SGCNZ partners with Victoria University of Wellington
Victorious Partnerships
Whether it is Titania and Oberon loving their dreams, or Pyramus and Thise in their ‘mechanical’ courting, or the playful relationship of Beatrice and Bendick which evolves into true love, through to the darker side of Othello and Desdemona, Shakespeare plays out the full spectrum partnerships.
Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand (SGCNZ) needed a new partner when its previous one for 18 years was unable to continue to support its annual Shakespeare Festivals for rangatahi nationwide. How thrilled we were when Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington Provost, Professor Bryony James said that the University is delighted to take on sponsorship of this beloved and enduring annual event, saying, “The University is brimming with alumni of SGCNZ festivals, so this partnership is a natural fit.”
The festivals engage young people in combining deep analysis and interpretation of the great literature of the past with being courageous, communicating with creativity, and using innovation and imagination—providing fully transferable skills for life, and to take into further education.
“These are essential qualities for any university student, and not just those who go on to study Theatre,” says Professor Sarah Ross, Head of School, English, Film, Theatre, Media and Communication, and Art History.
You can see rangatahi from schools, homeschoolers, and community youth drama groups throughout the Wellington region perform 5-minute student-directed and 15-minute adult- or student-directed scenes from any of Shakespeare’s plays, any which way.
Therein lies another even longer-term partnership, with Wellington East Girls’ College being the home of SGCNZ’s Festivals since their inception in 1992. Owing to its growth, the National Festival had to move to the Michael Fowler Centre, and then the prestigious St James Theatre, once it was restrengthened.
“It is always exciting to see the enigmatic, poignant, hilarious and dramatic re-imaginings of the Bard’s works, remarked Dawn Sanders, SGCNZ CEO.
Some 80% of the scenes are student-directed, developing the confidence of these young people, their self-presentation and ability to manage their peers, invaluable in whatever career path they choose.
A 5-minute and a 15-minute scene will be selected from all the 24 Festivals around the motu for the National Festival, held in Wellington over King’s Birthday Weekend.
Out of the 48 rangatahi chosen from that for the 9-day SGCNZ National Shakespeare Schools Production intensive course, 24 progress to the pinnacle, spending two weeks at the Shakespeare Globe in London, doing workshops and being rehearsed, culminating in performing that stage.
“The Regional Festivals are hugely valued by all the participants and audience alike. Seeing is believing!”, said Sanders.