NTi    NEWSLETTER
March 2002

 

Hi there,

We are well into the New Year, with Easter looming, firstly thanks to all
those who joined us for a drink just before Christmas, it was a great night
and a good way for us to end the year.

Our next get together is on Monday 25 March at the Cavalier Tavern, 7pm and at this meeting we hope to give you a progress report on The Garage Site behind the Town Hall. A business plan is currently with Ernst and Young and by Mid March we should have a clearer idea of whether or not this building is an option for our 350 seat flexiform venue.

Thank you to all of those who have renewed your membership.  We are coming up to our second birthday in June and while many dream of laying foundations soon, it is realistic to imagine that if there is Council support for the Garage Site a venue may be open in 2004/2005.

With these time lines in mind it is more important than ever to have your
support and goodwill behind the project and NTI's aims and objectives.  We can all participate in working towards a healthy and vital arts community in Auckland and your support of NTI is one way in which to do this.

We recently celebrated our second series of development workshops at Unitec over Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 February. Thanks must be given to Unitec for donating their spaces again and to Anna Cameron for her excellent organisation.

Six groups participated and will break now for two months to rework
concepts, ideas and scripts - coming together again in April.  Those
participating over the first weekend included:

  • Christian Penny and David Geary - "The Point on the Hill".  Theatre. With actors Robert Pollock, and Jackie Van Beek.
  • Kate Parker- "The Butcher's Daughter".  Physical theatre. John Bolton (Australia), director. Duncan Sarkies, dramaturg.  With actors Paulo Rotondo and Phil Brown.
  • Norelle Scott- "Lost in a Sea of Women" Writer.  Theatre.  James Beaumont, director. Actors, Anna Cameron, Claire Waldron, Nicola Kawana, Michael Morrissey, Donogh Rees
  • Raj Varma - "A Little Hero". Theatre. Justin Lewis and Gary Henderson, dramaturg. Colin Moy, director. Rattan Thakurdas - musician
  • Helen Varley Jamieson - "The Phone Booth." Theatre.  Ros Gardner, director. With actors Tracey McGuire and Michelle Langston and Damon Thompson
  • Melanie Turner and Veronique Desmet - "Roses Are Red". Dance and multimedia. Mentors Susan Jordan, Dancers - Sarah Sproull and Damon Thompson and Tasha Alpe

    NTI received funding from Creative New Zealand, Auckland City Council and North Shore City Council towards these workshops.

    If you have not renewed your annual subscription of $20 we really need you to as NTI operates as a charitable organisation with all funds reinvested back into the project or the arts community.

    Please print off the membership form today and return to:

    The New Theatre Initiative
    PO Box 78157 (Please note our new postal address)
    Grey Lynn
    Auckland

    Please join us on Monday 25 March at the Cavalier Tavern, College Hill, Ponsonby, from 7pm to find out the latest news and to take the opportunity to catch up with old friends in a relaxed atmosphere, over a quite drink.

    We look forward to seeing then.

    Kind regards


    New Theatre Initiative Executive.