"To make it in life, we need eachother!"
Follow four orphans as they go on a journey of discovering their uniqueness and how to
celebrate each other’s differences.
Our Story
A vibrant cast of Pasifika Artists from Te Tau Ihu bring you Tupu.
A fun show for the kids that expresses themes of identity, belonging, kindness and resilience.
With covid making it hard for the arts industry to cope and our young learners finding it challenging to ease in to the classroom, the show Tupu teaches the importance of resilience and working together in these challenging times.
A fun show for all ages that incorporates a dance workshop with students prior to the show. These students become part of the show with the Tupu cast to celebrate local talent in each school.
Meet The Team
Onetoto Ikavuka
Writer / Curator
“Tupu rekindled a flame that I thought was burning out, but after being part of the show my love and
passion for the arts has grown.”
Vita Vaka
Director
"Tupu has been a fun process. As a professional with experience working in kids theatre with the amazing Healing Through Arts Trust in Auckland, I had always wanted to devise and give the young learners in the South Island the opportunity to experience and interact in a show with a positive message".
"My primary focus in Tupu was imparting into the local emerging artists and watch them grow as actors, dancers and vocalists. I enjoyed creating a safe space for them to devise freely in but most importantly learning to apply the fun and silly aspect of storytelling on a professional platform".
Terian Tenoa
Performer
“Opportunities like this aren’t very common in Marlborough. As a Pacific Island male I felt that Tupu
gave me the opportunity to be a role model to the next generation of upcoming artists. In Marlborough it is rare to see male pacific islanders pursue the creative arts, especially in shows like Tupu. I felt that just by standing on stage and performing would have inspired other pacific island youth and males to give the creative arts a go.”
Fili Fotu
Performer
“Being able to work alongside professionals gave me a different mindset and an insight of what it’s like working in the industry. Through the experience of Tupu I’ve gained a lot of confidence, resilience and personal growth as an artist. I’ve learnt techniques and strategies that I can use in my own practice in the future.”
“Not many opportunities for paid work for artist come up in Marlborough. Tupu gave me a platform to do something I love alongside creative professionals and be paid for it.”
Joshua Leota
Performer
“With the experience I had with Tupu , it flipped a switch for me making me want to grow as an artist especially in a region where the arts can be overlooked. Being able to experience high calibre directing, intense workshops and performing in a high-quality show was definitely what I needed to grow my artistic practice.”
Nicole Vaka
Project Producer
"Through the project we definitely saw role modelling of Pacific males as role models and pursuing alternative careers like the arts and getting paid for it, just like they would with any other jobs. It showed young children that this is something they can do as a career".
"I was speaking to a teacher from one of the Primary schools and she told me about a behavioural student that she was working with – he had been really into gangs and wanted to make money selling drugs and doing illegal activity, but after he watched Tupu, he asked the teacher if the performers get paid to do that. The teacher told them yes, I think they get paid really well and the student replied with “I think I want to do that performing stuff instead.”
"Tupu also allowed me to develop both my artistic and professional practice, especially on the producing side with rehearsal and show scheduling across all the schools".
Gallery
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Audience Insights
“The performers that their energy was amazing and they have absolutely beautiful singing voices.
Blenheim is very lucky to have such a talented organisation. I hope that we get to see more of you at
school!”
"I love the story you told about kindness, finding your strengths and teamwork. The music, songs and dance were awesome - what a talented bunch of young men! The storytelling was engaging andinteractive pitched at the right level for our primary school. The tamariki and teachers were smilingall the way through. Well done to all involved!"
"The show was a show for all ages! It was fun, and had a cool storyline that really got the students
hooked in. Absolutely awhi the opportunity for students to attend a workshop and be part of the
show as this promotes positive self-esteem. The show highlighted local talent and the joy of
performing was evident in their energy."
"Fun, interactive, variety, good message, appealed to all ages, talented performers."
"The juniors were captivated by the storyline and the older students were inspired by the dance
moves, raps and quality of the performers, knowing that they too could aspire to a career in the
performing arts."
“It was an outstanding, high-energy performance with great themes for kids to take home."
