Calling all professional performers who would be interested in auditioning for an original New Zealand show based on the life of Maui, which we hope to stage in May next year. In particular, we invite you to join us for some free training/workshops in Wellington and Auckland to help prepare you for our auditions in December. Calling all professional performers who would be interested in auditioning for an original New Zealand show based on the life of Maui, which we hope to stage in May next year. In particular, we invite you to join us for some free training/workshops in Wellington and Auckland to help prepare you for our auditions in December.We give details of that training below, plus tell you a little more about the show we're planning.

If you're interested in registering for the training, please email production manager Clare Needham (clare@teaomarama.com) or phone her (04 976 2651 or 021 237 7811).

MAUI

The show is a large-scale evening-length production that combines Maori culture with breath-taking aerial displays to perform the legends of Maui as they have never been seen before. The production will include 20 performers plus 2 swings. Cast members are variously required to have skills in kapa haka, acting, contemporary dance, 'flying', circus aerials and character work.

We are looking for professional performers who can help us realize our vision and contribute to making Maui a world-wide commercial theatre success. Well developed skills in at least one of the disciplines listed above is essential.

BACKGROUND

We have already produced a 40-minute pilot presentation in February 2003, which played to full houses and won 3 NZ Fringe Awards. Now, we're planning to perform the world premiere in Wellington's Westpac St James Theatre from 25 May-5 June 2005. These performances will be followed by another season in Auckland and possibly other dates around New Zealand. The aim is to develop a world-class production that we can export to London's West End, where we hope to perform 8 shows a week for 2 years or more.

PRODUCTION TEAM

The production team is lead by Artistic Director, Tanemahuta Gray and Creative Producer, Andre Anderson. We have just finished writing the fourth draft of the full show, which we have sent to dramaturges Hone Kouka and Philippa Campbell for their professional input. On other creative fronts, we are talking with Gareth Farr (composer), Richard Nunns (traditional Maori instruments), Elizabeth Whiting (costumes), John Verryt (set design), and Merenia Gray (choreographer) with a view to building a strong production team.

WELLINGTON KAPA HAKA

On the weekends of 25-26 September and 16-17 October we are holding wananga to develop the show's kapa haka. The wananga are free, but we ask everyone to bring shared kai to sustain us over the 2 days. The first wananga will be held at Te Herenga Waka marae at Victoria University and the second at Taputeranga marae in Island Bay. Each wananga will start at 10am on the Saturday and end at 5pm on the Sunday.

AUCKLAND AERIAL TRAINING

We are offering free aerial training at The Auckland Performing Arts Centre (Studio 2) in Western Springs from 1-26 November. The training doubles as a 4 week audition process for the aerial roles in the show. Those interested in auditioning for these roles do not need any aerial experience. However, they must either be trained kapa haka performers, contemporary dancers, or actors who can move.

Aerial training will be held during the day, either 9.30am-1.15pm or 12 noon-3.45pm. Successful trainees will be expected to attend a morning or afternoon session once or twice a week for the 4 weeks of training.

We are opening the first week of training (from Monday 1 November) to anyone who wishes to audition for the aerial roles in the show. During that week, we will select those who show the most potential to continue with more intensive aerial training over the following three weeks.

Everyone who undertakes our aerial training must also attend the kapa haka training/workshops, which form part of each aerial training session (see below).

Be quick, as there are only 45 places available in this first week of training.

AUCKLAND KAPA HAKA TRAINING

From 1-26 November we are also offering free kapa haka training/workshops to any professional performers who wish to participate. The sessions are from 12-1.15pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at The Auckland Performing Arts Centre (Studio 2).

Those performers who are not selected for more aerial training are still welcome to attend the ongoing free kapa haka classes. Equally, those who don't want to audition for the aerial roles are also welcome to attend the free kapa haka classes.

AUCKLAND WEEKEND WANANGA

In addition to the classes during the week, we are also holding a kapa haka wananga on the weekend of 20-21 November. This weekend is open to any professional performers who wish to participate, regardless of whether you have attended the aerial training or other kapa haka sessions.

AUDITIONS FOR NON-AERIAL ROLES

Auditions for non-aerial roles will be held in both Wellington (11-14 December) and Auckland (16-19 December). If necessary, recalls will be held in January.

PRODUCTION DATES

At this stage, we are planning for rehearsals to begin as early as 21 March 2005 and last 9-10 weeks until opening night in Wellington on 25 May. Rehearsals will begin with 2 weeks of intensive kapa haka work. Those with strong kapa haka experience will act as leaders and coaches for those who need to improve.

We strongly believe that, if we can combine all these skills together as a whanau, we will stage a production that will succeed in the commercial theatre industry.

Finally we would like to extend our huge appreciation to Te Waka Toi (Creative New Zealand) who are providing funding support for the aerial and kapa haka training in Wellington and Auckland this year.

Come join the hikoi!

Me piki ake taatou i teenei maunga teitei.

Arohanui,

Tanemahuta Gray
Artistic Director