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Groundbreaking Australian stage spectacular in NZ

Published: Fri 24 May 2019 01:16 PM
Groundbreaking Australian stage spectacular to make international debut in New Zealand next week
Groundbreaking Australian theatre company, Wild Dreamer Productions is set to make its international debut with stage spectacular MEERA playing six shows in New Zealand next week.
MEERA, the brainchild of creative director, Aarti Bajaj, is the ambitious first offering from Wild Dreamer Productions - a sumptuous stage show featuring drama, dance and music.
“MEERA is a bold love story about a royal princess who believes in her forbidden love to such a degree that she is willing to go against the norms of society for her love,” said creative director, Aarti Bajaj.
After MEERA’s success on the Gold Coast, selling out the 1,100 seat Arts Theatre at Home of the Arts, Ms Bajaj made the bold decision to take the production international to Auckland, New Zealand where she has been working closely with local talent ahead of MEERA’s run at the ASB Waterfront Theatre from the 31 May-2 June.
MEERA has been more than 14 years in the making, with Ms Bajaj, who lives on the Gold Coast, balancing her career as a medical sonographer with her passion for the performing arts.
Ms Bajaj is the driving force behind the production, working with talented creatives throughout Australia and the world on everything from the choreography, narration, music, lighting, story, marketing and so much more.
“In MEERA, there are eight dance forms; Indian classical, Indian contemporary, tap, jazz, ballet, African contemporary, aerial and pole. The Maori Haka will also feature in the New Zealand production."
During the writing process, Ms Bajaj altered the interpretation of MEERA to fit a wider audience.
“I wanted to take all of the religious aspects out, and only focus on the pureness of love in the story,” said Ms Bajaj.
“Love is common for every living being, we all can have different religions and beliefs, but we all have one common expression, and that is love.
“Everyone can recognise this theme when they walk into the auditorium, no matter where they come from, or what they believe.
Ms Bajaj bans the use of the words “white” and “brown” on set, as she aims to present actors, dancers, singers and composers a platform to showcase their talent, without being hindered by their ethnicity.
“It simply means when someone’s selecting an artist for a role their colour shouldn’t matter, their ethnicity or where they come from shouldn’t matter, it should be more what their talent is and what they can offer,” said Ms Bajaj.
“It is important to me to bring the inclusion and diversity together on stage and to ensure the story itself is more powerful than what colour or what background the actor or character is.”
Another major motivation for Ms Bajaj is to create a platform where she can give different artists the opportunity where they don’t need a profile to share their talent - if they have talent she intends to bring the platform to them.
"The primary vision and ethos of Wild Dreamer Productions is to bring local talent together wherever the production goes," said Ms Bajaj.
“My ultimate goal is for MEERA to see all the beautiful stages and audiences across the globe, to sing out beautifully and loudly so everyone can get involved.”
The stage spectacular will play six shows at the ASB Waterfront Theatre in Auckland on the 31st of May, 1st of June and 2nd of June.
Learn more about this exclusive production here:
Meera: Preview 2018 Gold Coast Production
Meera: Interview with Aarti Bajaj (Creative Director)
Wild Dreamer Productions Website
Meera: Facebook
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