Aumangea Project

Building resilience through theatre

The Aumangea Project uses practical performing arts tools to support our tamariki to be brave, bold and resilient. Pupils experience live theatre, then engage with the creative team to gain a deeper understanding of the work they've seen.
Schools then work with their pupils, alongside a local arts industry professional, to create responses which highlight key themes. The resulting responses are presented at Toitoi, giving tamariki the chance to perform on-stage in a professional theatre.

The curtain goes up

The final presentation at Toitoi is an immersive, performing arts experience for students. They will tour the venue, then rehearse on the stage with the Creative Director or play games with the Toitoi team. The day ends with a performance for parents and whānau in the afternoon, where each school performs their response to the production seen earlier in the term.

What do we do?

The Aumangea Project works with teachers to develop effective performing arts tools which meet their school's needs, providing dynamic professional learning opportunities to empower kaiako (teachers) and akonga (pupils). We create and provide a professional children’s theatre experience in local schools, while building a safe environment at school where students can use drama strategies to process their emotions in response to a professional theatre work. And we create opportunities for local tamariki to experience the awe of performing in a professional theatre.

Who's involved?

The Aumangea Project needs a lead teacher from each school to work alongside Toitoi's team with your students. Your lead teacher will be a point of contact for the Toitoi team, will work with us to develop your pupils' response throughout Term 2 and will run your rehearsals.

In 2021, the following schools took part in the Aumangea Project - Camberley School, Ōtāne School, Pukehou School, Flaxmere School, Irongate School, Hastings Central School, Peterhead School and Havelock North Intermediate.

Want to be part of it?

For more information about the Aumangea Project, or to enquire about our 2022 programme, please phone Toitoi Presenter Services - Community Manager Daniel Betty on 027 263 7694 or email him at danielb@toitoivenues.co.nz