Banana Boat proudly supports Michael Rewiri-Thorsen‘s play Strong Hands which opens next week on Wednesday 15 June at the Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall. Strong Hands is produced by Jenni Heka, and shares a double bill with Albert Belz‘s Te Awarua, courtesy of the Tuakana Teina Project.
To book tickets, click here or call 0800 BUY TICKETS.
The meeting began with the traditional opening prayer lead by a newcomer, in this case one of our visiting students.
Discussion around the on-going search for funding and the effect of that on what Bananaboat has been looking at doing for some months eg. Productions, jukebox etc.
Jenni gave an account of what she has been doing in terms of constantly trying to find ways to secure some sort of funding to realise something. There appears to be no real change other than a continuous slog to attain something going forward.
The financial reality and the toil that has eventuated out of trying to stage something from the groups support efforts to encourage writing has begged that we perhaps look at formalising the function/tenets of the group. A clear indication is required of what the group is about and what its goals are. In Jenni’s words, “laying down what the group is about.” eg. Are we a writer’s support group that focuses solely on writers support sans any aspirations to produce the work of its members?
This is something that may need to be looked at future meetings.
Arnette has also offered to look at getting some information from the Companies Office as part of providing the group information around the formation of a trust which will help in giving the group some legitimacy around this entire issue of funding and formalising the group. This will also be an on-going point likely to be discussed going forward.
After the requisite tea-break Introductions were called for so that we would get some background as per usual on our visitors and vice versa our visitors on the attending group members. The resading session ensued with 3 pieces provided generously by Chetan Patel, Dena Kennedy and Michelle Johansson. Each of the pieces were well received and feedback was provided.
As is normal the meeting moved to a recap of where attendees were at in terms of their work following which our guests were rightfully acknowledged for their participation and contribution of energy to a meeting that struggled for positive fiscal news but was boundless in positive creative energy.
The meeting was duly closed with a brief and heartfelt prayer from one of our visiting drama students.
Welcome to the after-match report. Thank you for your patience.
Present were Arnette Arapai, Devo, Albert Belz, Matene Karena, Ole Maiava, Chetan Patel, Jonathan Riley, Amy Rountree, Eric Smith, Reverend Mua Strickson-Pua, Stan Wolfgramm, Jenni Heka and David Mamea.
Apologies were received from the still-globe-trotting Stacey Leilua, the enigmatic Nina Tapu, David Grierson, and the double-booked Michelle Johansson.
Stuff
Jenni kicked things off with reminders like:
– Matariki and all the theatre and writing opportunities available to the group during this auspicious time;
– Jukebox 2009 deadline is 31 July; and
– Banana Boat 2010 submissions have been received and are still being considered – expect an announcement by the next meeting.
Arnette followed up with an impassioned exhortation to the younger writers to do the Postgraduate Masters in Creative Writing at Victoria University in Wellington. What. Are. You. Waiting. For?
Guest Speakers
Wanjiku Kiarie shared her theatre experiences – both on- and behind-stage – from her early days in Kenya through to her time in New Zealand. She promoted the visit of Kenyan playwright Wakanyote Njuguna later in the year. Schedules permitting, Mr Njuguna could give a talk at the October Banana Boat meeting, or even hold a workshop on theatre with a unique perspective (at least for New Zealand). Watch this space.
Sydney resident Devo, in town for Matariki (among other things, I’m sure), is a member of Sydney writing group, Black Men Writing. He shared with the group the possibilities of staging shows: a space for an audience and actors is limited only by our imagination.
Reading
Albert shared the first act of his work in progress Raising the Titanics. The group was treated to a first draft chocker with solid characterisation and narrative through dialogue, behaviour and careful plotting.
Quote of the month goes to Mr Belz for his response to the question of how long it took him to write 35 pages of script: after thinking about it, he said, Since Monday.
Next Meeting —
— will be on Thursday, 23 July at the Toi Ora Live Art Trust, 6 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn.
Scripts to be Read —
— at the July meeting are welcome on a first-in, first-served and time-permitting basis. Only complete act/s for full-length plays, or complete one-act or short plays are read by the group. First-time attendees’ scripts will not be read. Contact David for further information.
Autumn greetings and images of waving palm trees to you.
Welcome to a late after-match report for the 23 April Banana Boat meeting.
Present were Matene, Ole Maiava, Chetan Patel, Stacey Leilua, Jonathan P Riley, Fasitua Amosa, Jenni Heka, Michelle Johansson, Eric Smith, Albert Belz, Stan Wolfgramm, Arnette Arapai, Victoria Schmidt and David Mamea.
Apologies were received from Lee Aholima and Nina Tapu.
Guest speaker playwright Albert Belz gave an inspiring talk to the group about his career to date, including his tour of duty with “Shortland Street”, his process of writing and rewriting, and challenging being pigeonholed as ‘a Maori playwright’.
Housekeeping included:
– a BIG REMINDER that the 2009 Pasifika Playwright Development Forum takes place on Saturday, 2 May;
– the weekend 2-3 May is the deadline for the 2010 Banana Boat season;
– a gentle reminder that Massive will have Lennie James in the country, a resource that Banana Boat would be silly to ignore;
– and a gentle reminder that the Jukebox deadline is a mere three months away.
Readings were generously provided by Ole Maiava and Eric Smith.
Ole’s third draft of his Jukebox submission, “Skin Deep”, showed the group how much a script can change through drafts.
Eric’s own Jukebox submission, “Aitu”, showed how some stories and inspiration can come from the strangest of places.
We had a further two scripts available for reading, by Chetan Patel and Phoenix Seve, but we had run out of time; they now have first dibs for the next meeting.
The next meeting will be on Thursday 28 May at the Toi Ora Live Art Studio, 6 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn. Please note the new street number – Toi Ora has shifted up the road, directly (and by destiny’s hand) behind McDonalds Family Restaurant on Great North Road.
Scripts to be read at the May meeting are welcome on a first-in, first-served and time-permitting basis. If you want them printed beforehand, they must by forwarded to David by end of day Thursday 21 May. Scripts emailed after this date will need to be printed and copied at the author’s expense. Only complete act for a full-length play, or complete one-act or short plays are read by the group.