Tag Archives: Shona Tarai

August Fono

23/08/2012Boat Business, TheatreA Heart's Path, Asian Ink, Bonnie, Church St, Claire Noble, D F Mamea, Grant Bayley, Jenni Heka, Jonathan Riley, Kahurangi Carter, Leilani Unasa, Leroy Lakamu, Pollywood, Rick, Rob Mokaraka, Shona Tarai, Suli Moa, Tanya Muagututia, Teena Enoka, The Taro KingThe Administrative Banana

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.

June Fono

12/07/2011Boat Business, TheatreD F Mamea, Earthquake Weather, Geraldine Warren, Grant Bayley, Jenni Heka, Leilani Unasa, Maori Monologues, Shona Tarai, Strong Hands, The Last Taniwha, Venus StephenThe Administrative Banana

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.

April Fono

02/05/2011Boat BusinessAna Corbett, Chetan Patel, D F Mamea, Eric Smith, Geraldine Warren, Grant Bayley, Jenni Heka, Leilani Unasa, Louise Tu'u, Shona Tarai, Venus StephensThe Administrative Banana

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.

August 2010 Fono

11/10/2010Boat Business, TheatreAhi Karunaharan, Apeshit, Chetan Patel, Chris Molloy, D F Mamea, Danny Aumua, Geraldine Warren, Grant Bayley, Jenni Heka, Leilani Unasa, Maria, Michael Rwiri-Thorsen, Michelle Johansson, Murray Lynch, Natano Keni, Sarita So, Shona Tarai, Stuart Hoar, Venus StephensThe Administrative Banana

Ni sa bula
Taloha ni
Talofa lava
Fakaalofa lahi atu
Malo e lelei
Kia orana
Tena koutou

Welcome to an egregiously late after-match report.

Although ‘upcoming events’ in the minutes below are long past, ‘recording for posterity’ is a great stick to wave about when memory, inevitably, fails.

Present

– were DANNY AUMUA, GRANT BAYLEY, STUART HOARE, MICHELLE JOHANSSON, AHI KARUNAHARAN, NATANO KENI, MURRAY LYNCH, MARIA, CHRIS MOLLOY, CHETAN PATEL, MICHAEL REWIRI-THORSEN, SARITA SO, VENUS STEPHENS, SHONA TARAI, LEILANI UNASA, GERALDINE WARREN, JENNI HEKA and DAVID MAMEA.

Apologies

– were received from WILL ILOLAHIA, OLE MAIAVA, ERIC SMITH and JAY WILLIAMS.

Banana Boat Business

Banana Boat has been running for two years now. It has reached a point where it must decide what to do:
– to continue as a writers support group;
– to expand or somehow split off into active development and production;
– to find some middle ground; or
– to fold.

The decision is always in the hands of its members.

To this end, an AGM-style meeting is called for October for the group to discuss its future.

News to Use

JENNI plugged the Playmarket Aotearoa/Pasifika Playwrights Competition.

She also gave a gentle reminder about the final in the Playmarket Metro Reading series, Massive Theatre’s in-development Lenny James’ Havoc in the Garden.

LEILANI has been scheming about fundraising along the lines of a charity auction called Hot Chocolate Specials. Exactly what is on the auction block is still to be discussed but the possibilities are intriguing. Get those imaginations working.

It was agreed that the next meeting be held somewhere in South Auckland in recognition of a sizable proportion of the group hailing from down yonder. Details to follow.

Coming Up

JONATHAN RILEY is one of the writers involved with the Stir Fry series.

CHETAN PATEL and ERIC SMITH’s Retro Club Night fundraiser for their I Don’t Do Coconut play is on Friday 5 November at the Pull Bar on Karangahape Road.

Script Reading

LEILANI very generously shared her current script, “Apeshit”, which has been through a Banana Boat workshop earlier in the year. Its concepts and characterisations challenged and drove the group discussion that followed.

Next Meeting

– will be on THURSDAY 23 SEPTEMBER at a South Auckland venue to be arranged.

– will be on THURSDAY 28 OCTOBER at the usual time and place.

July 2010 Fono

15/08/2010Boat BusinessD F Mamea, Eric Smith, Geraldine Warren, Grant Bayley, Jenni Heka, Ole Maiava, Shona Tarai, Stan Wolfgramm, Venus StephensThe Administrative Banana

Kia orana
Tena koutou
Ni sa bula
Taloha ni
Talofa lava
Fakaalofa lahi atu
Malo e lelei

Welcome to the very late after-match report.

Present

— were GRANT BAYLEY, OLE MAIAVA, ERIC SMITH, VENUS STEPHENS, SHONA TARAI, GERALDINE WARREN, STAN WOLFGRAMM, JENNI HEKA and DAVID MAMEA.

Apologies

– were received from LOUISE TU’U, WILL ILOLAHIA, JAY WILLIAMS, CHETAN PATEL and LEILANI UNASA.

News to Use

JUKEBOX SELECTOR was a success with great feedback and $800 dollars raised towards the Jukebox season. Another one of these is in the works so watch those Inboxes and cellphones.

Any day now, David will resume development of the Jukebox short plays. Any day now.

Coming Up

WORKSHOPS Workshops and More Damned Workshops are coming, including one on 19-20 NOVEMBER which will very likely be tied in with Jukebox. More details to follow.

MICHAEL REWIRI-THORSEN’s “Strong Hands” will be mounted with a lo-fi vibe at the Pull Bar in the first week of December.

The LOCK-IN WORKSHOP will take place in early 2011. Three days, two nights, no mod-cons or KFC within walking distance – be very careful what you register for.

LOUISE TU’U’s “Le Tauvaga” is having its reading as part of the Playmarket Metro series on THURSDAY 20 AUGUST, 7pm at the Metro Theatre, Mangere.

Script Reading

— did not happen because DAVID facilitated a group exercise showing them first hand the triumphs and tribulations of writing by committee. There was laughter, discussion, negotiation, compromise and a whole lot of imagination running hot-damned-hot.

Next Meeting

— is THURSDAY 26 AUGUST 2010 at the usual time and place.

May 2010 Fono

15/06/2010Boat Business, TheatreAhi Karunaharan, Chetan Patel, D F Mamea, Eric Smith, James Wilson, Jenni Heka, Johnny Sagala, Leilani Unasa, Miria George, Ole Maiava, Richard Foulkes, Sarita So, Shona Tarai, Venus Stephens, Zora FeiloThe Administrative Banana

Malo e lelei
Kia orana
Tena koutou
Ni sa bula
Taloha ni
Talofa lava
Fakaalofa lahi atu

Welcome to the very late after-match report.

Present

— were ZORA FEILO, RICHARD FOULKES, MIRIA GEORGE, AHI KARUNAHARAN, OLE MAIAVA, CHETAN PATEL, JOHN SAGALA, ERIC SMITH, SARITA SO, VENUS STEPHENS, SHONA TARAI, LEILANI UNASA, JAMES WILSON, JENNI HEKA and DAVID MAMEA.

Apologies

– were received from JASON GREENWOOD, JONATHAN P RILEY and LOUISE TU’U.

News to Use

MIRIA – another Writers Block stalwart from Wellington – was warmly welcomed (along with fellow newbies and first-timers, and she brought warm greetings and tidings from down the line.

David updated the group on progress with the JUKEBOX SEASON. Congratulations to those who were selected for development.

UPDATE: Due to not receiving a Creative New Zealand grant this round , it has been agreed with The Edge that the Jukebox season is not viable this year. Being a Polynesian project, it is typically hard to kill. Moves are a-jandle to mount it later in the year. Watch this corner of the boat.

Coming Up

Briar Grace-Smith’s Purapurawhetu – which JENNI HEKA has been full-on busy with lately – will be at the Hawkins Theatre in Papakura from 16-18 June.

MICHAEL REWIRI-THORSEN’s Strong Hands has its reading at the Metro Theatre in Mangere on 17 June.

There’s a MATARIKI INDIGENOUS PEOPLES THEATRE HUI in Wellington 24-26 June. For more details, go to Tawata.

The MANUKAU CREATIVE CLINICS will be taking place on 1-2 July.

Script Reading

DAVID dusted off some old scripts – another television pilot, and a feature script – for the meeting attendees’ entertainment. One was stodgy. One was a howl – though that was largely due to RICHARD’s reading voice.

Next Meeting

— is THURSDAY 24 JUNE 2010 at the usual time and place.

April 2010 Fono

10/05/2010Boat Business, TheatreChetan Patel, Chris Molloy, D F Mamea, Eric Smith, Jason Greenwood, Jay Williams, Johnny Sagala, Jonathan Riley, Leilani Unasa, Michael Rewiri-Thorsen, Rashmi Pilapitiya, Shona Tarai, Venus StephensThe Administrative Banana

Fakaalofa lahi atu
Malo e lelei
Kia orana
Tena koutou
Ni sa bula
Taloha ni
Talofa lava

Welcome to the after-match report.

Present

— were JASON GREENWOOD, CHRIS MOLLOY, CHETAN PATEL, RASHMI PILAPITIYA, MICHAEL REWIRI-THORSEN, JONATHAN RILEY, JOHNNY SAGALA, ERIC SMITH, VENUS STEPHENS, SHONA TARAI, LEILANI UNASA, JAY WILLIAMS and DAVID MAMEA.

Apologies

– were received from REVEREND MUA PUA, JAMES NOKISE, STAN WOLFGRAMM and JENNI HEKA.

News to Use

The Producers Workshop was judged a success, equipping attendees with the knowledge to take their scripts to stage. Feedback included “a good, fantastic workshop”, “maybe it could be a bit more practical”, and “[that there was] so much information it could easily have been three days”. A workshop-crashing JONATHAN was grateful for the good feed put on my the multi-talented Matene Karena. Something to be made available to Banana Boat’s target communities in 2011.

Coming Up

The Jukebox 2010 Season call-out has come and gone.

Anyone who takes their writing seriously are urged to attend the Wellington Matariki Hui which will take place sometime in June – details to follow, probably from JENNI.

To help defray travel costs for the abovementioned Hui, there will be some Fundraising in the throes of organisation by MICHAEL. Beware your Inboxes. Book some wallet- and purse-space.

Banana Boat is taking its Creative Clinics to Manukau on 1-2 July 2010. Watch your email Inboxes and ready your Forward-ing fingers.

Script Reading

— was replaced by dissection and discussion of a couple of two-minute scenes. Questions and answers flowed, including: How much information can you fit into dialogue without boring your audience to tears? More than you think. How much character can you show through action and with no dialogue? You’d be surprised.

DAVID then facilitated a session of spitballing ideas and methods of execution with the opening words, “I’ve got this idea for a project…” Possibly not as satisfying as his January foray because the project under discussion was at a very early conceptual stage. He should stop doing this as there are all sorts of intellectual property issues waiting to ambush him down the track. Unless of course he made the project up on the night and the whole thing was just, like, an exercise.

Next Meeting

— is THURSDAY 27 MAY 2010 at the usual time and place.