Dawn says, “We are thrilled that this relationship has been sealed, and look forward to it evolving across more of our activities in various ways, including engagement with University staff and our joint alumni, and venue spaces.”
Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington Provost, Professor Bryony James says the University is delighted to take on sponsorship of this beloved and enduring annual event, saying, “The University is brimming with alumni of SGCNZ festivals, so this partnership is a natural fit.”
The festivals engage young people in combining deep analysis and interpretation of the great literature of the past with being courageous, communicating with creativity, and using innovation and imagination—providing fully transferable skills for life, and to take into further education.
“These are essential qualities for any university student, and not just those who go on to study Theatre,” says Professor Sarah Ross, Head of School, English, Film, Theatre, Media and Communication, and Art History.
“Our vibrant programmes in the critical and creative arts are at the heart of the university’s identity, with connections with the arts community across the city and the country. SGCNZ alum already find their way into our arts degrees, and into degrees across our university. Through this direct partnership with the SGCNZ Shakespeare Festival, we look forward to engaging with rangatahi on our campus and across the city so that they can experience exactly what we have to offer.”
Dawn says, “This partnership is a good way to take the University name nationwide through the SGCNZ Victoria University of Wellington regional and national festivals. And as both organisations are based in Wellington, the partnership further strengthens and endorses the city’s cultural capital status.”
Professor James adds, “This partnership is also a wider investment in Wellington’s cultural reputation as a place where young people can create and experience performance, where a global text is reimagined for new times and places, and where we embrace the capacity of performance to transform, to educate, to challenge and to inspire people of all ages.”
SGCNZ Victoria University of Wellington Regional Festivals will be held across the motu from 25 March to 10 April. You can see rangatahi from schools, homeschoolers, and community youth drama groups perform 5-minute student-directed and 15-minute adult- or student-directed scenes from any of Shakespeare’s plays, any which way. Visit the SGCNZ website for the schedule.
Two groups from each festival will be selected to attend the SGCNZ Victoria University of Wellington National Festival in Wellington from 30 May–2 June. This will comprise workshops, tours, talks, attending local performances, and the groups performing in the prestigious St James Theatre, the scenes which were chosen from their regional festivals.
The National Festival also features the place-winners of the SGCNZ competitions for costume, poster, static image, and video title card design, and music composition and essay writing, alongside presentation of excellence, engagement, and innovation awards for the scenes.
Professor Ross says, “We are proud to join the 34-year legacy of the SGCNZ festivals, and look forward to seeing the passionate Shakespeare-lovers when they join our award-winning Arts programme at Te Herenga Waka.”