When I was 13 I joined Milford Little Theatre and helped with lighting at The PumpHouse Theatre.
I was a shy and awkward teenager who had a very limited experience of the performing arts. Whilst I was there, I met playwrights, directors, crew and actors, all of whom had something in common with me. A passion for being involved in theatre.
It raised my confidence and blew my mind to realise I was entitled to creative expression. It inspired me to become a director and to pursue my dream of becoming the manager of The PumpHouse. The development of talent that goes on at here excites me hugely both as a manager and a director, because I can see the possibility of those young people taking a similar journey.
We host a lot of children’s theatre, because we want to inspire them to get involved. The PumpHouse is in a unique position to provide young people with opportunities to get on stage or backstage, and to simply ‘give it a go’. For some of those children, like my young self, their experience here could inspire a life and career in the performing arts.
We’ve got two very exciting seasons this month from Rangitoto College and the North Shore Gang Show (North Shore Scouts and Guides Association). It would be great if you could come along and support them - come with your children to see if they’d like to get involved.
The Merry Wives of Windsor By William Shakespeare
This exciting modern revenge comedy sees an ensemble cast of Rangitoto College’s talented senior students, directed by Allan Roberts, explore jealousy, marriage, deceit and shows Shakespeare’s greatest celebration of women and Girl Power!
This marks the eleventh Rangitoto College Senior Shakespeare production. Students with a passion for Shakespeare eagerly audition each year to be a part of the Senior Shakespeare ensemble. They do it not for grades, but for the love of performing the Bard’s works and the overall challenge of the production experience.
Aug 8 – 10. General Admission $15.
Let the Game Begin
In an age where children’s imaginations seem to only get filled with high tech animated characters, things that shoot or explode, and dead things coming to life in the grossest ways, this year’s show presents a more traditional fantasy. These childhood fantasies are presented at pace with music and lighting effects to enhance them, and all through the challenge of “The Game”.
This fun-filled show for the whole family will have you in stitches one minute, and with tears of joy the next.
Brought to you by Scouts and Guides from across Auckland, this is pure youthful delight - North Shore Gang Show continues its proud history of presenting quality family entertainment, whilst showcasing the talents of the young people in the Scout and Guide organisations.
Aug 23 – Sep 1. Tickets from $20.
