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Tag Archives: Jenni Heka
November Fono
Talofa lava
Taloha ni
Fakaalofa lahi atu
Malo e lelei
Kia orana
Tena koutou
Ni sa bula
Welcome to the after-match report from Banana Boat’s November fono in Grey Lynn.
Present were Arnette Arapai, Aroha Awarau, Grant Bayley, Samson Chan-Boon, Jenni Heka, Leki Jackson Bourke, Leroy Lakamu, Shadon Meredith, Natalie Malietoa-Moa, David Mamea, Suli Moa, Leilani Salesa, and Leilani Unasa.
Apologies were received from a night-shootin’ Bobby Romia, an always-giggin’ James Nokise, a lu’au suppin’ Geraldine Warren, a middle-a-rehearsin’ Louise Tu’u, a baby-sittin’ Claire Noble, a catch-uppin’ Teresa Brown, and a stuck-at-work Chris Molloy.
BANANA BOAT BUSINESS
Jenni had something about Spit.It.Out, a reading/performance opportunity for closet-performer writers and brazenly-out-there-already performers. This minute taker has of course lost the piece of paper Jenni entrusted him with – for actual details please either check our Facebook page or email Jenni.
Banana Boat’s end-of-year drinkies will be on Thursday 6 December at the Neighbourhood Bar in Kingsland. Check our Facebook page for more details.
COMING UP
Louise Tu’u’s Gaga: the unmentionable goes up for just two nights: Monday-Tuesday 3-4 December 2012 in Newton.
SCRIPT READINGS
Aroha spoke about his public reading of Luncheon earlier in the week. No matter what was said, David was just gutted on missing out, damn it.
David’s first full-length draft of Goodbye My Feleni was generously read by Shadon, Samson, Andy and Leki, with Leilani U. very kindly reading the directions. David is grateful to everyone’s forbearance for the hour-long reading – and always, grateful for any and all feedback on the draft’s strengths and weaknesses.
NEXT FONO
– will be on Thursday 24 January 2013 at the Toi Ora Live Art Studio, 6 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn. This will be the first fono for 2013.
September Fono
Tena koutou
Ni sa bula
Talofa lava
Taloha ni
Fakaalofa lahi atu
Malo e lelei
Kia orana
Welcome to the after-match report from Banana Boat’s September fono in Grey Lynn.
Present were Grant Bayley, Louise Tu’u, Bobby Romia, Aroha Awarau, Geraldine Warren, David Mamea, and Jenni Heka.
No apologies were received.
BANANA BOAT BUSINESS
Geraldine was welcomed back!
Jenni shared some news.
Aroha had a full on month of play watching and he shared his views to a very appreciative audience.
COMING UP
Louise‘s We Should Practice is holding workshops on applying for International Residencies, Wednesday 10 to Thursday 11 October 2012 – more details here.
Suli Moa‘s A Heart’s Path is on right now!
SCRIPT READINGS
Louise gave the fono the “Five Items Exercise”. It was challenging! It was hilarious! It was fun!
David visited the meeting with another undercooked TV pilot spec script.
NEXT FONO
– will be on Thursday 25 October at the Toi Ora Live Art Studio, 6 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn.
August Fono
Kia orana
Tena koutou
Ni sa bula
Talofa lava
Taloha ni
Fakaalofa lahi atu
Malo e lelei
Welcome to the after-match report from Banana Boat’s August fono in Grey Lynn.
Present were Grant Bayley, Bonnie, Kahurangi Carter, Teena Enoka, Rob Mokaraka, Leroy Lakamu, Tanya Muagututia, Claire Noble, Rick, Jonathan Riley, Shona Tarai, Leilani Unasa, David Mamea, and Jenni Heka.
Apologies were received from James Nokise, Louise Tu’u, Kahurangi Carter, Arnette Arapai, Aroha Awarau, Jason Greenwood, and Geraldine Warren.
BANANA BOAT BUSINESS
Jenni spread the word on the Asian Ink initiative.
COMING UP
Jonathan’s got fingers in all sorts of pies. I quickly lost track of what he’s going up so I suggest you just Facebook him.
The Pollywood 2012 submission deadline is Friday 31 August. Get shootin’, rockin’ and choppin’.
Kila Kokonut Krew’s tenth anniversary remounting of The Taro King is in its last days – matter of fact, it closes on Friday 24 August 2012.
Suli Moa‘s A Heart’s Path is going up in October.
SCRIPT READINGS
Leilani’s Church St was read by Rob, Jenni, Jonathan and Tanya, with script directions read by Kahurangi. Everyone wanted more; David whined that it was unfinished but was a sole voice of whiney-bitchiness. The group was heartened by the Q&A that followed and look forward to its next stage of development.
NEXT FONO
– will be on Thursday 27 September at the Toi Ora Live Art Studio, 6 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn.
July Fono
Malo e lelei
Kia orana
Tena koutou
Ni sa bula
Talofa lava
Taloha ni
Fakaalofa lahi atu
Welcome to the after-match report from Banana Boat’s July fono in Grey Lynn, which was very kindly run by Leilani Unasa.
Present were Arnette Arapai, Aroha Awarau, Grant Bayley, Jason Greenwood, David Mamea, Jenni Heka, Louise Tu’u, and Leilani.
Apologies were received from James Nokise, Kahurangi Carter, and Geraldine Warren.
BANANA BOAT BUSINESS
David apologised profusely to Arnette for not crediting her for running the previous month’s fono (the minutes have been very belatedly fixed). Just this once, she stayed her hand, and David understood just how lucky he was.
COMING UP
Enter the Banana winner Suli Moa‘s A Heart’s Path will have its world premiere in October as part of the 2012 Matala Tongan Festival. When we know more, you will know more.
Kila Kokonut Krew’s tenth anniversary remounting of The Taro King is due at the Mangere Arts Centre 16-21 August 2012.
Jenni, Louise and David reported on the reading of Goretti Chadwick’s Galulolo (Tsunami), which they attended earlier in the evening. Auckland Theatre Company will be be mounting Galulolo 11-20 October 2012.
SCRIPT READINGS
The July fono was just spoilt with not one but two readings: Aroha‘s short play, Poi; and Jason‘s short story, Mae. Man, we’re spoilt alright.
NEXT FONO
– will be on Thursday 23 August at the Toi Ora Live Art Studio, 6 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn.
June Fono
Ni sa bula
Taloha ni
Talofa lava
Fakaalofa lahi atu
Malo e lelei
Kia orana
Tena koutou
Welcome to the after-match report from Banana Boat’s June fono in Grey Lynn.
Present were GRANT BAYLEY, JENNI HEKA, SHONA TARAI, GERALDINE WARREN, LEILANI UNASA, and DAVID MAMEA.
Apologies were received from MAUREEN FEPULEA’I, CHRIS MOLLOY, JAMES NOKISE, ERIC SMITH, VENUS STEPHENS, and JASON TAOUMA.
Banana Boat Business
LEILANI was kind enough to take questions about Indigenous Theatre’s run of CHRIS MOLLOY’s The Last Taniwha. Her answers were enlightening.
JENNI was also kind enough to do a Q&A on Hekama Creative’s run of MICHAEL REWIRI-THORSEN’s Strong Hands. Her openness was appreciated.
VENUS STEPHEN’s monologue in the Matariki Festival’s Maori Monologues had a number of favourable mentions. Go Venus!
The next slew of Creative Clinics, Newbie Writers Workshop, and proposed Master Class are slated for the Southside Festival (previously the Manukau Festival) in September-October this year. Details will be advised closer to that time.
News to Use
The 2011 Survive + Thrive Forum is back, and on for one day only: Thursday 14 July. Book now or brace for disappointment.
Coming Up
LEILANI and JENNI are part of the Short + Sweet season. There are unconfirmed rumours that CHRIS MOLLOY and JONATHAN RILEY are also involved. Short + Sweet has been running since 5 July and runs this Saturday. Mark Saturday 16 July in your diaries. Go on. Now.
Auckland Theatre Company’s Young & Hungry season runs from 23 July to 6 August. Get inspired. Git.
SHONA TARAI, JONNY SAGALA, VENUS and LEILANI are part of an exhibition at the Fresh Gallery in Otara opening in either late July or early August. Peel your eyes.
Banana Boat has booked dates for some Christmas Cheer around late November to early December. Be afraid.
Script Reading
GRANT’s musical, “Earthquake Weather”, was read by those present, enjoyed, with feedback given to Grant for his consideration. Thanks, Grant – we look forward to the next draft.
Next Fono
– will be on THURSDAY 28 JULY 2011 at the Mangere Arts Centre, corner of Orly Avenue and Bader Drive, Mangere Town Centre.
“Strong Hands” – 15-17 June 2011, Auckland Town Hall
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.
April Fono
Kia orana
Tena koutou
Ni sa bula
Taloha ni
Talofa lava
Fakaalofa lahi atu
Malo e lelei
Welcome to the after-match report from Banana Boat’s April fono.
Present were GRANT BAYLEY, ANA CORBETT, JENNI HEKA, CHETAN PATEL, ERIC SMITH, VENUS SMITH, SHONA TARAI, LOUISE TU’U, LEILANI UNASA, GERALDINE WARREN, and DAVID MAMEA.
Apologies were received from a not-in-Aucks JAMES NOKISE.
Banana Boat Business
LEILANI proudly announced a Master Class with Kath Akuhata-Brown, to be held in June, made possible in partnership with the New Zealand Film Commission. Watch this space for more details.
News to Use
Playmarket are taking the New Writers and Creative Clinics workshops on the road. Check out their website for more information.
Banana Boat’s Matariki Creative Clinic is looking for some plays to develop. Think you’ve got what it takes? Deadline is 20 MAY 2011. The Clinic itself will be in June. See below for further details.
Playmarket’s Brown Ink initiative, previously the Pasifika and Maori development initiatives, is looking for submissions, due 08 JULY 2011. Get writing.
Coming Up
Correction: the rumour of LOUISE’s Le Tauvaga being mounted in May is untrue. Banana Boat apologises to Louise for the random-seeming queries stemming from last month’s minutes.
Banana Boat clinics are going two for two at this year’s Matariki in June:
– Creative Clinics, 11-12 June, with an evening presentation on Sunday the 12th;
– Newbies Workshop, 12 June.
And speaking of Matariki, two Banana Boat writers’ works will be on:
– CHRIS MOLLOY’s The Last Taniwha; and
– MICHAEL REWIRI-THORSEN’s Strong Hands.
The Creative Clinics will be travelling to the Hawkins Theatre in Papakura in September/October, dates and times to be advised closer to the time.
Banana Boat has already booked dates for some Christmas Cheer in late November, early December. Be afraid.
Writing Exercise
Again. Although it was called a fun activity in introduction, all meeting attendees saw right through that but humoured the creative spirit that is Banana Boat.
Script Reading
Taking a break this month. (And my apologies again to LEILANI for setting the April meeting a whole week earlier than the traditional “fourth Thursday of every month”.)
Next Fono
– will be on THURSDAY 26 19 MAY 2011 at the Mangere Arts Centre, Corner of Orly Avenue and Bader Drive, Mangere. Fono are currently alternating between Grey Lynn and Mangere.
March 2011 Fono
Malo e lelei
Kia orana
Tena koutou
Ni sa bula
Taloha ni
Talofa lava
Fakaalofa lahi atu
Welcome to the after-match report from Banana Boat’s first fono in Mangere, woot woot.
Present
– were GRANT BAYLEY, MAUREEN FEPULEA’I, JASON TAOUMA, LEILANI UNASA, GERALDINE WARREN, JENNI HEKA and DAVID MAMEA.
Apologies
– were received from a double-booked LOUISE TU’U and an otherwise engaged OLIVIA MULI’AUMASEALI’I.
Banana Boat Business
JENNI has, as previously threatened stated, officially stepped down as co-facilitator. LEILANI has taken up the reins. We expect JENNI to continue her attendance and, without the group coordinating/facilitating being in her way any more, finding the time to write the stories she’s been threatening to write since Banana Boat set sail.
MAUREEN was outed as being flown down to Wellington because she’d been shortlisted for one of the 2011 Adam New Zealand Awards. UPDATE: Maureen went on to win Best Play by Pasifika Playwright. Malo le galue, Maureen!
There was some discussion about Maureen’s experience about having her first play being workshopped, with LEILANI giving some insights into how the writer can fit in with the workshopping process.
UPDATE: Banana Boat has done it again with more creative clinics and a newbie workshop at 2011 Pasifika.
News to Use
Banana Boat’s Matariki Creative Clinic is looking for some plays to develop. Think you’ve got what it takes? Deadline is 20 MAY 2011. The Clinic itself will be in June. See below for further details.
Playmarket’s Brown Ink initiative, previously the Pasifika and Maori development initiatives, is looking for submissions, due 08 JULY 2011. Get writing.
Coming Up
There’s a rumour that LOUISE TU’U’s Le Tauvaga will be up in May. Go hassle her at We Should Practice for more details. Tell her Dave sent ya.
Banana Boat clinics will be going two for two at this year’s Matariki in June-July:
– Creative Clinics, 11-12 June, with an evening presentation on Sunday the 12th;
– Newbies Workshop, 12 June.
And speaking of Matariki, two Banana Boat writers’ works will be on:
– CHRIS MOLLOY’s The Last Taniwha; and
– MICHAEL REWIRI-THORSEN’s Strong Hands.
The Creative Clinics will be travelling to the Hawkins Theatre in Papakura in September/October, dates and times to be advised closer to the time.
Banana Boat has already booked dates for some Christmas Cheer in late November, early December. Be afraid.
Writing Exercise
At Someone’s insistence, those present were ambushed with a writing exercise. Here’s some parameters, Someone Else said. Now write a page of dialogue in fifteen minutes. And at the end of those fifteen minutes, a coup de grace: Now read it out loud.
I think it went something like that.
People didn’t walk out. Or spontaneously self-combust. Some even said it wasn’t too hard. They got some writing done, others said. People seemed to like it.
So it might even be done at the next meeting. But in a different form. Maybe.
Script Reading
— was provided by DAVID – another work in progress – and also in serious need of finishing. (He’s working on it. In between feeding his BPRD addiction.)
Next Fono
– will be on THURSDAY 21 APRIL 2011 at the Toi Ora Live Arts Trust, 6 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn. Future fono may alternate between Grey Lynn and Mangere. Watch this space.
November 2010 Fono
Talofa lava
Fakaalofa lahi atu
Malo e lelei
Kia orana
Tena koutou
Ni sa bula
Taloha ni
Welcome to another late after-match report – and the first 2011 Banana Boat broadside.
Present
– were AMBER ARANUI, GRANT BAYLEY, CLAIRE NOBLE, VENUS STEPHENS, GERALDINE WARREN, STAN WOLFGRAMM, JENNI HEKA and DAVID MAMEA.
Apologies
– were received from LEILANI UNASA, CHRIS MOLLOY, ERIC SMITH and DANNY AUMUA.
Banana Boat Business
There was a gentle reminder for the Brown Ink sessions – okay, they were generous exhortations. JENNI tempted those present with the promise of Heka Catering putting on the Brown Ink feed.
News to Use
The GRANT BAYLEY LIBRARY is as follows:
– The Best Plays of 1969-1970 – Otis L Guernsey, editor
– Curtain Times: The New York Theatre 1965-1987 – Otis L Guernsey Jr
– Five New Zealand Plays – John Thomson, editor
– Jumpers – Tom Stoppard
– My Best Play – a self-selected anthology that includes Noel Coward, Somerset Maugham, AA Milne
– Objection Overruled – Carolyn Burns
– Two Plays by Tom Stoppard: Every Good Boy Deserves Favour, and Professional Foul – Tom Stoppard
A webpage will be set aside for this library.
Coming Up
2011 is shaping up to another bumper year for Banana Boat and its yet-unnamed sibling organisation/production-unit. What else did you expect us to say: Watch this space.
Assuming someone (cough) is organised enough, it’s hoped that the February 2011 fono will be held in South Auckland.
Script Reading
GRANT shared a five-minute monologue that emotionally affected all present – technical discussions almost seemed like an insult but it’s one thing to share within a group, and another to share with a cold audience. The Banana Boat always wants its writers to put their best jandle forward ’cause it’s what we do.
Next Fono
– will be on THURSDAY 27 JANUARY 2011 at the usual time and place. This will be the first fono for 2011.