MIT Performing Arts Students Take On Classic West Side Story

Thursday 21 July 2011

MIT Performing Arts Students Take On Classic West Side Story With South Side Flavour

Manukau Institute of Technology’s (MIT) School of Performing Arts will showcase the immense talent of its students in their very first production this August, when they take on Arthur Laurent’s 1950’s classic "West Side Story". This Broadway musical, directed by David Coddington, is sure to please with performers fully embracing their characters with mature voices and a little added South Auckland flavour.

This production marks a new direction for MIT as it brings together the creative skills of students from the Faculty of Creative Arts and across the Institution.

Director of Academic Operations at MIT, Peter Quigg commented, “This ambitious undertaking is a first for MIT, as this is the debut year of our new Performing Arts programme that we have developed in conjunction with South Seas Film and Television. We know you will be impressed by the professionalism of the Performers and thoroughly enjoy the show”.

Choreography and costume design will be taken on by award-winning independent performance artist and choreographer Cat Ruka (Ngapuhi, Waitaha, Pakeha) who is the Head Dance Lecturer for the School of Performing Arts at MIT. Having trained at the University of Auckland, Cat now performs internationally and has spoken as a Maori Dance expert in Aotearoa.

MIT School of Performing Arts Singing Lecturer, Jason Te Mete will enhance the musical styling of the production, bringing with him a wealth of experience in theatre both on stage and behind the scenes. Ruka and Te Mete both promise to hit hard, incorporating modern techniques and allowing the students to showcase their talent in a first class production.

The set, designed by Becky Ehlers, will be painted by students from the MIT School of Visual Arts and makeup and hair will be created by students from the School of Hair and Beauty.

"Our students have banded together to make this production possible with Visual Arts students assisting with key design elements and our Hair and Beauty students who will be responsible for the stunning looks of the cast. ” says Peter Quigg.

West Side Story will be at TelstraClear Pacific: Genesis Energy Theatre in Manukau for three days with matinee and evening performances over Friday 19, Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 August with tickets available later this month from Ticket Direct www.ticketdirect.co.nz or through TelstraClear Pacific Box Office.

Witness the creative spirit of Manukau Institute of Technology blast onto the stage. This is a show not to be missed.

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