Banana Boat

NEXT FONO: Thursday 24 November 2011

2011-11-23T19:15:00.001+13:00

The next fono is this THURSDAY, 24 NOVEMBER 2011 from 7PM TO 9PM. It will be held at the TOI ORA LIVE ART STUDIO, 6 PUTIKI STREET, GREY LYNN.Yep, that's TOMORROW.The agenda for the November fono is as follows:- news to use;- and the usual script reading and discussion.(One hundredth post! Woot!)

GreyView's "I Don't Do Coconut" World Premiere

2011-11-06T23:01:00.002+13:00

Woot!

Banana Boaters wearing their Banana Boat tee get in on concession pricing!

More information here!

Three nights only: Monday 7 November to Wednesday 9 November, 7:30pm each night.

NEXT FONO: Thursday 27 October 2011

2011-10-25T20:49:00.002+13:00

The next fono is this THURSDAY, 27 OCTOBER 2011 from 7PM TO 9PM. It will be held at the TOI ORA LIVE ART STUDIO, 6 PUTIKI STREET, GREY LYNN.

My sincere apologies for the late notice - if I were to blame the RWC
I'd be baldfaced LYING.

The agenda for the October fono is as follows:
- news to use;
- and the usual script reading and discussion.

September Fono

2011-09-23T09:50:00.000+12:00

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

Welcome to an astoundingly timely after-match report from Banana Boat's September fono in Grey Lynn.

Present were GRANT BAYLEY, SEI KOSUGI, GERALDINE WARREN, and DAVID MAMEA.

Apologies were received from an otherwise-committed ANOUSHKA KLAUS, a South-bound LEILANI UNASA, and a whanau-fettered JENNI HEKA.

SEI KOSUGI --

-- was welcomed to the fono in typical Banana Boat style. She is an associate professor who teaches Pacific Literature at Osaka University, Japan. Thanks for joining us tonight, Sei!

BANANA BOAT BUSINESS

DAVID reported on the progress of Banana Boat becoming a trust, and all the trusty-goodness this will offer its members.

There was also an announcement that the declining attendance numbers have not gone unnoticed but that the fono will continue onwards under the lone guidance of David, but with support from Leilani and Jenni. Speaking of Leilani and Jenni, they have stepped back from the monthly meetings due to ongoing commitments but are still Bananas par excellence - read further for what they're working on.

There will be more to Banana Boat than the monthly fono: there will be something put in place for those members who are beyond the monthly hang-outs but still needing someTHING to get their projects to The Next Level. The Boat is here to help. Watch this space.

NEWS TO USE

No news to use this month.

COMING UP

A Banana Boat workshop has been scheduled for 26 NOVEMBER. Brace for impact.

SCRIPT READING

A script exercise was sprung on attendees: here's a narrative of a couple's typical day.

What a yawner.

Make it interesting!

NEXT FONO

- will be on THURSDAY 27 OCTOBER 2011, at the TOI ORA LIVE ART STUDIO, 6 PUTIKI STREET, GREY LYNN.

NEXT FONO: Thursday 22 September 2011

2011-09-16T12:13:00.000+12:00

The next fono is this THURSDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER 2011 from 7PM TO 9PM. It will be held at the TOI ORA LIVE ART STUDIO, 6 PUTIKI STREET, GREY LYNN. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SEPTEMBER FONO IS IN GREY LYNN, *NOT* IN MANGERE AS HAS BEEN BANDIED ABOUT PREVIOUSLY.

The agenda for the September fono is as follows:
- news to use;
- and the usual script reading and discussion.

August Fono

2011-09-16T12:04:00.000+12:00

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

Welcome to another late after-match report from Banana Boat's August fono in Grey Lynn.

Present were GRANT BAYLEY, ANOUSHKA KLAUS, VENUS STEPHENS, and DAVID MAMEA.

Apologies were received from an Edinburgh-sited JAMES NOKISE, a whanau-swamped JENNI HEKA, an otherwise-committed GERALDINE WARREN, and a South-bound LEILANI UNASA.

BANANA BOAT BUSINESS

No Banana Boat business news this month.

NEWS TO USE

Playmarket writing clinics are to take place in Wellington and Christchurch in the near future - check the Playmarket website for more information.

There's a women playwright's conference in Sweden later in the year - the deadline for application is October. For more information, ask Leilani.

COMING UP

[Due to the lateness of this report, the events have come and gone - but they will always be in the memories of Those Who Were There.]

SCRIPT READING

A script exercise was sprung on attendees: here's a scene from a well-loved Aotearoa TV-show - fix it!

NEXT FONO

- will be on THURSDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2011 at the Toi Ora Live Art Studio, 6 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SEPTEMBER FONO IS IN GREY LYNN, *NOT* IN MANGERE.

July Fono

2011-08-18T21:00:00.001+12:00

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

Welcome to the super-late after-match report from Banana Boat's July fono in Mangere Town Centre.

Present were GRANT BAYLEY, MAUREEN FEPULEA'I, GERALDINE WARREN, LEILANI UNASA, and DAVID MAMEA.

Apologies were received from JAMES NOKISE, ERIC SMITH, and JENNI HEKA.

BANANA BOAT BUSINESS

No Banana Boat business news this month.

Although there is a demand (the noun, not the verb) for master classes in Auckland.

NEWS TO USE

Playmarket's Brown Ink initiative is still considering the scripts to push to the next level.

Playmarket writing clinics are to take place in Wellington and Christchurch in the near future - check the Playmarket website for more information.

There's a women playwright's conference in Sweden later in the year - the deadline for application is October. For more information, ask Leilani.

Lo - there's a Maori and Pasifika film writers support group that meets on Monday evenings, from 6pm to 8pm in Galatos Street (in a building, of course). For more details, contact Rob Williams via Leilani.

COMING UP

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.

MAUREEN's award-winning "E Ono Tama'i Pato" is having a reading tour!
- Goodman Fielder Room, Aotea Centre - 31 October @ 7pm;
- Corbans Estate Art Centre, Henderson - 1 November @ 7pm;
- Papakura Art Gallery, Papakura - 2 November @ 7pm;
- Te Papa Museum, Wellington - 3 November, time TBC.

Banana Boat has booked dates for some Christmas Cheer around late November to early December. Be afraid.

SCRIPT READING

DAVID dusted off a short script, having been inspired/reminded by Grant's script reading last month. It needs a lot of work.

NEXT FONO

- will be on THURSDAY 18 AUGUST 2011 at the Toi Ora Live Art Studio, 6 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn.

NEXT FONO: Thursday 18 August 2011

2011-08-15T23:40:00.000+12:00

The next fono is this THURSDAY, 18 AUGUST 2011 from 7PM TO 9PM. It will be held at the TOI ORA LIVE ART STUDIO, 6 PUTIKI STREET, GREY LYNN.

The agenda for the August fono is as follows:
- news to use;
- and the usual script reading and discussion.

NEXT FONO: Thursday 28 July 2011

2011-07-23T13:10:00.002+12:00

The next fono is this THURSDAY, 28 JULY 2011 from 7PM TO 9PM. It will be held at the MANGERE ARTS CENTRE, CORNER OF ORLY AVENUE AND BADER DRIVE, MANGERE TOWN CENTRE.

The agenda for the July fono is as follows:
- news to use;
- and the usual script reading and discussion.

June Fono

2011-07-12T22:00:00.000+12:00

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.

Playmarket Brown Ink Clinics - Call for Submissions - Deadline 8th July 2011

2011-06-27T21:56:00.001+12:00

Playmarket is committed to supporting Maori and Pasifika playwrights. Our Brown Ink development programme in 2010 was very successful. Both the works selected for development were later honoured in the 2011 Adam New Zealand Play Awards.

We invite all Maori and Pasifika playwrights in Auckland to submit new and original work for Brown Ink. The winning scripts will receive - one-to-one script advice & a full day clinic with a script advisor /director and actors .

Criteria

- New and original unproduced script
- Must be a complete full draft with
o Synopsis
o List of all characters
o All pages numbered
o Playwright’s contact details

Submission Deadline – July 8th. To enter email: jenni@playmarket.org.nz
For more details call Jenni Heka – Maori and Pasifika Advisor 09 365 2648

NEXT FONO: Thursday 30 June

2011-06-24T10:26:00.000+12:00

The next fono is this THURSDAY, 30 JUNE 2011 from 7PM TO 9PM. It will be held at the TOI ORA LIVE ART STUDIO, 6 PUTIKI STREET, GREY LYNN.

The agenda for the June fono is as follows:
- news to use;
- and the usual script reading and discussion.

"The Last Taniwha" - 23-25 June 2011, Mangere Arts Centre

2011-06-17T12:00:00.003+12:00

Banana Boat proudly supports Chris Molloy's play The Last Taniwha which opens next week on Thursday 23 June at the Mangere Arts Centre, Mangere. The Last Taniwha is produced by Leilani Unasa and is part of the 2011 Matariki Festival.

To book tickets, click here to email or call 09 262 5789.

"Strong Hands" - 15-17 June 2011, Auckland Town Hall

2011-06-10T19:33:00.004+12:00

Banana Boat proudly supports Michael Rewiri-Thorsen's play Strong Hands which opens next week on Wednesday 15 June at the Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall. Strong Hands is produced by Jenni Heka, and shares a double bill with Albert Belz's Te Awarua, courtesy of the Tuakana Teina Project.

To book tickets, click here or call 0800 BUY TICKETS.

May Fono

2011-05-26T12:00:00.001+12:00

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

Welcome to the after-match report from Banana Boat's May southside fono.

Present were GRANT BAYLEY, VENUS SMITH, JASON TAOUMA, LEILANI UNASA, GERALDINE WARREN, and DAVID MAMEA.

Apologies were received from MAUREEN FEPULEA'I, JENNI HEKA, CHETAN PATEL, ERIC SMITH and LOUISE TU'U.

Banana Boat Business

The next slew of Creative Clinics, Newbie Writers Workshop, and proposed Master Class have been pushed back to the Southside Festival (previously the Manukau Festival) in September-October this year. Details will be advised closer to that time.

News to Use

Playmarket's Brown Ink initiative, previously the Pasifika and Maori development initiatives, is looking for submissions, due 08 JULY 2011. Get writing.

Coming Up

It's almost Matariki by the time you read this, woot woot. Two Bananas have plays in production in a theatre near YOU:

- Michael Rewiri-Thorsen's play, Strong Hands, has a three day run on 15-17 June at the Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall. Strong Hands is brought to you by Jenni Heka's HEKAMA CREATIVE production company.

- Chris Molloy's play, The Last Taniwha, has a three day run on 23-25 June at the Mangere Arts Centre, Mangere. The Last Taniwha is produced by LEILANI.

Banana Boat has booked dates for some Christmas Cheer around late November to early December. Be afraid.

Script Reading

Not so much a reading as a Dragons Den Banana Boat-style as JASON pitched his idea for a feature script he's working on. He more than held his own as question after question after suggestion were thrown at him. We wish him all the best with his writing and look forward to the next stage of his project.

Writing Exercise

Bananas were put through their paces, first asked to come up with a character description in eight minutes, then given a mere fifteen minutes in which to write a monologue.

Next Fono

- will be on THURSDAY 30 JUNE 2011 at the Toi Ora Live Art Studio, 6 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn. Yes, this is the fifth Thursday of the month - but with Bananas Michael and Chris's plays running on the third and fourth Thursdays of June respectively, we gots to accommodate, knowwhatimean?

NEXT FONO: Thursday 19 May 2011

2011-05-14T14:07:00.002+12:00

The next fono is this THURSDAY, 19 MAY 2011 from 7PM TO 9PM. It will be held at the MANGERE ARTS CENTRE, CORNER OF ORLY AVENUE AND BADER DRIVE, MANGERE TOWN CENTRE. This fono is a week earlier than usual due to Matariki Festival opening on the following Thursday.

The agenda for the May fono is as follows:
- news to use;
- and the usual script reading and discussion.

April Fono

2011-05-02T19:31:00.001+12:00

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.

NEXT FONO: Thursday 21 April 2011

2011-04-14T19:00:00.000+12:00

The next fono is this THURSDAY, 21 APRIL 2011 from 7PM TO 9PM. It will be held at the TOI ORA LIVE ART STUDIO, 6 PUTIKI STREET, GREY LYNN.

The agenda for the April fono is as follows:
- news to use;
- and the usual script reading and discussion.

March 2011 Fono

2011-04-12T16:30:00.000+12:00

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

Welcome to the after-match report from Banana Boat's first fono in Mangere, woot woot.

Present

- were GRANT BAYLEY, MAUREEN FEPULEA'I, JASON TAOUMA, LEILANI UNASA, GERALDINE WARREN, JENNI HEKA and DAVID MAMEA.

Apologies

- were received from a double-booked LOUISE TU'U and an otherwise engaged OLIVIA MULI'AUMASEALI'I.

Banana Boat Business

JENNI has, as previously ~~threatened~~ stated, officially stepped down as co-facilitator. LEILANI has taken up the reins. We expect JENNI to continue her attendance and, without the group coordinating/facilitating being in her way any more, finding the time to write the stories she's been threatening to write since Banana Boat set sail.

MAUREEN was outed as being flown down to Wellington because she'd been shortlisted for one of the 2011 Adam New Zealand Awards. UPDATE: Maureen went on to win Best Play by Pasifika Playwright. Malo le galue, Maureen!

There was some discussion about Maureen's experience about having her first play being workshopped, with LEILANI giving some insights into how the writer can fit in with the workshopping process.

UPDATE: Banana Boat has done it again with more creative clinics and a newbie workshop at 2011 Pasifika.

News to Use

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

There's a rumour that LOUISE TU'U's Le Tauvaga will be up in May. Go hassle her at We Should Practice for more details. Tell her Dave sent ya.

Banana Boat clinics will be going two for two at this year's Matariki in June-July:
- 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

At Someone's insistence, those present were ambushed with a writing exercise. Here's some parameters, Someone Else said. Now write a page of dialogue in fifteen minutes. And at the end of those fifteen minutes, a coup de grace: Now read it out loud.

I think it went something like that.

People didn't walk out. Or spontaneously self-combust. Some even said it wasn't too hard. They got some writing done, others said. People seemed to like it.

So it might even be done at the next meeting. But in a different form. Maybe.

Script Reading

-- was provided by DAVID - another work in progress - and also in serious need of finishing. (He's working on it. In between feeding his BPRD addiction.)

Next Fono

- will be on THURSDAY 21 APRIL 2011 at the Toi Ora Live Arts Trust, 6 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn. Future fono may alternate between Grey Lynn and Mangere. Watch this space.

NEXT FONO: Thursday, 24 March 2011

2011-03-18T17:08:00.001+13:00

The next fono is this THURSDAY, 24 MARCH 2011 from 7PM TO 9PM. It will be held at the brand spanking MANGERE ARTS CENTRE, CORNER OF ORLY AVENUE AND BADER DRIVE, MANGERE TOWN CENTRE.

The agenda for the March fono is as follows:
- news to use;
- and the usual script reading and discussion.

Banana Boat @ Young Writers Festival ! Register today

2011-03-10T13:33:00.001+13:00

Thanks to the Courtney Meredith and Auckland Council, Banana Boat will be holding a workshop for Newbies Writers at the Youth Writers Workshop!

Where: Artstation Toi Tu, 1 Ponsonby Road, Auckland

When: Saturday March 26 10am - 2pm

What:
Young Writers Festival 2011
Banana Boat Newbie Scriptwriters Workshop

COST: FREE

Got an idea for a play?
Want to write but don't know where to start?
This FREE newbie writers workshop is a great first stop for budding playwrights.and screenwriters.
Facilitated by Screenwriter, filmmaker, and blogger, David Mamea.

For: Youth aged 15 - 25

Register: youngwriters@aucklandcounci.govt.nz

Change of venue Pasifika Festival 2011- Newbie Writers' Workshop - Presented by Playmarket & Banana Boat

2011-02-28T10:08:00.000+13:00

We have had a change of Venue for our up and coming Newbie Writers Workshop .
We will now be at Ellen Melville Hall , Cnr of High St and Freberg Place , Auckland City.
Not too late to register email Banana Boat bananaboatnz@gmail.com to book your spot .
$10 if register now or $15 at the door.

For more details follow link
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=160934440624967

CANCELLED: February Fono

2011-02-23T16:07:00.001+13:00

With the number of apologies received from members, it has been decided to CANCEL THE FEBRUARY FONO. Many, MANY apologies to YOU for the late notice.

For people who may now have a couple of hours spare tomorrow night, may we suggest Venus Stephens' opening of her SOFT MAD CHILDREN exhibition at The Basement, Lower Greys Avenue, Auckland CBD.

The Banana Boat shall break this South Auckland hoodoo and meet there NEXT MONTH, gosh darn it.

NEXT FONO: Thursday 24 February 2011

2011-02-17T16:32:00.002+13:00

The next fono is this THURSDAY, 24 FEBRUARY 2011 from 7PM TO 9PM. It will be held at the brand spanking MANGERE ARTS CENTRE, CORNER OF ORLY AVENUE AND BADER DRIVE, MANGERE TOWN CENTRE.

The agenda for the February fono is as follows:
- news to use;
- and the usual script reading and discussion.

Reminder - Pasifika Creative Clinics deadline 18th Feb -see flyer for details.

2011-02-07T10:09:00.000+13:00

Thanks to Eric Smith @ 7k Graphics for designing the efylers. Go to 7k.co.nz to see more of Eric's work.

Script Focus Programme with Gaylene Preston | The Big Idea | Te Aria Nui

2011-02-04T19:02:00.001+13:00

This one is for the screenwriters, don't miss the opportunity follow the link for more information.

Script Focus Programme with Gaylene Preston | The Big Idea | Te Aria Nui

January 2011 Fono

2011-02-04T16:00:00.000+13:00

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

Welcome to the after-match report from Banana Boat's first fono for 2011.

Present

- were GRANT BAYLEY, ERIC SMITH, LEILANI UNASA, GERALDINE WARREN, and DAVID MAMEA.

Apologies

- were received from a very busy CHETAN PATEL, a globetrotting LOUISE TU'U and an unwell JENNI HEKA.

Banana Boat Business

Big ups to Maureen Fepulea'i whose play Ono Tama'i Pato was a 2010 Adam New Zealand Play Award shortlistee. Maureen survived a Newbies Workshop run in Manukau last year.

News to Use

Poets Robert Sullivan and Courtney Meredith are running a Writing Workshop at the Fresh Gallery in Otara on FRIDAY 11 FEBRUARY.

Coming Up

The Playmarket and Banana Boat Creative Clinics are back and they want to take YOU and YOUR PLAY to the next level. The deadline for submitting your play is FRIDAY 18 FEBRUARY.

The Newbie Writers Workshop is also back: TUESDAY 8 MARCH at The Edge in Auckland CBD. Best register quick to secure a place.

Script Reading

GRANT and LEILANI each shared a monologue they've been tinkering with lately.

GRANT's My Friend Jack and LEILANI's Girlville couldn't be more different - each piece engaged those listening and initiated lengthy discussion. We look forward to their presentations out in the world!

Next Fono

- will be on THURSDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2011 at the MANGERE ARTS CENTRE, Corner of Orly Avenue and Bader Drive, Mangere Town Centre. This will be Banana Boat's first fono south of Grey Lynn - long overdue and, we hope, the first of many.

Get your 10 min plays ready ...Short + Sweet is coming!

2011-02-04T15:43:00.000+13:00

Short+Sweet returning to Auckland in 2011.
SHORT+SWEET
The festival of ten-minute plays has shifted to mid-year and with much thanks to STAMP they’ll be back at THE EDGE in July 2011.
Full details and dates will be announced shortly.

Producers Project - Danz

2011-02-04T10:39:00.000+13:00

Well the opportunities keep coming in thick and fast.

For those who are looking at producing works this year this just might be the programme for you. Producing Project is applicable to theatre as well as dance. Danz would welcome young artists from any genre.

SEEKING APPLICANTS FOR PRODUCING PROJECT
18 Feb 2011
Company: Dance Aotearoa New Zealand
Venue: 147 Great North Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland

Applications close 18 Feb
The Producing Project is a joint initiative between Dance Studies, NICAI University of Auckland, DANZ and MIC Toi Rerehiko to develop producing skills in recent dance graduates, freelance dancers, new producers and other emerging theatre practitioners. The project is a follow on from the highly successful WIP seasons in 2010. The project runs from early March till September 2011, and will include practical workshops, mentoring, discussion and industry work experience.

Cost: FREE
Booking: 09 370 0472
auckland@danz.org.nz
Event info: auckland@danz.org.nz

Register for Newbie Writers' Workshop

2011-02-02T14:38:00.001+13:00

BOnline Ticketing for Pasifika Festival - Newbie Writers' Workshop powered by Eventbrite

By clicking ORDER NOW - and then Send Invoice our Banana Boat bank details will be forwarded to your email.

Invite from one of our peeps Venus Stephens -

2011-02-02T14:33:00.000+13:00

Hello everyone, please come along.

Opening Thursday Feb 24 7-10pm

Friday Feb 25 - Sat March 5 6pm - 8pm

@ The Basement, Lower Greys Ave. Auckland CBD

Be lovely to see you there.

Pasifika Festival 2011- Newbie Writers' Workshop - Presented by Playmarket & Banana Boat

2011-01-31T15:39:00.000+13:00

It was so well received last year at Pasifika Festival we decided to do it again.
David Mamea takes you through the the basics and encourages you to show off your skills.

Tues March 8th
10am-2pm
The EDGE
Aotea Centre
Early Bird: $10 + GST or $15 at the door.

For more more details go to :
Pasifika Festival - Newbie Writers' Workshop - Playmarket & Banana Boat

Playmarket & Banana Boat Creative Clinics

2011-01-31T15:04:00.001+13:00

Hey all,
Happy New Year!!
What a great year 2010 was for Banana Boat.
2011 looks to be just as big and bright.
Pasifika Festival has again invited Banana Boat to participate as part of the festival programme. We couldn't say NO so we asked our good mates Playmarket to partner with us to deliver:

Playmarket & Banana Boat Creative Clinics.

This is a fabulous opportunity to have your play developed with professional script advisor , director and actors as part of Pasifika Festival 2011.

Deadline for submissions is Feb 18th 2011.
See link for more details
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=136625176400639

November 2010 Fono

2011-01-24T12:00:00.001+13:00

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

Welcome to another late after-match report - and the first 2011 Banana Boat broadside.

Present

- were AMBER ARANUI, GRANT BAYLEY, CLAIRE NOBLE, VENUS STEPHENS, GERALDINE WARREN, STAN WOLFGRAMM, JENNI HEKA and DAVID MAMEA.

Apologies

- were received from LEILANI UNASA, CHRIS MOLLOY, ERIC SMITH and DANNY AUMUA.

Banana Boat Business

There was a gentle reminder for the Brown Ink sessions - okay, they were generous exhortations. JENNI tempted those present with the promise of Heka Catering putting on the Brown Ink feed.

News to Use

The GRANT BAYLEY LIBRARY is as follows:

- The Best Plays of 1969-1970 - Otis L Guernsey, editor

- Curtain Times: The New York Theatre 1965-1987 - Otis L Guernsey Jr

- Five New Zealand Plays - John Thomson, editor

- Jumpers - Tom Stoppard

- My Best Play - a self-selected anthology that includes Noel Coward, Somerset Maugham, AA Milne

- Objection Overruled - Carolyn Burns

- Two Plays by Tom Stoppard: Every Good Boy Deserves Favour, and Professional Foul - Tom Stoppard

A webpage will be set aside for this library.

Coming Up

2011 is shaping up to another bumper year for Banana Boat and its yet-unnamed sibling organisation/production-unit. What else did you expect us to say: Watch this space.

Assuming someone (cough) is organised enough, it's hoped that the February 2011 fono will be held in South Auckland.

Script Reading

GRANT shared a five-minute monologue that emotionally affected all present - technical discussions almost seemed like an insult but it's one thing to share within a group, and another to share with a cold audience. The Banana Boat always wants its writers to put their best jandle forward 'cause it's what we do.

Next Fono

- will be on THURSDAY 27 JANUARY 2011 at the usual time and place. This will be the first fono for 2011.

NEXT FONO: Thursday 25 November 2010

2010-11-18T23:12:00.000+13:00

The next fono is this THURSDAY, 25 NOVEMBER 2010 from 7PM TO 9PM. It will be held at the funky TOI ORA LIVE ART TRUST STUDIO, 6 PUTIKI STREET, GREY LYNN.

The agenda for the November fono is as follows:
- news to use - the end of year gig and what's coming up in 2011;
- and the usual script reading and discussion.

Meanwhile:
- absolute deadline for monologues for the end-of-year party is Monday 22 November;
- Brown Ink Sessions on Saturday 27 November - register early and save;
- Banana Boat Christmas party on Friday 3 December!

October 2010 Fono and AGM

2010-11-11T19:00:00.002+13:00

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

Welcome to the after-match report.

Present

- were GRANT BAYLEY, CLAIRE NOBLE, CHETAN PATEL, REVEREND MUA PUA, ERIC SMITH, LEILANI UNASA, GERALDINE WARREN, JENNI HEKA and DAVID MAMEA.

Apologies

- were received from AHI KARUNAHARAN, CHRIS MOLLOY, JAMES NOKISE and MICHAEL REWIRI-THORSEN.

Banana Boat Business

JENNI gave an excellent presentation on the history, work, and possible future of Banana Boat. In just two years, this 'loose collective of Pasifika and Maori writers' has done more than just meet once a month: it has provided its members with workshops, opportunities for development and support, and been absolutely busting to get its members' works into production.

Banana Boat has indeed come a long way, baby.

The following was discussed and mooted at the August fono:

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.

After discussion of options available to the group, it was unanimously decided for the Banana Boat to seek charitable trust status. This decision includes two proxy votes from the absent MICHAEL and CHRIS.

The following attendees volunteered to be trustees: CHETAN, CHRIS (by proxy), CLAIRE, DAVID, GERALDINE, GRANT, JENNI, MUA, and LEILANI. Among their many tasks is drafting a constitution, deciding things like what a quorum is, and hopefully soon enough, discussing things like strategic directions, and ~~who to hit up for money~~ raising funds not just for the sake of it, but for you.

The following points were made and acknowledged in the meeting regarding members who were not present:
- not all Banana Boat members may agree with the decision taken by those attending this meeting;
- however, all Banana Boat members had been given an opportunity to attend, or at least discuss beforehand, this meeting's agenda.

Monthly fono will continue in the format to which we are all accustomed, for as long as members want the community and support that these provide.

News to Use

GRANT has generously donated a number of theatre- and writing-related books. These will be listed soon (once David remembers where he put them).

ERIC and CHETAN's I Don't Do Coconut" Retro Night fundraiser was held on 5 November to great acclaim and much dancing by JENNI and CLAIRE.

Coming Up

The Auckland Performing Arts Forum will be held on Friday 12 November at The EDGE, Auckland.

Playmarket's "Brown Ink Sessions" are on Satursday 27 November at Mangere Arts Centre. Jenni's posted about this already.

Banana Boat's Christmas do is on Thursday 2 December at Cosh Bar, Ponsonby. More details to follow.

Next Fono

- will be on THURSDAY 25 NOVEMBER at the usual time and place. This will be the last fono for 2010.

Playmarket Brown Ink Sessions- 27th Nov Mangere Arts Centre

2010-11-09T15:09:00.002+13:00

Great opportunity for Banana Boat writers to meet producers , venues and other playwrights. Find out how to get your work from page to the stage.

REGISTER TODAY
http://www.playmarket.org.nz/opportunities/brown_ink

Register by Nov 19th for Early Bird $30 or $35 at the door.
Call Jenni for more details 09 365 2648

NEXT FONO: Thursday 28 October 2010

2010-10-22T23:31:00.002+13:00

The next fono is on THURSDAY 28 OCTOBER 2010 from 7pm to 9pm at the funky TOI ORA LIVE ART TRUST STUDIO, 6 PUTIKI STREET, GREY LYNN.

The agenda for the October fono is:
- discussing the future of Banana Boat - what do YOU want?

August 2010 Fono

2010-10-11T23:00:00.002+13:00

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.

Banana Boat September Fono Canceled

2010-09-20T22:12:00.002+12:00

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

For reasons beyond our control, The fono planned for THURSDAY, 23 SEPTEMBER 2010 from 7PM TO 9PM has been canceled. We apologise for any inconvenience but look forward to seeing you all on THURSDAY, 28 SEPTEMBER 2010 for the BANANA BOAT AGM.

If you have any questions, the Banana Boat has a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - http://bananaboatnz.blogspot.com/p/fesili-ma-tali-faq.html.

If you any OTHER questions, or suggestions or requests, please don't hesitate to Reply to this email, or call Jenni on 09 365 2648 (Mondays, Thursday-Fridays, business hours).

The BANANA BOAT is on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=38546256309; and on Bebo - http://www.bebo.com/pasifikawriters.

Feel free to share the aroha and forward this email to whoever you think might be interested. If you got this email care of someone else and want to get future emails directly, Reply to this email and your name will be added to the distribution list.

And if you got this email in error and/or you've had enough, please say so.

Manuia

Jenni Heka

on behalf of BANANA BOAT

NEXT FONO: Thursday 26 August 2010

2010-08-20T11:00:00.001+12:00

The next fono is on THURSDAY 26 AUGUST 2010 from 7pm to 9pm at the funky TOI ORA LIVE ART TRUST STUDIO, 6 PUTIKI STREET, GREY LYNN.

The agenda for the August fono is:
- news to use - what's just happened, and what's coming up;
- and the usual script reading and/or discussion.

Playmarket Aotearoa/Pasifika Playwrights Competition

2010-08-17T08:38:00.003+12:00

Just wanted to let you know about the new competition, you know what they say you got to be in it to win it. - Cheers Jenni

PLAYWRIGHT DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY

Playmarket is calling for all Maori and Pacific playwrights within the Auckland Region with full drafts of unproduced plays to submit for intensive development as part of the Aotearoa/Pasifika Playwrights Hui/Fono 2010.

Selected works will receive a one on one lab and/or clinic with professional actors and script advisor and a rehearsed reading in Nov 2010

Submissions must include:

* Full draft (all pages numbered)
* Full character list
* Your contact details

To submit or for more information contact Jenni Heka, email jenni@playmarket.org.nz

09 3652648

Submissions close Friday 10 September 2010

July 2010 Fono

2010-08-16T10:00:00.002+12:00

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.

Fresh Shorts - low budget short film scheme | The Big Idea | Te Aria Nui

2010-07-20T09:08:00.000+12:00

Fresh Shorts - low budget short film scheme | The Big Idea | Te Aria Nui

For those of you that have short film scripts, Fresh Shorts - Low Budget short films scheme - maybe just what your looking for. Check out the link.

Call for Theatre Shows | The Big Idea | Te Aria Nui

2010-07-19T09:43:00.000+12:00

Call for Theatre Shows | The Big Idea | Te Aria Nui
Check this out

NEXT FONO: Thursday 22 July 2010

2010-07-15T19:00:00.000+12:00

The next fono is on THURSDAY 22 JULY 2010 from 7pm to 9pm at the funky TOI ORA LIVE ART TRUST STUDIO, 6 PUTIKI STREET, GREY LYNN.

The agenda for the July fono is:
- news to use - including a debrief about Matariki and the Creative Clinics in Manukau;
- and the usual script reading and/or discussion.

MIXITUP: Jukebox Selector - Friday 2 July 2010

2010-06-20T09:45:00.003+12:00

NEXT FONO: Thursday 24 June 2010

2010-06-18T21:18:00.002+12:00

The next fono is on THURSDAY 24 JUNE 2010 from 7pm to 9pm at the funky TOI ORA LIVE ART TRUST STUDIO, 6 PUTIKI STREET, GREY LYNN.

The agenda for the June fono is:
- news to use - including stuff about Matariki in Manukau;
- and the usual script reading and/or discussion.

May 2010 Fono

2010-06-15T19:59:00.002+12:00

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.

JUKEBOX 2010 - Development

2010-05-31T13:54:00.002+12:00

Nine scripts.

Nine sets of notes.

Nine email conversations of "What is it about?" and "Why did you choose to end it the way you did?"

Nine writers have four weeks in which to tighten their plotting, better realise their characters, and tweak and pull and twist their scripts so that I will have no choice but to select THEIR script for staging in July.

How hard can it be?

We Shall Overcome

2010-05-29T15:00:00.002+12:00

Bummer - we didn't get funding but never fear we shall overcome. Time to think outside the square. Fundraiser ahoy! TIME for a PARTY!

JUKEBOX 2010 - Development Slate

2010-05-26T17:30:00.000+12:00

Banana Boat is proud to announce its selection of short play scripts to be developed for production in late July.

Roland Meihana's The Haka

Chris Molloy's Learn From Me Mate

Chetan Patel's High Fidelity

Michael Rewiri-Thorsen's thankyou

Jonathan P Riley's Fia Poko Afakasi

John Sagala's The Race of the Lost Tribe

Venus Stephens' Live On

Louise Tu'u's Downtown

Leilani Unasa's Row Yo Boat

Congratulations to the above writers for making the cut.

Next step for the writers is a whole lot of writing and development.

Banana Boat Creative Clinics submissions open | The Big Idea | Te Aria Nui

2010-05-23T19:58:00.000+12:00

Banana Boat Creative Clinics submissions open | The Big Idea | Te Aria Nui

Just incase you missed the original posting - Submissions for the Banana Boat Clinics Close 2 June 2010. Email bananaboatnz@gmail.com , You got to be in it to win it.

Banana Boat Creative Clinics submissions open | The Big Idea | Te Aria Nui

2010-05-22T15:48:00.000+12:00

Banana Boat Creative Clinics submissions open | The Big Idea | Te Aria Nui

NEXT FONO: Thursday 27 May 2010

2010-05-20T17:00:00.001+12:00

The next fono is on THURSDAY 27 MAY 2010 from 7pm to 9pm at the funky TOI ORA LIVE ART TRUST STUDIO, 6 PUTIKI STREET, GREY LYNN.

The agenda for the May fono is:
- news to use - including a report on the Producers Workshop held in April, and an update on the Jukebox Season in July;
- and the usual script reading and/or discussion.

Banana Boat Creative Clinics submissions open | The Big Idea | Te Aria Nui

2010-05-14T02:50:00.001+12:00

Banana Boat Creative Clinics submissions open | The Big Idea | Te Aria Nui

Back by popular demand - Banana Boat Creative Clinics - submit your play today.

April 2010 Fono

2010-05-10T17:30:00.000+12:00

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.

Call for playwrights' monologue submissions | The Big Idea | Te Aria Nui

2010-04-23T20:00:00.000+12:00

Call for playwrights' monologue submissions | The Big Idea | Te Aria Nui

Here's an opportunity for your playwrights to flex your writing muscle , create a monologue and enter.

OPPORTUNITY: Call for Short Plays for Jukebox 2010

2010-04-21T18:00:00.000+12:00

The Banana Boat is mounting a Jukebox Season in late July 2010.

What is Jukebox Season?

A revue-style presentation of five ten-minute plays, over five nights in the last week of July 2010.

What do you want?

We are seeking short plays to be part of the Jukebox Season.

Plays must be:
- no more than ten minutes long;
- have at least two characters;
- be an original work.

Is there a theme for this Jukebox Season?

Why yes there is: What's my stereotype?

How you approach, develop, riff, whatever on this theme is totally up to you.

Who do you want?

You. And you are ideally any one or more of the following:
- a Banana Boat member;
- a Pasifika writer;
- a Maori writer;
- any combination of the above.

How do I submit?

Submit the following to Banana Boat by Wednesday 5 May 2010:
1. a ten-minute script;
2. a half-A4-page about yourself, the writer; and
3. a half-A4-page about the story you're trying to tell - like why, or how it came about, whatever you feel like.

When do I hear back?

Wednesday 12 May 2010.

What happens after that?

Your favourite three words: "Watch this space."

But here's a hint: intense development.

What if I have other questions?

Email Banana Boat for answers.

Rules, Regulations and Important Information

The Executive Producers (EPs) are David Mamea and Jenni Heka.

Submissions received after the deadline will not be considered unless communication has taken place between the submitter and Banana Boat prior to the deadline. There may be some wiggle room if the late submission is accompanied by a roast pig, bucket of KFC or a negotiable amount of cold hard cash.

The decision of the EPs is final. No correspondence, hate mail, abusive txts, phone hang-ups or spittle exchanges will be entered into.

The EPs reserve the right to change the Rules, Regulations and Important Information relating to Jukebox Season without notice.

NEXT FONO: Thursday 22 April 2010

2010-04-16T10:43:00.002+12:00

The next fono is on THURSDAY 22 APRIL 2010 from 7pm to 9pm at the funky TOI ORA LIVE ART TRUST STUDIO, 6 PUTIKI STREET, GREY LYNN.

The agenda for the April fono is:
- news to use - including a report on the Producers Workshop held in April, and an update on the Jukebox Season in July;
- and the usual script reading and/or discussion.

March 2010 Fono

2010-04-12T12:00:00.000+12:00

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

Welcome to the after-match report.

Present

-- were ELENA BOLLINO, MESEPA EDWARDS, RICHARD FOULKES, WILL ILOLAHIA, OLE MAIAVA, CHRIS MOLLOY, CHETAN PATEL, MICHAEL REWIRI-THORSEN, JOHNNY SAGALA, ERIC SMITH, JASON TE KARE, LOUISE TU'U, LEILANI UNASA, JENNI HEKA and DAVID MAMEA.

Apologies

- were received from JASON GREENWOOD, MICHELLE JOHANSSON, JONATHAN RILEY and STAN WOLFGRAMM.

Stuff

JASON brought greetings from the legendary Writers Block writers group in Wellington, established by Hone Kouka in 1999.

The March Creative Clinics were judged a success - participants gained a lot from all three workshops provided, whether it was the one-on-one with Albert Belz, the workshop with James Wilson and some tame actors, or writing-for-newbies by DAVID.

A gentle reminder was given regarding the Producers Workshop in early April.

UPDATE: The workshop was fully booked and is half-way through as this is being typed.

Coming Up

Banana Boat is working to mount a Jukebox 2010 Season in late July with help from Creative New Zealand. Watch your email Inboxes.

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.

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

Script Reading

-- was courtesy of Playmarket: Jo Randerson's Banging Cymbal, Clanging Gong. MICHAEL was very game in reading all seven pages of this one-hander despite being the wrong gender.

Next Meeting

-- is THURSDAY 22 APRIL at the usual time and place.

They're Reading Our Blog Here

2010-04-06T22:30:00.003+12:00

Courtesy of GoogleAnalytics, here are this blog's stats, comparing the past month with six months back.

5 October - 4 October 2009

5 March - 4 April 2010

We've come a long way, baby.

And we've only just begun.

Playmarket Metro Theatre Playreading Series | The Big Idea | Te Aria Nui

2010-04-01T21:27:00.000+13:00

Playmarket Metro Theatre Playreading Series | The Big Idea | Te Aria Nui
Check it out People . Albert Belz kicks off the Playmarket Metro Theatre Playreading Series' on April 15th . 6.30pm start . Koha Entry .

Fofo Twins and French Bay: new works @ Offstage 2 this coming Friday night at Galatos

2010-03-21T13:46:00.002+13:00

We Should Practice present "The Fofo Twins", part of a new work by Louise Tu'u and Jonathan Riley is presenting a new work, "French Bay".

These two works are part of a performance and moving image evening, organised by Tautai Trust: www.tautai.org, where performance pieces are 10 minutes and moving images 5 minutes long.

This means variety and exposure to lots of different individuals and groups. Entry is by gold coin donation so please come and invite everyone you know. Cash only (No Eftpos)

When? Friday 26th March, starting 7pm sharp
Where? Galatos, 17 Galatos St, Newton

For more info, check out: www.tautai.org
www.weshouldpractice.com

See you there!

NEXT FONO: Thursday 25 March 2010

2010-03-18T19:00:00.000+13:00

The next fono is on THURSDAY 25 MARCH 2010 from 7pm to 9pm at the funky TOI ORA LIVE ART TRUST STUDIO, 6 PUTIKI STREET, GREY LYNN.

The agenda for the March fono is:
- housekeeping - what's in the pipeline;
- and the usual script reading and/or discussion.

OPPORTUNITY: Producers Workshop with Lauren Hughes - April 2010

2010-03-12T12:00:00.003+13:00

Submissions are now open for the BANANA BOAT PRODUCERS WORKSHOP with LAUREN HUGHES.

The date of the workshop is SATURDAY 10 APRIL and SATURDAY 17 APRIL 2010.

Places are limited - register by:

1. completing this form (available in PDF and Word), and

2. emailing/snail-mailing it to Banana Boat directly with payment of $20.00 per body.

Banana Boat members and friends have first dibs on registrations for the workshop, with any remaining spaces available on a first-in, first-served basis.

Any questions about the workshop itself, JENNI HEKA is the woman for you, while registrations and other boring admin stuff is done by DAVID MAMEA through this email address.

UPDATE: ~~five~~ seven spaces have gone already, leaving ~~twenty~~ eighteen.

14 MARCH UPDATE: twelve places gone, thirteen still up for grabs. (Always up for an opportunity to astound people with my arithmetic.)

Housekeeping - FAQ

2010-03-05T09:19:00.002+13:00

There is now an FAQ page (link is in the top right corner of the home page) if you're wondering about dropping into a meeting, the required etiquette (bring food enough for a bunch of islanders) (just kidding), or having your material read.

February 2010 Fono

2010-03-04T15:36:00.007+13:00

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

Welcome to the after-match report.

PRESENT were JASON GREENWOOD, MICHELLE JOHANSSON, CHETAN PATEL, REV. MUA PUA, MICHAEL REWIRI-THORSEN, ERIC SMITH, AARON TAOUMA, LEILANI UNASA, STAN WOLFGRAMM, JENNI HEKA and DAVID MAMEA.

APOLOGIES were gratefully received from JAMES NOKISE and LOUISE TU'U. (If you emailed your apologies and I haven't namechecked you, my sincere apologies: my mailbox is a little chocker with funding queries, attachments, etc.)

CREATIVE CLINICS

JENNI was rather chuffed to report that eleven submissions were received for the creative clinics, with fifteen registrations received for the Newbies Workshop.

UPDATE: four pieces have been selected for workshops with Massive Theatre's JAMES WILSON and the inimitable ALBERT BELZ:
- CHETAN PATEL's Closing Time;
- MICHAEL REWIRI-THORSEN's Strong Hands;
- JONATHAN RILEY's Makigi; and
- LEILANI UNASA's Ape Shit.

All submissions had strong ideas or concepts but what made the difference was how much development they had had to date. The selected scripts had this in common: they were sufficiently developed to take full advantage of the creative clinics.

Congratulations to the successful playwrights.

COMING UP

APRIL 2010
- PRODUCERS WORKSHOP, the shout-out to interested parties will happen once the Creative Clinics are safely out of the way (second week of March).

JUNE 2010
- More CREATIVE CLINICS, this time in Manukau, the shout out to interested parties will likely happen after the Producers Workshop have been put to bed (late April).

JULY 2010
- Maybe, just maybe, a JUKEBOX SEASON of short plays as part of a mainstream theatre programme. More details to follow in the coming months, universe allowing.

IN OTHER NEWS

- Many congratulations to JENNI HEKA who is directing Briar Grace-Smith's Purapurawhetu with Cathy Downes.

- Congratulations also to OLE MAIAVA whose short radio play Skin Deep was broadcast on National Radio in mid-February, and is available to be heard online at Radio New Zealand.

- MICHELLE JOHANSSON's Uso opens on WEDNEDAY 10 MARCH at the Musgrove Theatre. Banana Boat members get in free (email Michelle beforehand)! People wearing our bootiful Banana Boat t-shirts get in free (email Michelle beforehand), too!

(T-shirts are $25.00 plus postage via either David Mamea or 7K.)

- JONATHAN RILEY's Pink Lighter is part of the Fringe 2010 season in Wellington. (I suspect JAMES NOKISE has something going on down there, too but... at least I namechecked ya, bud!)

- And DAVID MAMEA's short film To'ona'i is part of Craig Fasi's Pollywood 8 2010 short film festival of brown and proud, screening at MIC in the city (7 March), Mangere (16 March), and Henderson (18 March).

SCRIPT READING --

-- was generously provided by ERIC SMITH with Soundtrack of My Life, a slice of public service nostalgia with layers of love and friendship and melancholy.

NEXT MEETING --

-- is THURSDAY 25 MARCH, at the usual time and place.

Heritage Pacific Arts Fono

2010-03-03T22:11:00.002+13:00

Heritage Pacific Arts Fono

In association with Pasifika Festival 2010, Creative New Zealand hosts an open forum to discuss the health of heritage arts in Pacific communities in New Zealand and methods of assisting these.

Date: Friday 12 March 2010
Time: 10am - 4pm
Venue: Reception Lounge (level 2), Auckland Town Hall (301 Queen Street), The Edge
Entry: Free!! With lunch and refreshments provided

The one day fono will include:

· Introduction of Creative New Zealand’s Heritage arts strategy (10am)

· Feedback on Creative New Zealand’s research into the Health of Pacific Heritage Arts (10.30am)

· Open forum of discussion on key issues and barriers for Heritage Arts (11.30am)

· Artist talks and discussions on their practice (12.30pm)

· Practical guide to applying for Creative New Zealand funding for Heritage Arts projects (2pm)

· One on One session with Creative New Zealand’s Senior Programme Adviser, Pacific Arts (3pm – 4pm)

Guest speakers include: Herman Piíkea Clark (Massey University), Ole Maiava (Pasifika Festival Director), Taha Fasi, Iosefa Enari (Pacific Dance Project), Matafetu Smith

RSVP for catering purposes by 5pm Wednesday 11th March : pacificarts@creativenz.govt.nz or call me on (04) 498 0729

Creative New Zealand will also have an information tent at Pasifika Festival near the International stage, where you can pick up funding guides and resources.

2010 Manawatu Festival of New Arts - Massey University - call for submissions

2010-02-27T14:03:00.001+13:00

2010 Manawatu Festival of New Arts - Massey University
Work type:
Freelance
Work classification:
Writer
Job description:

CLOSING SOON: One-Act Playwriting & Poetry for Performance Competitions

See: http://www.thebigidea.co.nz/work/jobs-opportunities/festivals/63488-one-act-playwriting-poetry-for-performance

or: http://ems.massey.ac.nz/massey/learning/departments/school-english-media-studies/playwriting-competition/playwriting-competition-2010.cfm
Opportunity location:
Massey University Palmerston North

Friday, 19 March 2010
Contact details:

Carol Seelye
School Administrator
School of English & Media Studies
Massey University
Private Bag 11222
Palmerston North

Phone: (06) 356 9099 Ext 2730
Fax: (06) 350 5672

e-mail: C.A.Seelye@massey.ac.nz
http://ems.massey.ac.nz

Radio NZ cuts could impact writers | The Big Idea | Te Aria Nui

2010-02-20T21:26:00.003+13:00

Radio NZ cuts could impact writers | The Big Idea | Te Aria Nui

Wow my very first post , I'll try to be as amusing and articulate as David but well I'm an art administrator and well ...

Something that has been of some concern is the recent stories about Radio NZ.

For those who may or may not know for the last two years Jason Te Kare = Drama and Readings Producer from Radio NZ has held writing for workshops here in Auckland specifically aimed at Maori & PI writers.

With the threat to Radio NZ funding these outreach programmes are under threat.

What Jason and his Radio NZ workshops achieve is to inform writers with new plays that they can adapt for radio and get paid. Something which for our playwrights doesn't happen very often , getting paid.

Radio NZ invites participants to submit a 15min works and the winners radio play is produced. Previous winners have been in 2008 David Mamea - Banana Boat - coordinator, who has just finished his first full length work for radio. In 2009 Ole Maiava, Banana Boat and Rob Tuwhare , Te Arapiki Writers Roopu had pieces produced.

Jason will be back again this year in July to run Writing for Radio workshop aimed this year at Maori , Pacific and Asian writers.

My advice, don't miss this opportunity, because the way the government is going it may not be happening again. So watch this space and we'll get the details out to you very soon.

Jenni Heka

NEXT FONO: Thursday 25 February 2010

2010-02-18T21:32:00.001+13:00

The next fono is on THURSDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2010 from 7pm to 9pm at the funky TOI ORA LIVE ART TRUST STUDIO, 6 PUTIKI STREET, GREY LYNN.

The agenda for the February fono is:
- housekeeping - what's in the pipeline;
- and the usual script reading and/or discussion.

January 2010 Fono

2010-02-15T21:30:00.000+13:00

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

Welcome to the after-match report.

Present were JODY HOANI, MICHELLE JOHANSSON, MATENE KARENA, CHETAN PATEL, MICHAEL REWIRI-THORSEN, ERIC SMITH, LOUISE TU'U, JENNI HEKA and DAVID MAMEA.

Apologies were received from the reverend MUA PUA.

INAUGURAL 2009 JUKEBOX

Good vibes were reported from various quarters about the Jukebox in December 2009. The evening was judged to be a success, and the group looks forward to making it a regular event on the theatre landscape.

2010 CREATIVE CLINICS

By the time these minutes have been posted, the deadline for Banana Boat's Inaugural Creative Clinics will have come and gone - but if you're on the right email-lists, that would be old news; and if you're not, 2011 is another year.

These clinics give playwrights and their scripts the opportunity to have:

-- a half-day workshop with Massive Theatre's JAMES WILSON; and/or

-- a half-day one-on-one script lab with ALBERT BELZ ("Where's New Net").

The clinics take place on MONDAY and TUESDAY, 8-9 MARCH, 10:00am to 4:30pm, at the COUNCIL CHAMBERS in the Auckland Town Hall. The clinics are open to the public for a look-behind-the-scenes kind of thing so don't be shy.

The 2010 Banana Boat Creative Clinics are made possible with the support of AUCKLAND CITY CREATIVE COMMUNITIES and PLAYMARKET.

2010 PRODUCERS WORKSHOPS

The Banana Boat is ALSO proud to announce the upcoming 2010 Producers Workshops that will take place over two SATURDAYS, 10 and 17 APRIL 2010, at The Edge.

A call for applications will go out soon (once the flurry over the Creative Clinics dies down a little) but fear not: there will be a deadline, there will be application criteria, there are limited places - the whole kit and caboodle that you love so much.

EVEN MORE UPCOMING STUFF

Banana Boat is responding to the call for a LIGHTING & SET DESIGN WORKSHOP and is working on it for - hopefully - later this year.

There is a WRITERS' RETREAT in planning stages for the last quarter of 2010. This replaces the Pasifika Forum that usually happens around now (or soon).

IN OTHER NEWS

- ERIC SMITH and CHETAN PATEL's "I Don't Do Coconut" will open the Banana Boat's 2010 Reading Series in late March - watch this space (or email Eric).

- MICHELLE JOHANSSON's "Uso" (previously titled "Impact") premieres on 10 March 2010 at the Musgrove Theatre - for more details, go to http://blackfriarscompany.blogspot.com.

SCRIPT READINGS --

... were not possible due to an uncooperative printer.

So David got up, set up a whiteboard and said, "I've got this idea for a story..." Sixty minutes went rather quickly as --

-- David outlined the bones of his concept: he had three - no, four - no, three - characters and specific production constraints --

-- the group spitballed and discussed and took numerous detours about the concept --

-- characters were modified and pummelled --

-- themes were tossed into the ring and kicked about --

-- and the narrative structure was hassled and harried.

People seemed to enjoy it. David's just happy the group did the heavy lifiting for him on his project.

NEXT MEETING --

-- is on THURSDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2010 at the usual time and place.

SCRIPTS TO BE READ --

-- at future meetings are welcome on a first-in, first-served and time-permitting basis. To avoid disappointment, getting in touch with David or Jenni at least a week beforehand will increase the chances of your script being read.

Only complete act/s for full-length plays, or complete one-act or short plays are read by the group. First-time attendees' scripts will not be read. Scripts will need to be printed and copied at the writer's expense.

If you have any questions, suggestions or requests, please don't hesitate to email me, or call Jenni on 09 365 2648 (Mondays, Thursday-Fridays, business hours).

Maori and Pasifika Opportunities

2010-02-10T15:12:00.000+13:00

Maori and Pasifika Opportunities
Banana Boat Writers Group proudly supported by Auckland City Creative Communities and Playmarket will host a series of intensive half day play workshops with Director/Producer James Wilson ( Massive Company) and playwright one on one labs with Albert Belz ( Whero's New Net, Awhi Tapu) as part of the Pasifika Festival on 8th and 9th March 2010. 10am - 4.30pm at Council Chambers, Auckland Town Hall
Pasifika and Maori Playwrights with full drafts of a theatre plays are invited to apply at bananaboatnz@gmail.com
All applications must include
1.cover page and play title2. Brief Synopsis.3. Character list of all characters - sentence or two about character.4. Playwrights contact details and day time ph number5. page numbersAll applications must be received by Feb 12th at 3pm.
Places are limited. For more details please contact Jenni Heka jenni@playmarket.org.nz or David Mamea bananaboatnz@gmail.com

Cheers jenni
Jenni Heka
jenni@playmarket.org.nz
Jenni Heka
jenni@playmarket.org.nz

NEXT FONO: Thursday 28 January

2010-01-21T20:02:00.001+13:00

The next fono is on THURSDAY, 28 JANUARY 2010 from 7PM TO 9PM. It will be held at the funky TOI ORA LIVE ART TRUST STUDIO, 6 PUTIKI STREET, GREY LYNN.

The agenda for the January fono is as follows:
- December Jukebox debrief;
- update on 2010 Banana Boat Festival;
- general housekeeping with Jenni;
- and the usual script reading and discussion.

Ia Manuia Le Aso Sa o Tamaiti

2010-01-14T15:28:00.002+13:00

Is there some PTSD component to that phrase popping into my head when I'm feeling overwhelmed? Something to do with the crushing of childhood innocence as grimfaced parents require you to smile-like-you-mean-it-or-you're-gonna-GET-IT-AFTERWARD whilst performing biblical re-enactments of the Sermon on the Mount or the Parting of the Red Sea or the Storming of Some Godless Kingdom, perhaps?

Yes, things got a bit busy in December. Instead of putting it off and promising to give you a full report that - to be brutally honest - I'm unlikely to have time to do, here's a quick recap.

END OF YEAR GIG

Also known in The Inner Circle as "The Rebirth of Jukebox".

Banana Boat's Christmas Jukebox shindig went off fabulously with JAMES NOKISE not only MCing the evening but having an acting piece in each short play. Despite numerous hints from Mr Nokise to rename the night "The James Nokise Festival", management reserves the right to name the event depending on their sponsorship, general humour and level of hunger at time of decision. This is not to rule out the possibility of an award in Mr Nokise's name in future. Enough attempts at humour.

ERIC SMITH's piece - which was read in an April meeting - went over well, and was a tremendous learning experience for him from writing, rehearsing, directing and producing it ALL ON HIS OWN.

MICHELLE JOHANNSON's piece, directed by JENNI HEKA, showed how an inspired script - which was read in a September meeting - could leap off the page and poke you in the eye.

And ARNETTE ARAPAI's piece brought the house down in - what I presume is - true Niuean style.

Malo le fa'auli, Banana Boat writers. Let's see some more.

NEXT MEETING

Yes, there is a meeting this month: THURSDAY 28 JANUARY 2010, usual time and place.

Bananaboat T-shirts on-line now

2009-12-06T11:37:00.005+13:00

The Bananaboat t-shirts are available on-line now. Follow this link to the 7K store. Support local writing, buy a tee now. Yeah I want one take me there!

Xmas Pacific Cheer

2009-11-30T23:33:00.002+13:00

Just a little of the work put in by wonderful actors and stand up comedians (Mr. Nokise) so that we can provide some entertainment for those who would come along and support Bananaboats efforts to encourage and develop writers for stage. Special thanks to Alex Tarant-Keepa, Katie Montgomerie and James Nokise featured in this segment from a recent rehearsal.

NEXT FONO: Thursday 3 December

2009-11-19T08:48:00.003+13:00

22 October 2009 Fono

2009-10-29T14:49:00.004+13:00

Welcome to the after-match report.

Present were MICHELLE JOHANSSON, VIOLA JOHANSSON, MATENE KARENA, JENNI HEKA and DAVID MAMEA.

Apologies were received with thanks from a work-waylaid CHETAN PATEL, a car-keys-seeking ERIC SMITH, the reverend MUA PUA, and the ever-gigging JAMES NOKISE.

At first there was just MATENE, JENNI and DAVID. Then they were joined by MICHELLE and VIOLA. But you don't skim these missives for the Order of Appearance.

In the absence of the Usual Suspects, plans were made regarding future Banana Boat meetings. Executive decisions taken. Anticipation was rife. Strong plunger coffee was had.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER MEETING/S

The next meeting will:
- have rehearsed readings of scripts by Banana Boat writers;
- have a festive, summery, YULETIDE air; and
- be an end-of-year meeting to see out 2009!

And to this end:
- there will be no meeting in November*;
- the next meeting will be on THURSDAY 3 DECEMBER at a location and time to be advised closer to the date.

(* Addicts are welcome to arrange a more informal gathering if they wish on the fourth Thursday of the month if they so wish.)

IN OTHER NEWS

- JONATHAN P RILEY and PHOENIX SEVE graced the 2009 Titirangi 24 Hour Theatre Challenge with their writing. Louise Tu'u was also there as a director.

- Phoenix's "Fale of Troy" will have a limited run at Henderson High School from TUESDAY 24 to SATURDAY 28 NOVEMBER.

- David's short film, TO'ONA'I, is having a wee screening at the Academy Cinemas in Lorne Street, Auckland city, on SATURDAY 31 OCTOBER at 12:30PM.

NEXT MEETING --

-- is on THURSDAY 3 DECEMBER, location, time and juicy details to be advised.

NEXT FONO: Thursday 22 October

2009-10-14T13:00:00.000+13:00

The next fono is on THURSDAY, 22 OCTOBER 2009 from 7PM TO 9PM. It will be held at the funky TOI ORA LIVE ART TRUST STUDIO, 6 PUTIKI STREET, GREY LYNN.

The agenda for the October fono is as follows:
- general housekeeping with Jenni;
- probable guests, visiting Kenyan playwright WAKANYOTE NJUGUNA and returning guest WANJIKU KIARIE;
~~- possible special appearance by Maori playwright HONE KOUKA;~~
- and the usual script reading and discussion.

24 September 2009 Fono

2009-10-07T21:36:00.002+13:00

Welcome to the after-match report, and my apologies for the delay.

The September fono marked the beginning of Banana Boat's second year - long may Banana Boat sail into uncharted waters in search of tales short and tall, and all sorts of other adjectives.

Present were MICHELLE JOHANSSON, OLE MAIAVA, VASITI PALIVI, CHETAN PATEL, JONATHAN P RILEY, ERIC SMITH, JENNI HEKA and DAVID MAMEA.

Apologies were received from the island-hopping JAMES NOKISE and an either homework-marking- or just home-bound MATENE KARENA.

2009 BANANA BOAT JUKEBOX

Due to insufficient submissions, the 2009 Jukebox season was laid to rest. Maybe next year. 'Nuff said.

2010 BANANA BOAT SEASON

JENNI HEKA exhorted those with projects on Banana Boat's 2010 slate to apply for some development funding. The funders have the money. You have the story. Come together to make SOMETHING HAPPEN.

Jenni has been flat out writing funding proposals, which is preventing her from doing any creative writing of her own, so BACK OFF.

MEMBERS' NEWS

OLE MAIAVA was roundly congratulated for being one of Radio New Zealand's 2009 Short Drama Competition winners with "Skin Deep" - a theatrical version of which was read at the April 2009 meeting.

SCRIPT READINGS --

-- were provided by ERIC SMITH and MICHELLE JOHANSSON.

Eric's first act of "Le Va", a scene of which had been read at the December 2008 meeting, was read and commented on by the group. We look forward to a complete script for its next group reading.

Michelle's short piece, "In a Box", was the second draft of a piece that had been read by the group in the previous month's meeting. Discussion followed over what Michelle had added or taken away since the first draft's reading, and what worked or didn't work.

NEXT MEETING --

-- is on THURSDAY 22 OCTOBER at the Toi Ora Live Art Trust, 6 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn.

SCRIPTS TO BE READ --

-- at the October meeting are welcome on a first-in, first-served and time-permitting basis. To avoid disappointment, getting in touch with David or Jenni at least a week beforehand will increase the chances of your script being read.

NEXT FONO: Thursday 24 September

2009-09-16T14:29:00.001+12:00

The next fono is on THURSDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER 2009 from 7PM TO 9PM. It will be held at the funky TOI ORA LIVE ART TRUST STUDIO, 6 PUTIKI STREET, GREY LYNN.

The agenda for the September fono is as follows:
- Jenni reminding attendees that she will NOT be producing a play in October as she is rather busy writing proposals;
- the cancellation of Jukebox 2009 and the reasons why;
- a talk by Auckland Theatre Company's literary manager, PHILIPPA CAMPBELL;
- and the usual script reading and discussion.

2009-09-13T19:55:00.005+12:00

Minutes: 27 August 2009
Bananaboat Monthly Meeting

Chair: Jenni Heka
Present: Arnette Arapai, Albert Belz, Tina, Phoenix Seve, Michelle Johansson, Eric Smith
Guests: Year 13 drama students from Henderson High School

The meeting began with the traditional opening prayer lead by a newcomer, in this case one of our visiting students.
Discussion around the on-going search for funding and the effect of that on what Bananaboat has been looking at doing for some months eg. Productions, jukebox etc.
Jenni gave an account of what she has been doing in terms of constantly trying to find ways to secure some sort of funding to realise something. There appears to be no real change other than a continuous slog to attain something going forward.

The financial reality and the toil that has eventuated out of trying to stage something from the groups support efforts to encourage writing has begged that we perhaps look at formalising the function/tenets of the group. A clear indication is required of what the group is about and what its goals are. In Jenni’s words, “laying down what the group is about.” eg. Are we a writer’s support group that focuses solely on writers support sans any aspirations to produce the work of its members?
This is something that may need to be looked at future meetings.

Arnette has also offered to look at getting some information from the Companies Office as part of providing the group information around the formation of a trust which will help in giving the group some legitimacy around this entire issue of funding and formalising the group. This will also be an on-going point likely to be discussed going forward.

After the requisite tea-break Introductions were called for so that we would get some background as per usual on our visitors and vice versa our visitors on the attending group members. The resading session ensued with 3 pieces provided generously by Chetan Patel, Dena Kennedy and Michelle Johansson. Each of the pieces were well received and feedback was provided.

As is normal the meeting moved to a recap of where attendees were at in terms of their work following which our guests were rightfully acknowledged for their participation and contribution of energy to a meeting that struggled for positive fiscal news but was boundless in positive creative energy.
The meeting was duly closed with a brief and heartfelt prayer from one of our visiting drama students.

NEXT FONO: 27 August

2009-08-26T15:58:00.002+12:00

Whoa - I turn my back and I'm freaking late with this heads-up. Sorry.

The next fono is THURSDAY, 27 AUGUST from 7pm to 9pm. THAT'S TOMORROW. It will be held at the usual TOI ORA LIVE ART STUDIO, 6 PUTIKI STREET, GREY LYNN.

The agenda will be:
- various updates relating to Creative New Zealand funding and the Boat's very own Juke Box;
- a possible guest speaker to keep you on your toes; and
- the usual script-reading and discussion.

23 July 2009 Fono

2009-08-02T14:30:00.003+12:00

Welcome to the after-match report. The July fono marked the twelfth monthly get together of the Banana Boat group. That's our first year out of the way! Boo-ya!

Present were Arnette Arapai, David Grierson, Hayley Hansell, Jody Hoani, Matene Karena, Leilani, Christina Mamea, Chetan Patel, Victoria Schmidt, Stan Wolfgramm, Jenni Heka and David Mamea.

Apologies were received from the still-globe-trotting Stacey Leilua, and the quite busy Eric Smith.

2009 Banana Boat Jukebox

A final reminder rung out for the 2009 Jukebox season, which closed on Friday 31 July.

2010 Banana Boat Season

Jenni announced Banana Boat's slate:

2010
- I Don't Do Coconut by Chetan Patel & Eric Smith
- Makigi by Jonathan P Riley
- Road to Glory by Chetan Patel
- Then Sings My Soul by Victoria Schmidt

2011 onwards
- The NGG by Eric Smith
- Kingswood by D F Mamea

Congratulations to the above-named, thanks to all who submitted, and onwards to development, workshops and production!

2010 Pasifika Playwrights Development Initiative

The deadline for submissions is Friday, 25 September at 3:00pm.

Script Readings

The group was spoilt with readings this month:
- an untitled short piece by David G;
- Then Sings My Soul by Victoria Schmidt; and
- Skyblue by David M

David G's piece showed dramatic and comedic promise as a short two-hander about an already dysfunctional bride and groom.

Victoria's full-length script, based on her 10-minute monologue that electrified the 2009 Pasifika Forum, showed the group the challenges of expanding a short piece into a full-length play. The group looks forward to the next draft.

After group readings in December 2008 and May 2009 of earlier and varied incarnations of his project, David M finally had a complete draft to share. Feedback was balanced between those readers wanting more exposition and details, and those who were happy with filling in the blanks themselves.

Next Meeting --

-- will be on Thursday, 27 August at the Toi Ora Live Art Trust, 6 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn.

Scripts to be Read --

-- at the August meeting are welcome on a first-in, first-served and time-permitting basis. Only complete act/s for full-length plays, or complete one-act or short plays are read by the group. First-time attendees' scripts will not be read. Scripts will need to be printed and copied at the writer's expense.

To avoid disappointment, getting in touch with David or Jenni at least a week beforehand will increase the chances of your script being read.

July Report Delayed

2009-07-31T07:18:00.001+12:00

Flat out. Honest. Soon.

2009 JUKEBOX DEADLINE

2009-07-27T09:02:00.002+12:00

This is a gentle reminder that the deadline for entries into the Banana Boat 2009 Jukebox revue is Friday 31 July 2009. That's THIS FRIDAY.

Entry details can be found here.

What the entry details fail to mention are the following points:

each script must somehow include the following:
- banana,
- boat,
- "Day-o";

how you use the above elements is TOTALLY up to you.

How hard can that be, a?

NEXT FONO: 23 July

2009-07-15T22:15:00.001+12:00

The next fono is on THURSDAY, 23 JULY 2009 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. It will be held at the funky Toi Ora Live Art Trust Studio, 6 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn.

The agenda for the June fono is as follows:
- last minute announcements/notices/reminder about the 2009 Jukebox revue;
- announcement of the 2010+ Banana Boat development slate;
- a talk by The Trophy director, producer and co-writer JUSTINE SIMEI-BARTON;
- and the usual script reading and discussion.

25 June 2009 Meeting

2009-07-08T19:11:00.005+12:00

Welcome to the after-match report. Thank you for your patience.

Present were Arnette Arapai, Devo, Albert Belz, Matene Karena, Ole Maiava, Chetan Patel, Jonathan Riley, Amy Rountree, Eric Smith, Reverend Mua Strickson-Pua, Stan Wolfgramm, Jenni Heka and David Mamea.

Apologies were received from the still-globe-trotting Stacey Leilua, the enigmatic Nina Tapu, David Grierson, and the double-booked Michelle Johansson.

Stuff

Jenni kicked things off with reminders like:
- Matariki and all the theatre and writing opportunities available to the group during this auspicious time;
- Jukebox 2009 deadline is 31 July; and
- Banana Boat 2010 submissions have been received and are still being considered - expect an announcement by the next meeting.

Arnette followed up with an impassioned exhortation to the younger writers to do the Postgraduate Masters in Creative Writing at Victoria University in Wellington. What. Are. You. Waiting. For?

Guest Speakers

Wanjiku Kiarie shared her theatre experiences - both on- and behind-stage - from her early days in Kenya through to her time in New Zealand. She promoted the visit of Kenyan playwright Wakanyote Njuguna later in the year. Schedules permitting, Mr Njuguna could give a talk at the October Banana Boat meeting, or even hold a workshop on theatre with a unique perspective (at least for New Zealand). Watch this space.

Sydney resident Devo, in town for Matariki (among other things, I'm sure), is a member of Sydney writing group, Black Men Writing. He shared with the group the possibilities of staging shows: a space for an audience and actors is limited only by our imagination.

Reading

Albert shared the first act of his work in progress Raising the Titanics. The group was treated to a first draft chocker with solid characterisation and narrative through dialogue, behaviour and careful plotting.

Quote of the month goes to Mr Belz for his response to the question of how long it took him to write 35 pages of script: after thinking about it, he said, Since Monday.

Next Meeting --

-- will be on Thursday, 23 July at the Toi Ora Live Art Trust, 6 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn.

Scripts to be Read --

-- at the July meeting are welcome on a first-in, first-served and time-permitting basis. Only complete act/s for full-length plays, or complete one-act or short plays are read by the group. First-time attendees' scripts will not be read. Contact David for further information.

June Report Delayed

2009-07-01T22:40:00.002+12:00

I'm busy. And Jenni's recovering from the Matariki Hui (and if you weren't there WHAT WAS YOUR EXCUSE?).

Go to Facebook if you want some action.

NEXT MEETING: Thursday 25 June

2009-06-19T12:31:00.001+12:00

The next meeting is on THURSDAY, 25 JUNE 2009 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. It will be held at the funky Toi Ora Live Art Trust Studio, 6 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn.

The agenda for the June meeting is as follows:
- ARNETTE ARAPAI talking about the Victoria University Creative Screenwriting Course and WHY YOU SHOULD GODDAMMIT DO IT,
- a possible/probable talk by experienced playwright, WAKANYOTE NJUGUNA,
- building up to the 2009 Jukebox, and other dates to look forward to, and
- the usual script reading and discussion.

28 May 2009 Meeting

2009-06-08T10:21:00.001+12:00

Present were Arnette Arapai, Sara Cole, David Grierson, Ezekiel Kennedy, Ole Maiava, James Nokise, Chetan Patel, Eric Smith, Sima Urale, Jenni Heka and David Mamea.

Apologies were received from Mua Strickson-Pua, Wellington-bound Michelle Johansson, a bed-ridden Jonathan Riley, Phoenix Seve, a house-bound Matene, and a globe-trotting Stacey Leilua.

Housekeeping - through circumstance rather than any gender-typing behaviour on anyone's part - was done by Jenni who said:
- Jason Te Kare, Radio New Zealand producer, is looking for people to attend his Writing for Radio workshop;
- the Maori playwrights Matariki Hui is in early June, and all are welcome;
- Misa Tupou, who attended our February meeting, is planning a Honolulu Fringe Festival for October 2010;
- hot New Zealand playwright, Thomas Sainsbury, has new work that the group should savour: "Cindy and Eric Go To Hell" in early June;
- Albert Belz's "Whero's New Net" will be touring the country soon, and will be in Hamilton for those Banana Boaters wanting a road trip;
- further afield, Tania Muagututia's "Angels" is close to production, for those who'll be in the Garden City in the near future;
- and from the bedridden Mr Riley, Stir Fried Plays II are looking for ten-minute plays to put on in short order (no pun intended).

For further information, ask Jenni directly.

Script readings were kindly provided by Chetan and David M.

David provided the group with an old pilot script of his so that they could sink their teeth into a complete, longer-form script. He exhorted them to tear into it with their feedback and criticism. "I don't care for it any more," he said. "Don't hold back." He then showed everyone that even though the script was old and out of date, he still cared enough for it to politely disagree with most of the feedback and criticism.

Chetan shared the first act of his play in progress, "Road to Glory", with much laughter, support and comments. The group looks forward to the remaining two acts. No pressure, Chetan.

The next meeting will be on Thursday 25 June at the Toi Ora Live Art Studio, 6 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn.

Scripts to be read at the June meeting are welcome on a first-in, first-served and time-permitting basis. If you want them printed beforehand, they must by forwarded to David (david@dfmamea.com) by end of day Thursday 18 June. Scripts emailed after this date will need to be printed and copied at the author's expense. Only a complete act for a full-length play, or complete one-act or short plays are read by the group.

ARCHIVE - 23 April 2009 meeting

2009-05-04T14:05:00.001+12:00

Autumn greetings and images of waving palm trees to you.

Welcome to a late after-match report for the 23 April Banana Boat meeting.

Present were Matene, Ole Maiava, Chetan Patel, Stacey Leilua, Jonathan P Riley, Fasitua Amosa, Jenni Heka, Michelle Johansson, Eric Smith, Albert Belz, Stan Wolfgramm, Arnette Arapai, Victoria Schmidt and David Mamea.

Apologies were received from Lee Aholima and Nina Tapu.

Guest speaker playwright Albert Belz gave an inspiring talk to the group about his career to date, including his tour of duty with "Shortland Street", his process of writing and rewriting, and challenging being pigeonholed as 'a Maori playwright'.

Housekeeping included:
- a BIG REMINDER that the 2009 Pasifika Playwright Development Forum takes place on Saturday, 2 May;
- the weekend 2-3 May is the deadline for the 2010 Banana Boat season;
- a gentle reminder that Massive will have Lennie James in the country, a resource that Banana Boat would be silly to ignore;
- and a gentle reminder that the Jukebox deadline is a mere three months away.

Readings were generously provided by Ole Maiava and Eric Smith.

Ole's third draft of his Jukebox submission, "Skin Deep", showed the group how much a script can change through drafts.

Eric's own Jukebox submission, "Aitu", showed how some stories and inspiration can come from the strangest of places.

We had a further two scripts available for reading, by Chetan Patel and Phoenix Seve, but we had run out of time; they now have first dibs for the next meeting.

The next meeting will be on Thursday 28 May at the Toi Ora Live Art Studio, 6 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn. Please note the new street number - Toi Ora has shifted up the road, directly (and by destiny's hand) behind McDonalds Family Restaurant on Great North Road.

Scripts to be read at the May meeting are welcome on a first-in, first-served and time-permitting basis. If you want them printed beforehand, they must by forwarded to David by end of day Thursday 21 May. Scripts emailed after this date will need to be printed and copied at the author's expense. Only complete act for a full-length play, or complete one-act or short plays are read by the group.

ARCHIVE - 26 March 2009 meeting

2009-04-03T14:09:00.001+13:00

Warm, indian summer greetings to you all

Welcome to the after-match report for the 26 March Banana Boat meeting.

Present were Michelle Johansson, Lauie Sila, Eric Smith, Chetan Patel, Lee Aholima, Ole Maiava, Phoenix Seve, Jason Wu and David Mamea.

Apologies were received from Jenni Heka, Stacey Leilua, Stan Wolfgramm, Mua Strickson-Pua, James Nokise, Jonathan Riley and Ezekiel Kennedy. Bronwen Judd sent a Stateside shout-out.

2009-2010 Banana Boat Seasons

Draft one-pagers for the 2009 Jukebox and 2010 Banana Boat seasons were distributed and discussed. They are attached. They are, by and large, self-explanatory.

The only things set in stone are the dates. Specifics like entry criteria, process of development/production, how you can be more of a part of it, etc, will be advised in coming Banana Boat meetings.

Readings

Chetan Patel and Phoenix Seve generously shared their work with the group.

Chetan's piece, a first draft of his Jukebox submission, "The Cook's Son", provided a good amount of discussion on the craft of telling a complete story within a 10-minute running time.

Phoenix's piece, a complete second act of his full-length play, "The Fale of Troy", provided the group with some meaty back-and-forth on style, narrative and dialogue.

Props to Chetan and Phoenix for baring their writing to the group.

The next meeting will be on Thursday 23 April at the Toi Ora Live Art Studio, 6 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn. Please note the new street number - Toi Ora has shifted up the road, directly (and by destiny's hand) behind McDonalds Family Restaurant on Great North Road.

Scripts to be read at the April meeting should be emailed to David by end of day Thursday 16 April. Don't forget: only a complete act for a full-length play, or complete one-act or short plays will be read by the group.

ARCHIVE - 26 February 2009 meeting

2009-03-08T14:11:00.001+13:00

Welcome to the 26 February after-match report.

Present at the meeting were: Lee Aholima, Ben, Jenni Heka, Stacey Leilua, David Mamea, Chetan Patel, Jonathan Riley, Phoenix Seve, Eric Smith, Misa Tupou, Stan Wolfgramm.

Apologies were received from Ali Foa'i, Michelle Johansen, Ezekiel Kennedy and Zora.

Housekeeping The group can look forward to the following guest speakers this year, schedules permitting and stars aligning: Hone Kouka, Oscar Kightley, Albert Belz, and others.

2009-2010 Banana Boat Seasons

David Mamea did an awful job of pitching the following proposals to the group (just as well he has this after-match report to make sense with).

As noted in the January 2009 meeting, Jenni, David and Michelle Johannson drew up a two-year plan for the Banana Boat:
- the 2009 Banana Boat Jukebox Season where group members will write, develop and produce 10-minute plays to premiere in a revue-style show to premiere in November as part of the Manukau Festival;
- and the 2010 Banana Boat Season where the group can showcase full-length plays, but with development starting now.

The 2009 Banana Boat Jukebox Season:
- a revue of short plays by Banana Boat writers premiering in November 2009;
- each play must be ten minutes long; have a maximum of four actors; and contain 1 x banana, 1 x boat, and 1 x "Day-o";
- each revue night will show between four and five short plays;
- the season will be over three or four nights, in November 2009;
- any writer who has attended at least one Banana Boat meeting can enter;
- all writers who enter will be required to pull together a production crew (producer, director, actors) who will turn their script into a play.

The timeline is as follows (more specific dates will be advised soon):
- February-September - entries open
- September - deadline for all scripts
- October - deadline for crews to be in place
- November - Banana Boat Jukebox season!

The 2010 Banana Boat Season
- a possible double-bill of full-length plays to premiere in late 2010;
- this will be the platform from which any/all members can premiere their long-form plays;
- development starts now.

The 2010 season is open to all Banana Boat members. An eighteen-month development period is envisaged where plays will go from first draft, through to workshops, dramaturgy, and readings, until production and premieres in late 2010.

The timeline is as follows (proper dates will be advised soon):
- February-May 2009 - entries open
- June 2009 - candidates for official development announced
- July 2009-July 2010 - workshops and development
- November 2010 - Banana Boat season!

A document detailing both seasons will be emailed out soon.

The script reading for February was kindly provided by Eric Smith. Two snap-shots of male-bonding and -dynamics, the group forced Eric to dig deep with his writing and characterisations. Props to Eric for sharing, and we look forward to the next draft!

The whip-'round - a new feature of Banana Boat meetings - was introduced with no consultation by David. It's essentially a 'whatchabinupto?' for all in attendance. And it's great to see that most everyone is writing.

The next meeting will be on Thursday 26 March at the Toi Ora Live Art Studio, 19 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn.

Scripts to be read at the February meeting should be emailed to David by end of day Thursday 19 March. Don't forget: only a complete act for a full-length play, or complete one-act or short plays will be read by the group.

ARCHIVE - 22 January 2009 meeting

2009-02-15T14:12:00.001+13:00

Hot and sweaty Pasifika greetings to you all.

Our 22 January meeting saw the Banana Boat meet for the first time in 2009. Welcome to the after-match report.

Present at the meeting were: Arnette Arapai, Barbs Carpenter, Katrina Chandra, Ali Foai, Dianna Fuemana, Jenni Heka, Michelle Johanssen, Stacey Leilua, Ole Maiava, Tanya Muagututia, Jonathan P Riley, Eric Smith, Stan Wolfgramm and David Mamea.

Apologies were received from Bronwen Judd, Nina Tapu, Chetan Patel and Phoenix Seve.

Guest speaker duties were very kindly provided by Katrina Chandra, Agency Coordinator for Playmarket, who talked to the group about finding ideas, writing them into plays, and getting your plays out there to an audience - with Playmarket playing a role in representation and licensing, among other things. There followed some lively discussion around "not what [writers] can do for Playmarket, but what Playmarket can do for [writers]".

Housekeeping this month was covered by David Mamea who reported that, besides his usual tussles with Jenni over making-a-big-splash versus taking-the-long-term-view, and (her) reality checks versus (his) I-have-a-dream, at the moment, Banana Boat '09 comes down to:
- in order to put any production on, the group needs money;
- in order to get money from a funder like Creative New Zealand, the group needs something tangible like completed scripts to submit;
- and, as far as he was aware, the group has no completed scripts to apply for funding with.

In short, the group has a goal but, aside from a heap of talent and promise, nothing in place to achieve that goal. So. Jenni Heka, Michelle Johansson and David volunteered to meet before the February meeting to formulate a Real Plan for 2009 for the group to consider.

The script reading for January was courtesy of Ole Maiava. A short tale of preconceptions and familial love, the group enjoyed the reading, provided thorough feedback for Ole to play with, and look forward to the next draft.

The next meeting will be on Thursday 26 February at the Toi Ora Live Art Studio, 19 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn.

Scripts to be read at the February meeting should be emailed to David by end of day Thursday 19 February. Don't forget: only a complete act for a full-length play, or complete one-act or short plays will be read by the group.

ARCHIVE - 4 December 2008 meeting

2008-12-13T14:13:00.001+13:00

Season's greetings to you all.

Thursday 4 December saw the Pasifika Playwrights Group meet for the last time for 2008. Welcome to the after-match report.

Present at the meeting were: Arnette Arapai, Aroha Awarau, Jenni Heka, Bronwen Judd, Ezekiel Kennedy, Stacey Leilua, Ole Maiava, Tanya Muagututia, Chetan Patel, Phieng Phongsa, Jonathan Riley, Phoenix Seve, Eric Smith, Nina Tapu, Stan Wolfgramm and David Mamea.

Apologies were received from Michelle Johannson and Sandra Kailahi.

Group Name

After a few months of operating under the descriptive but mouthful of "Pasifika Playwrights Group", a new, ideally sexier, name has been mooted since September. Despite some last-second suggestions by Jonathan - the highlight being "Shak(in)spears" replete with Pasifika-style hunting/fishing spears in its emblem - BANANA BOAT garnered the most votes.

And then on the brink of ratification, Stan rightly pointed out that maybe BANANA BOAT should mean something - at the moment, it's just a name. With September 2009 screaming towards the group, it was agreed that BANANA BOAT be a working title of sorts, and open to change.

Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Thursday 22 January 2009 at the Toi Ora Live Art Studio, 19 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn.

2009

David and Jenni spoke about the challenges confronting the group, uppermost being that the inaugural BANANA BOAT SEASON is a mere ten months away. Things have to happen, like:
- scripts, if they're not already in progress, need to start now;
- full-length plays are not the only way to go - one act plays, short pieces and anything else in between (within reason) are welcome for consideration;
- the selection process will be done by assessors who will be independent of the group and/or its participants (ie., likely to be Palagi, male and middle-aged).

(There was also some discussion of The Edge's offer of The Basement as a venue but this has changed substantially since the 4 December meeting. Updates to follow.)

This is our tentative timeline:
- 22 JANUARY 2009 - monthly meetings resume
- MARCH - official call for submissions
- MAY - submissions close
- JUNE - selections made; teams are formed
- JULY - pre-production commences
- AUGUST - rehearsals commence
- SEPTEMBER - inaugural 2009 Banana Boat Season

'Ka fefe! E faigofie!

Readings

Scenes were read by the group and discussed in depth. Material was generously supplied by:
- Phoenix, from his play-in-development, "Fale of Troy";
- Eric, from his play-in-progress, "Le Va"; and
- David, from his radio-play-in-progress, "Skyblue".

Speaking of Eric and Phoenix's scenes - and all the other writing we've read at earlier meetings - the quality of writing we have amongst our group continues to astound me. The inaugural Banana Boat season is going to knock some socks (and jandals) off. I'm excited. Aren't you excited?

Scenes to be read at the next meeting are due to David by end of day Thursday 15 January 2009. Readings will be changing up a gear: no single scenes, please - either a complete act for full-length plays or complete one-act and shorter plays.

Jenni's busy with the Christmas spirit at the moment but I'm sure she'd like to spread the news that Arnette has been accepted onto the 2009 intake of prestigious Masters in Creative Writing Course (Scriptwriting) at Victoria University in Wellington.

ARCHIVE - 23 October 2008 meeting

2008-11-02T14:14:00.001+13:00

Yo sup, homes.

Our third meeting was held on Thursday, 23 October in the Toi Ora Live Art Trust Studio, and was another brilliant meeting of minds.

Highlights:
- Chapman-Tripp award-winning playwright Kirk Torrance, talked about his approaches to structure, and very generously answered heaps of questions on his work and craft; check out his next play, Flintlock Musket, being read at Double Shot at The Edge on 6 December 2008;
- a cooler name for the group was discussed and the front-runners are: Niu Voices, Niu Ink; Niu Blood; The Banana Boat; more suggestions welcome between now and the next meeting when all names will be put to a vote;
- a questionnaire was handed out for members' perusal and optional completion; a self-explanatory copy is attached;
- after a brief discussion, Jenni Heka, Michelle Johansson and David Mamea will look at putting together a funding proposal for the inaugural 2009 Banana Boat season;
- Jonathan Riley's scene, a romantic romp in Auckland Zoo, was read by the group with much hilarity, with Mark Amery gamely reading the part of a lavalava- and beanie-wearing Samoan fairy called Makigi;
- Eric Smith's scene, an intense cross-cultural family drama, provided the group with an excellent change of pace and tone, provoking in-depth discussion followed by Eric having to put up with demands of "What happens next?!";
- all of the above was done with Bayley Johansson, Bronwen Judd, Sandra Kailahi and Child, Ollie Maiava, Chetan Patel, Phoenix Seve, and Stan Wolfgramm also in attendance;
- and apologies were received from Fasitua Amosa, Tarisi Vunidilo, Louise Tu'u, Nina Tapu and Fiona Collins.

If you want to share your scene/s with the group, please email it/them to David by Thursday, 27 November 2008.

NEXT MEETING will be on THURSDAY, 4 DECEMBER 2008 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm - this is not the fourth Thursday of November; this will be the last meeting for 2008. It will be held at the funky Toi Ora Live Art Trust Studio, 19 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn.

And since this will be the last meeting for 2008, please bring a plate for some after-meeting eating and drinking.

Usually there'd be a word from our sponsor Playmarket, by way of Jenni, but she's pretty busy - but I'm sure she'd say something like...
- big ups to Chetan and Eric, whose script was chosen for development as part of Playmarket's Pasifika Playwright Development Forum for 2009; Ali Foa'i was the other playwright to be chosen for development;
- look at the Manukau Festival of Arts (www.mfa.org.nz) for some great free opportunities to learn and share and be inspired;
- and see you at the next meeting!

Thanks, ah, Jenni!

ARCHIVE - 25 September 2008 meeting

2008-10-03T14:15:00.001+13:00

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!