meet every month to view and discuss Performing Arts events in the capital.

Performing Arts companies signed up included: Circa Theatre, Te Whare Ngangahau- Theatre & Performance Studies at Te Herenga Waka, RNZB, NZ Opera, BATS theatre.

For more information, contact Kerryn: performingartsypa@gmail.com