Welcome to the Pasifika Playwrights Group.
Our second meeting was held on Thursday, 25 September, and was a great success. Highlights included:
– Tarisi Vunidilo from Creative New Zealand (CNZ) gave us a talk on increasing the chances of getting CNZ funding, as well as about changes to the funding rounds to be implemented in 2009;
– Jenni Heka from Playmarket challenged the group to come up with three production-ready plays, and three reading-ready plays by September 2009 (see below for her Agenda);
– facilitator David Mamea laid down some ground rules for the group like “Thou shalt check thine ego at the door” and “Critique the work, not the writer”;
– Stan Wolfgramm of Drum Productions provided a producer’s insight into getting Pasifika stories Out There;
– Arnette Arapai told everyone to get off their arses and Just Do It;
– all of which was discussed, digested and enjoyed by Fasitua Amosa, Fiona Collins, Glen Compain, Michelle Johansson, Bronwyn Judd, Chetan Patel, Jonathan Riley, Eric Smith, Nina Tapu and Victoria Schmidt.
It was agreed – in principle, and to be formalised at the next meeting – that the Pasifika Playwrights Group will develop members’ writing, with the goal of putting on The Banana Boat Season – a season of Pasifika plays and readings in late 2009.
How will the group do this? Through monthly meetings where the following will happen:
– a practitioner will talk to the group about their experience, give advice and – most importantly – provide inspiration;
– general discussion of what the guest speaker had to say;
– and workshopping and/or exercises to stimulate, develop and inspire our own writing.
Sounds like a motto for the group: Develop – Support – Inspire. All we need now is a cooler name than ‘Pasifika Playwrights Group’ – all suggestions welcome, to be tossed about and voted on in the next couple of meetings.
NEXT MEETING will be on THURSDAY, 23 OCTOBER 2008 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. The location will be advised closer to the date.
And now for a word from our sponsor:
JENNI’S WORD!
Wow, did I leave the meeting last week motivated and inspired. I even started writing! Which is no small feat for me as I normally find every excuse under the sun to not even get started!
Things really got animated when David Mamea bravely put the opening scene for his play on the table for the group to discuss! Fiona Collins and Jonathan Riley have both offered to bring in their work to be discussed and/or workshopped for the next meeting on the 23rd October!
I have been filling in the rest of the Playmarket team about what we have been up to here in Auckland, and they are excited and can’t wait to see what we produce for the Banana Boat Season.
Yes, I have an agenda. My role as Maori and Pasifika Playwright Development Coordinator is to encourage and help our playwrights develop their skills. The Pasifika Playwrights Group has been formed to motivate, inspire and give playwrights the opportunity to develop. I also threw down the challenge for the group to have three fully developed works for production by September 2009. The first step is bring in your work so we can start workshopping. Tell me what you need and I will try to get those experts in to help.
I am currently talking to The Edge to have our meetings permanently hosted there. Watch this space for confirmation.
Look forward to seeing you at the next meeting on the 23rd October 2008!
Jenni Heka
Maori and Pasifika Playwright Development Coordinator
Playmarket
Thanks, Jenni!
