Go Solo (emerging performers)
Each year the actors in the A3 graduating year at Toi Whakaari are required to devise, rehearse and perform a solo piece for the stage — the event is called Go Solo.
As part of its brief to connect with the community and in support of emerging artists (in this case, actors) the Radio NZ drama department views all of the Go Solo presentations each year and selects up to four pieces for adaptation to radio.
2011 Autumn Season of New Drama: the newest of the new
Please Help Yourself written and performed by Tess Jamieson
with Meg Alexander, Duncan Smith, Sebastian Macaulay
Tess Jamieson grew up in Mahina Bay, Eastbourne before going on her gap 'year' after high school - the gap actually lasted five years. She returned from the UK in 2007 and entered the acting course at Toi Whakaari from which she graduated in 2010. Tess was accepted into the Emerging Performers Traineeship at Radio New Zealand Drama. Tess is a Wellington-based actor and lives in Petone.
- Please Help Yourself by Tess Jamieson
- Sell, sell, sell! But what is she really selling? And who cares? The pressure of high pressure selling to customers who really just want to be left alone to shop becomes too much for Sarah who dreams of traveling and joining an ashram in India. (duration: 20′10″)
- Download: Ogg Vorbis MP3
Producer: Adam Macaulay
Engineer: Phil Benge
The Election by written and performed by Simon Leary
with Duncan Smith, Jason Te Kare, Adam Macaulay
Simon Leary graduated from the Toi Whakaari Acting course in 2010. He is already making his way as a talented actor but also as a very accomplished writer and in early 2011 was invited to join the writing/acting team of the hit podcast radio serial, You Me…Now! A crash course in love.
- The Election by Simon Leary
- School Senior Zach is a candidate for head boy at his high school. So is his lover and the principal’s son, Henry. Zach ‘comes out’ but when he has the chance to out Henry and secure a win for himself and his cause he has to make a difficult choice. (duration: 21′09″)
- Download: Ogg Vorbis MP3
Producer: Adam Macaulay
Engineer: Phil Benge
I Love You ... toru, wha! written and performed by Moana Ete (Ngai Tahu)
with Michael Leota
Moana Ete graduated from Toi Whakaari in 2010. She is a talented singer/songwriter of Samoan and Māori heritage and is fluent in both languages. Moana started singing at a young age at the Congregational Church of Samoa in Wellington. Today, Moana pursues a career in singing as a recording artist.
- I Love You ... toru, wha! by Moana Ete
- Sami has always struggled to understand her mother and their strained relationship. Her mother was a very promising singer but with the arrival of Sami and as a result of marrying a minister her mother’s dreams have ended. Living through Sami’s musicality could be the answer, but Sami is more interested in boys. (duration: 15′01″)
- Download: Ogg Vorbis MP3
Producer: Jason Te Kare
Engineer: Phil Benge
Who's Gonna do the Karanga?
Matariki Whatarau (Ngati Kahungunu ki Heretaunga, Ngati Raukawa ki te Tonga and Ngati Whanaunga) graduated from Toi Whakaari in Wellington in 2009 and is a Wellington-based actor.
- Who's Gonna Do the Karanga by Matariki Whatarau
- A multi-character study about a large whanau. After an argument with his sister, Whai runs away from home. His dad spends the next day looking for him but knows Whai wouldn’t have gone too far. Tomorrow is a big day for Whai’s mother and there’s no way he would miss it. (duration: 16′56″)
- Download: Ogg Vorbis MP3
Producer: Jason Te Kare
Engineer: Phil Benge
Battered by Jessica Grace Smith
Jessica grew up in Dannevirke and at the age of 17 went to live in Argentina. When she returned she tried studying a variety of things including law, psychology, linguistics and Spanish. She tried working a variety of jobs including being a United Nations delegate's liaison and translator, a law secretary and a zookeeper. Because she was still searching for her real passion she decided to give acting a go and completed a Diploma in Stage & Screen Arts at NZCOPA in association with Whitireia Polytechnic, before auditioning and being accepted into Toi Whakaari. In 2009 Jessica co-produced and co-wrote the graduation film with industry professional Jason Stutter.
- Battered by Jessica Grace Smith
- This story tells of a woman's journey from ‘battered’ wife to a woman who breaks free and, like the character in her romance novel, finally takes her life in her own hands. (duration: 18′55″)
- Download: Ogg Vorbis MP3
Here... Forever
Romy Hooper graduated from Toi Whakaari in Wellington in 2009. She is something of a voice specialist having had extensive vocal training and taught voicework herself. She is an Auckland-based actor.
- Here Forever by Romy Hooper
- A multi-character study set in the waiting room of a small hospital. Norma is an older woman, a lonely hypochondriac who is forever finding excuses to visit the nurses. Chelsea is a high school girl with an eating disorder, a resident at the hospital. She wants to be anywhere but there. Dave is the young father to be whose life changes when he holds his new baby. (duration: 15′31″)
- Download: Ogg Vorbis MP3
Producer: Adam Macaulay
Engineer: Phil Benge
Memory Lapse
Kristyl Neho (Ngāpuhi, Ngati Kahungunu) was born in Levin and raised in Havelock North as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She graduated from Toi Whakaari National Drama School in 2008. Kristyl’s Go Solo piece has since been picked up by Nina Nawalowalo, Tom McCrory and Briar Grace Smith. She is currently working on the 2009 Conchus Season at Bats Theatre.
- Memory Lapse by Kristyl Neho
- Set in the house of over protective grandparents. Natasha comes round for family home evening, but Nan decides she’s no longer welcome in the house. (Go Solo 2008) (duration: 18′50″)
- Download: Ogg Vorbis MP3
Producer: Jason Te Kare
Engineer: Jason Te Kare
Eyes the Colour of Diamonds
Sophie Hambleton graduated from Toi Whakaari New Zealand Drama School in 2007. She co-wrote, produced and performed in VÜNDERBRA!, set and performed in a lingerie shop for the 2008 Wellington Fringe Festival. That same year she also travelled to Colorado for the GALSCO Summer Picnic Theatre Festival. She was nominated for most promising female newcomer at the 2008 Chapman Tripp Theatre awards for her role in The Little Dog Laughed at Downstage Theatre. Film credits include Second Hand Wedding and Home By Christmas.
- Eyes the Colour of Diamonds by Sophie Hambleton
- A young Irish maidservant dreams of a better life in Paris and of falling in love with a man who has eyes the colour of diamonds. (Go Solo 2007) (duration: 14′45″)
- Download: Ogg Vorbis MP3
Producer: Adam Macaulay
Engineer: Phil Brownlee
He Calls a Spade a Spade
Paul Harrop is a recent graduate from Toi Whakaari New Zealand Drama School. In November of 2008 he was part of the first group through to the Radio New Zealand Emerging Performer Traineeship where he helped devise, write and perform the radio play Dead Man's Pedal. As well as lending his voice to the radio Paul has also worked in theatre around Wellington and TV and film and works with production company Chess Club productions.
- He Calls a Spade a Spade by Paul Harrop
- A mother tries to prepare her socially inept and straight–talking son, Billy, for the real world. A dedicated park bench may be the answer. (Go Solo 2008) (duration: 15′35″)
- Download: Ogg Vorbis MP3
Producer: Adam Macaulay
Engineer: Phil Benge
Hay Daze
A born and bred Dunedinite, Tansy Hayden is a diverse actor with a passion for making her own work. She recently wrote, produced and acted in the production Keep It Rural for the Wellington Fringe Festival and was part of the Toi Whakaari graduate production of AoTERRORoa. Inspiration for her recent work comes from the people, places and memories of family holidays on a farm, and exploring society's expectations and ideals of women.
- Hay Daze by Tansy Hayden
- A Southland ex-beauty queen stands in a field contemplating her past and her future after having recently run her husband and his mistress over in a ute. (Go Solo 2008) (duration: 15′41″)
- Download: Ogg Vorbis MP3
Producer: Jason Te Kare
Engineer: Adam Macaulay
Nightbloom
Since graduating from Toi Whakaari New Zealand Drama school, actor and director Sophie Roberts has appeared in Angels in America, A Streetcar Named Desire, Blood Wedding, Jeff Koons and Wolfs Lair. Her directing credits include Mr Marmalade, Blinkers, and the Toi Whakaari season of Go Solo. Sophie is also the co-artistic director of Almost a Bird Theatre Collective.
- Nightbloom by Sophie Roberts
- Set in a greenhouse and features a ‘Southern Belle’ character – the night blooming tobacco plant - who is waiting for her lover, the creeper to arrive. (Go Solo 2007) (duration: 18′25″)
- Download: Ogg Vorbis MP3
Producer: Adam Macaulay
Engineer: Phil Brownlee
Northern Lights: After Party
Bryony Skillington graduated from Toi Whakaari New Zealand Drama School in 2007. She has performed at BATS Theatre in her one woman cabaret Get Cuffed and (Not) The All India Radio Show. She has also performed in Kidzstuff theatre company's Puss n Boots, The Pied Piper and Cinderella productions. Recent television credits include Nurse Penny Seegar in Shortland Street and children’s sitcom Emu, made for English television.
- Northern Lights After Party by Bryony Skillington
- Set in Northern England. A young mother sits amidst the ruins of a birthday party and considers all she has lost. (Go Solo 2007) (duration: 12′41″)
- Download: Ogg Vorbis MP3
Producer: Adam Macaulay
Engineer: Phil Brownlee
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About us
The Drama Department commissions new writing and seeks to work with New Zealand’s best writers. Each year, up to 30 hours of new drama and comedy more than 200 readings (one-off short stories and serialised book readings), and over 50 new children's stories are produced.
email: DramaInfo@radionz.co.nz
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