Unitec Performing & Screen Arts set for Grad Season 2011

Unitec Performing & Screen Arts set for Grad Season 2011

by Peter Rees
8 November, 2011

A busy month for Unitec's Department of Performing and Screen Arts kicks off this Friday with the opening shows of the Graduation Plays: Quad Bill at the Unitec Theatre. The plays, which run from 11-19 November mark the start of Unitec's Performing and Screen Arts Graduation Season 2011.

Other events happening over the next month are the writing graduates showcase: R-evolution (24-27 November) at the Unitec Theatre and Dance Foyer, the end of year United Dance Showcase 2011: Touch. Pause. Engage on 1-4 December at the Raye Freedman Centre, the Film and Television Grad Screening at St Lukes Cinema on Monday, 28 November and the Performing and Screen Arts Alumni Reunion, taking place during the Grad Show week of the Faculty of Creative Industries and Business on Friday, 2 December at Building One.

The Graduation Plays kick off the PASA Grad Season and will see the graduating Year 3 acting class cast in four fantastic plays from around the world. Two plays will play as a Double Feature on alternating nights (no show Sunday).

The Graduation Plays open on Friday at 7pm with Radiance, written by Australian playwright Louis Nowra and directed by guest New Zealand director, Anna Marbrook. Set in Northern Australia, three sisters (played by Unitec Year 3 actors; Courtney Abbot, Sarah Taylor and Phoebe Borwick) reunite after the death of their mother and must face up to their dark pasts.

The second play of the double feature is 4 the Love of Losi, written by 2009 Unitec writing grad, Danny Aumua and directed by Shimpal Lelisi (Sione's Wedding). Set in Auckland, this new Polynesian romantic comedy is a play about player (Losi, played by Fia Pelesasa) looking for true love amongst a throng of flames vying for his attention.

On Saturday night, the second Double Feature gets under way with David Mamet's The Water Engine, a play set in 1930s Chicago and directed by guest director, Jeff Szusterman (Shortland Street). The play centres on an invention that captures the imagination but what seems like the American Dream turns into the American Nightmare.

The final show is Artaud at Rodez, where audience members will be escorted from the theatre to the old gym at building 202, which is the setting for this harrowing play. Antonin Artaud is probably the single greatest force on the contemporary stage. Writer Charles Marowitz draws on exclusive material obtained from friends and confidantes, depicting a series of imaginary scenes based upon the true incidents of Artaud's life and his incarceration as a madman in the asylum at Rodez. Using Artaud's own Theatre of Cruelty techniques Marowitz tells, what is perhaps the cruelest story of all: the way in which society methodically destroys the maverick artist who attempts to defy it.

Unitec staff can enjoy these plays at a specially discounted price of $10 to see two shows per night. Students are only $5. If you haven't experienced theatre and seen the acting talent here at Unitec, this is not to be missed. Unitec is proud of its strong links with the theatre and screen industries and the long list of grads who have gone to be prominent names on stage and screen in New Zealand is testament to that enduring legacy. Come see the next generation of drama talent emerging from Unitec.

For a full schedule and to book tickets go to iTICKET.co.nz. Book now or call (09) 361 1000. Booking fees may apply.

What's On?

DOUBLE FEATURE A: (11, 14, 16 & 18 Nov)

Radiance (A Stage Performance of the Screenplay), 7pm
By Louis Nowra
Directed by Anna Marbrook

4 the love of Losi - A play about a player, 8:30pm
By Danny Aumua
Directed by Shimpal Lelisi / Oscar Kightley- Dramaturg/Mentor

DOUBLE FEATURE B: (12, 15, 17 & 19 Nov)

The Water Engine - An American Fable, 7pm
By David Mamet
Directed by Jeff Szusterman

Artaud at Rodez, 8:30pm
By Charles Morowitz
Directed by Kacie Stetson

Venue: Unitec Theatre, Building 6, Entry 1, Carrington Rd, Unitec Mt Albert campus, Auckland

ENDS

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