Overview
Manawa Ora: Hope for a Generation is ten artists paired with ten kids for ten days of intensive creative workshopping. The outcome is a unique evening of performing arts, as the mentored teens deliver a piece of music, theatre, spoken word or visual art developed over the course of the workshops.
Nga Rangatahi Toa, the creative arts initiative which mentors marginalised Auckland youth, develops this annual programme. Each performer is at a varying stage in their relationship with Nga Rangatahi Toa; some are considered young leaders within the initiative’s community; others are taking the first steps along their journey. This season is themed around ‘Hope for a Generation’ – a positive outlook for Auckland’s at-risk youth and their communities. Ultimately, each mentoring partnership looks to confront, challenge and channel the experiences of each individual into a constructive performance which shares both the wins and adversities faced in their daily lives.
Those guiding the youth hail from a broad spectrum of New Zealand's performing arts, including Anika Moa, Jess Hansell (aka Coco Solid), Teuila Blakely, Dominic Hoey (aka Tourettes) and Aroha White. Check out the event programme to gain background on the performers, the life events and attitudes which brought them to Nga Rangatahi Toa and what they are gaining through participation in the Manawa Ora initiative.
Image courtesy of One Percent Collective.