Raru E Maruakaita
What It Is | Theatre
Match Donors
Each donation made will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to their matching amount.
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Boosted X Moana
Is matching up to $3,000
Overview
Kia orana turou oro mai!
Welcome to 1980's Mauke. After their parents death, Maruakaita is forced to become the sole caregiver of his younger sister Raru. With growing resentment and jealousy of her freedom, Maruakaita crafts a dangerous plan - but when Raru discovers his plot she decides to retaliate with one of her own ...
Debuting as a jukebox musical in 2023, Raru e Maruakaita explores grief, love, laughter and loss in a close-knit community.
Raru e Maruakaita opens at BATS Theatre on the 1st of February, 2023!
Why this show?
This show is one of family, culture, God and tradition, something that is strong within Polynesian cultures and across the ocean in Western worlds too. It touches on the struggles that young Polynesian men and women undergo in their communities and villages and brings forward topics that we are encouraged to not speak on. Mixed with comedy and a blend of modern and Cook Islands music, with a fusion of Cook Islands and contemporary dance, Raru e Maruakaita is a timeless masterpiece with its core themes translatable throughout all time periods and cultures.
Why are we needing funding?
Brilliant question!
As you probably know, theatre (like most arts) isn't cheap. We want to be able to pay our people for the time, effort and mahi they put into helping us create an awesome show!
Specifically, we want to split funding into two categories:
- We have a team of 19 working on this production, and with our current funds aren't able to pay a living wage for their work. With your help, we can significantly increase their pay (and smiles) by paying them a fair share of the Boosted funds.
- We also have big production ambitions. We want to build a set resembling various locations throughout Mauke one of them being the Ziona church (the 'divided church'), and spend what is needed to create an authentic atmosphere to set the show in. This is important to us, and we want to do it right for the show and for the people of Mauke.
Who are we?
Raru e Maruakaita is part of the lineup of shows for the 6 Degrees Festival, which is an annual celebration of works from Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington's MFA(CP) students. Poe Tiare and Hannah are two of these students collaborating in building this project.
- Poe Tiare Tararo (Mauke) | Writer/Director
- Hannah Taylor (Tāmaki Makaurau) | Production Manager/Producer/Dramaturg
- Sarai Perenise-Ropeti (Iwi: Ngati Porou. Samoa: Iva, Savai & Solosolo, Upolu. ) | Stage Manager/Mentor/Props Manager
- Teresa Tararo (Mauke) | Cultural Advisor
- Roy Iro (Rarotonga, Manihiki & Rakahanga) | Actor
- Te Ata Tu Patelesio | (Rarotonga, Atiu, Mauke & Mitiaro) Actor / Choreographer
- Justina-Rose Tua (Atiu, Mauke, Mitiaro & Rarotonga) | Actor/ Choreographer
- Meilani Payne (Atiu) | Actor
- Kingston Aporo (Rakahanga) | Musician
- Faipoto Aporo (Rakahanga) | Musician
- Henessey Aporo (Rakahanga) | Musician
- Denzel Leoata (Rakahanga) | Musician
- Miti Leoata (Rakahanga) | Musician
- Ngatokorua Teao (Rakahanga) | Musician
- Naychi Myo Min (Oire Nikao) | Publicist/Social Media Manager
- Tiernan Keane (Aitutaki) | Photographer/Videographer
- Jordana David (Mauke & Aitutaki) | Scenographer/Costume Manager| AV Designer and Operator
- Lachlan Oosterman (Te Awamutu) | Sound Operator/Set Builder
- Jimmy Williamson (Ōtepoti) | Lighting Designer and Operator
Thank you for your support for our project - we hope to see you in February!
Meitaki nui <3
Special thank-you's to Dr James Wenley, Kerryn Palmer, David O'Donnell, Sarah Thomasson, Theresa Adams, Nicola Hyland, Mīria George, BATS staff, Masters of Fine Arts Theatre Cohort, Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington and the wider Cook Islands Community. Your support throughout this process so far has been invaluable!
Donors
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Anonymous
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James Wenley
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Narleen Ruhe
Good luck everyone involved I’m sure it will be amazing
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Beef/Fish Lasagne
Project Updates
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