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Bringing Nz Theatre Direct To Your Classroom

Hugely popular, and largely aimed at Drama and English students (year 10-13), the Y&H Schools Tour visits schools throughout New Zealand during term 2 of each year.

A 50-minute no tech programme featuring extracts from plays written by some of New Zealand’s best playwrights on the NZQA prescribed reading list and performed by young emerging professional actors. An education pack is provided, and an optional workshop can also be booked.

THIS YEAR'S THEME

WHADDARYA? features extracts from Kiwi plays centred around the theme of New Zealand identity and what it means to be a New Zealander.

Steven Ray is an acclaimed playwright and director whose career has spanned theatre, TV, film and radio. He is a skilled teacher for young performers with a wide range of directing and performance knowledge. Steven replaces original director Shane Bosher who has taken on the role of dramaturg.

While our family whakapapa will determine much of our individual identity, WHADDARYA? explores identity through excerpts from plays that focus on important events in New Zealand’s history that have helped to shape who we are.

Plays covered
The Bellbird, Stephen Sinclair *
Waiora, Hone Kouka *
Wednesday to Come, Renee *
Rupture, Craig Thane
Foreskin’s Lament, Greg McGee *
Burn Her, Sam Brooks
Te Karakia, Albert Belz *
*NZQA Prescribed Playwright

FAQs

Yes. Our study guide includes:

  • A master script
  • Playwright bios and play synopses
  • A digital filming of the play
  • Notes and information from the creative team
  • Pre and post show activities tailored to exam requirements and prepared by arts facilitator Kim Bonnington.

Yes. An optional workshop can be booked for after the performance. The workshop allows students to explore the themes and concepts in the plays with the actors to enhance understanding.

The workshop will explore drama components as set out in the NZC to align how the elements, conventions, techniques and technologies in the show create ideas at specific moments.

  • Performed in traverse (audience sits on both sides of the performers to ensure an intimate experience)
  • Preferred performance space of (minimum) 9m by 5m
  • The performers will place some props at either end of the designated performance space.
  • Audience generally seated on the floor with some chairs at the back of the audience (for those people who cannot sit on the floor)
  • No lighting or sound set up required
  • Ideally suited to drama students in years 10-13
  • Designed for audience numbers from 25 – 150 (maximum audience)

The work is performed without stage lighting or a speaker system. So it’s a very easy set-up of normal house or room lights on full. The actors will set up their own props within the space.

Currently Y&H are working through our COVID-19 plans and how we would deliver the Y&H Schools Tour. We will update this section in due course.

One performance costs $750 +GST (maximum 150 people). Each additional performance at the same school, on the same day (booked at the same time), costs $350 +GST. An optional workshop is an additional $100 +GST. If you are finding funding difficult, there may be a school in your area you can share a performance with or we have a limited number of assistance grants that you may be eligible for.

An invoice for a non-refundable deposit of $250 +GST will be issued on booking. All deposits are to be paid before the tour starts. The invoice for the balance will be issued immediately after the performance day and is payable by the 20th of the month following.

Schools cancelling within 10 days of a scheduled performance will be invoiced for 50% of the balance due ($250 +GST). Schools cancelling within 48 hours of a scheduled performance will be invoiced for the full balance due ($500 +GST).

We do our best to cover as much ground in term 2 as possible. If you can’t see your area represented (see tour route info further down the page), or if the proposed tour dates to your area don’t fit, please talk to us, we will work hard to fit you in.

Term 2 Tour Route

Our 2021 Y&H Schools Tour provisional route, touring during term 2 is as follows. Please get in touch if your area is not represented, or the dates don’t work and we’ll do our best to include you.

Week 1: Wellington
Week 2: Nelson/ Marlborough/ Christchurch
Week 3: Mid & South Canterbury/ Otago
Week 4: Manawatu/ Taranaki/ Waikato
Week 5: Auckland
Week 6: Northland
Week 7: Auckland/ Coromandel/ Bay of Plenty
Week 8: Gisborne/ Hawkes Bay
Week 9: Wairarapa/ Wellington

Book your Y&H Schools Tour

From North to South, we are pleased to be able to offer our Y&H Schools Tour during term 2 of each year. Book your spot now!

Testimonials

The student audience was delighted and engaged. It’s great to see real acting craft with no frills… the transformations were real and right in front of our eyes.

Marion College

Takes the students to the parts of their brains that they need to explore and understand. What makes it even more valuable is the fact all the plays came from our neck of the woods…

Hamilton School