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Our Playwrights in Your School

OUR PLAYWRIGHTS IN YOUR SCHOOL is a new educational scheme put it to place in 2009 by Playmarket Inc

This programme was initiated due to the overwhelming feedback from teachers that there was not enough background information on our playwrights and their plays and therefore hindered their students learning outcomes.

So in direct response to that feedback our programme was started. The scheme has the playwright go into the drama class and talk with students who are studying their play. Any information they need to know on themes/background/original production etc comes straight from the person who wrote the play.

The real advantages to this scheme are intangible but the purposes of OUR PLAYWRIGHTS IN YOUR SCHOOL are threefold

1. Nurture the future playwrights/actors/theatre-goers of NZ

2. Support the selfless people who teach them and

3. Validate our playwrights’ work

However, the benefits have exceeded expectations and our visits have shown that the students take real ownership of their work after meeting the playwright and their enthusiasm and passion is amplified. The outcomes of these visits also have touched the parents and communities of the students, an unexpected and unplanned bonus for our playwrights and staff.

Testimonials

Oscar Kightley (NIU SILA) to Sancta Maria College

Drama Teacher: Verna Lee Oliver & her Yr 11 and Yr 13 drama students.

Testimonials from the drama teacher Verna-lee Olivier and a student: “Oscar Kightley inspired me to continue on in my future in acting, he helped me to see that being an actor isn’t the easy job it seems to be, it’s a job that requires you to go out and make your own work if you are planning to be successful in life. He also taught me that acting isn’t all about being loud and ‘out there’ but is about listening to directors, producers and teachers, and wanting the criticism given by your audience and director so you can learn how to make your performance better.” Ellen Field, Year 12 Drama

“I am extremely grateful to Playmarket who made it possible and the entire process really easy, for us to have Oscar Kightley visit. My students are still on a high and feel really special that he came to spend this time with them. It is important for me that my students meet and are exposed to meeting industry specialists. This opens their minds to all possibilities and makes them realise that even the success stories, are human stories and stories that they can write for themselves and their own lives. Thanks a million.” Mrs Oliver

Oscar Kightley (FRESH OFF THE BOAT) to St Mary’s Ponsonby

Drama Teacher: Karen Ashton & her Yr 13 Drama Students

Testimonial from the drama teacher Karen Ashton: The year 13 Drama class were in the initial stages of their Achievement Standard 3.5, production of 'Fresh off the Boat'. During this time we were given the fabulous opportunity to interview one of the playwrights, Oscar Kightley. An NCEA requirement for this standard is to research the play, requiring students to "...gather background material from both primary and secondary sources to inform the performance or technical/production role.' (Quoted from NCEA, Drama Achievement Standard 90611) As a teacher, I felt that this was an excellent, one off opportunity for students to gather information from a primary source.

The students were extremely excited and positive about meeting such a successful playwright. The interview was very informative and invaluable to the students learning and gave a real enthusiasm to the group about producing this play. We have used the information gathered in the interview as part of the research of the play and the students are continuing to remain focussed during their rehearsals.

Yours sincerely

Karen Ashton

Fiona Farrell (CHOOK CHOOK) to Hillmorton High

Drama Teacher: Learne McArthur & her Drama Students:

Testimonial From Learne McArthur: We were visited by Fiona Farrell during term two. It was a very positive and useful experience for my students and myself. Not only were the students, who were performing one of her plays, able to put a face to the script, they also gained invaluable insight into the authorial intent of the piece directly from the 'horses mouth'. This supported their achievement in the performance standard they were being assessed in (particularly the Y13's who are required to research the play as well as the authors background)

Fiona's time was inspirational. I watched one boy, a gifted but unconventional learner, shine more and more brightly as he took on Fiona's 'DIY' philosophy about theatre. To be told that the most important thing is to 'do' theatre, with or without the sanction of training, was liberating for him.

Alternatively, another student fed back to me that she felt empowered by the knowledge that Fiona had come to writing later in the piece and that all of your life experience combines to bring you to your goals and ambitions. She was impressed by the variety of experiences Fiona described. I think the strongest and most valuable message that came through for my students were one of ' just do it, don't wait for permission'.

Fiona quickly established a warm and easy rapport with my students. They paid attention because her message was relevant and credible. It also gave them a sense of belonging to a community that extended beyond themselves and their school. They were a part of the arts community.

I would recommend the practise of bringing writers and performers into schools emphatically. The pay off on an intellectual, emotional and aspirational level cannot be underestimated.

Learne McArthur, TIC Drama, Hillmorton High School

Oscar Kightley (DAWN RAIDS) to Mt Roskill Grammar School

Drama Teacher: Jay Howard & 13PFA Drama Students:

Feedback from the drama teacher Jay Howard: Kia Ora. The visit was awesome. Oscar and Jenni were brilliant. The kids got so much out of it. They were both open and honest and more importantly "REAL" for the students. I really appreciate them taking the time and effort to speak with the class. We now have a much better insight into the play's context and the characters and there is a real buzz about working with the script.

Thanks for hooking us up with such an epic opportunity.
"J" and 13PFA

Briar Grace-Smith (When Sun and Moon Collide) to Aotea College

Drama Teacher: Tiffany Franks & Yr 12 Drama Students:

My fabulous Year 12 Drama class was nearing the end of the rehearsal process for their production of When Sun and Moon Collide by Briar Grace-Smith. A friend had suggested that I contact Playmarket to see if I could get in touch with Briar as he knew she lived locally. My initial response to this was “Na your dreaming mate! They’ll be too busy and she’ll be too busy.” But upon contacting Playmarket I was told about their “OUR PLAYWRIGHTS IN YOUR SCHOOLS” programme and I received an email from the lovely Pania just about every day until we had locked in a day for Briar to come in. My students really stepped things up a notch when they heard Briar was coming in to watch their dress rehearsal and having her visit at this time was hugely beneficial and exciting for them all. She breezed in right on time to catch the end of their first run which was followed by a lovely informal question time. The kids were all fully engaged and they were able to get a lot off their chests in terms of questions that I was not able to answer. Here’s one cute comment:

We all had the privilege of meeting Briar Grace-Smith whose feedback helped us to understand the play and also the characters more. Robert Chivers (Year 12 Drama, Aotea College, 2009)

Following the Q+A they then launched into their dress-rehearsal and it was obvious the discussion with Briar had made a massive difference. Thank-you so much Playmarket, Pania, and Briar for all your help making this possible for me and my students. They won’t forget it and neither will I.

Tiffany Franks – TIC Drama, Aotea College, 2009.

Playwrights currently available:

* Oscar Kightley Akld

* Gary Henderson Akld

* Pip Hall Akld

* Albert Belz Akld

* Kerry Lynch Akld

* Briar Grace Smith Wgtn

* Hone Kouka Wgtn

* David Geary Wgtn

* Dave Armstrong Wgtn

* Jo Randerson Wgtn

* Fiona Farrell Chch

* Victor Rodger Chch

* Carl Nixon Chch

But should there be a demand for another one of our clients, Playmarket would certainly investigate their availability to visit any school in their region.

Need more information?

Contact Pania Stevenson in the Wellington Playmarket office

Email: info@playmarket.org.nz

Phone: 04 382 8462 xtn 4