Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School

Summary

Taking enrolments from international students for August intake.  

The delivery of this course is blended so students are expected to be present in-person and on-site for some parts of delivery. Outside of the in-person workshops there will be interactive delivery via online classes and tutorials.

Enrolling now for Master of Creative Performance Practice a qualification that provides learning via a practice-based research model that encourages students to explore and deepen their own and others’ creative performance practices via a decolonised world view. This programme is designed for active professionals working within the performing arts throughout Aotearoa, Te Moana Nui a Kiwa and the world, who wish to examine and strengthen their own creative practices through a critical lens.

The structure of the programme encourages students to apply advanced research, critical and cultural skills and knowledge to a creative project to advance their area of focus. Delivery will be dynamic and interactive, and achieved through a blend of online classes, intensive workshops, group and one-to-one tutorial support, direct mentoring/supervision from academic staff and industry professionals and research through creative practice. The design of this programme allows flexibility for individuals who are managing work/life commitments to not have to be in Wellington on-campus full time.

This Level 9, 180 credit programme, is a Master’s Degree (primarily by thesis) and may be awarded to participants who have successfully completed the core papers over three consecutive semesters full-time (1.5 years), or over a maximum of six semesters part-time.

The core papers are:

•         Research Methodologies for Creative Performance [30 credits]

This course provides students with the academic skills necessary to engage with post-graduate study, familiarise themselves with the whakapapa of academic research, and investigate how research can be harnessed to explore contemporary ideas pertaining to the value and practice of creativity.

This paper is taught by Dr Michelle Johansson. Michelle is a Tongan mother, theatre-maker and educator. She serves as Kaiwhakahaere at Māia Centre for Social Justice and Education, the Creative Director of the Black Friars and Kāuru Kura | Director of Education at Ako Mātātupu: Teach First NZ. Michelle has had a long career in education, as a secondary school teacher; a lecturer and tutor at the Universities of Auckland and Melbourne, and as Head of Performing Arts at Manukau Institute of Technology. She currently serves on a number of boards of trustees, and is Chair of the Basement Theatre Trust.

•         Decolonizing Creative Contexts [30 credits]

This course provides students with the opportunity to explore their own and others creative performance practices through a decolonised world view. Students will consider the cultural contexts of the hegemonic Western knowledge system, applying a critical lens to the selection of research methods for their creative kaupapa.

This paper is taught by Juanita Hepi, Kāi Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Wai, Ngāpuhi, is a multidisciplinary storyteller exploring the intersections of race, class and gender through Indigenous storytelling. She holds a Masters of Māori and Indigenous Leadership, a Graduate Diploma of teaching and Learning and a Bachelor of Arts from Toi Whakaari, the NZ Drama School. Juanita has performed across Aotearoa and at Shakespeare’s Globe in London. Produced and directed for the CSO, CMNZ and directed shows for The Court Theatre, Mahi Mahi Productions and Taki Rua. Juanita currently runs Te Whare Tapere, a Maori and Indigenous house of storytelling in Ōtautahi. She lectures at Toi Whakaari, the NZ Drama school and guest presents on a number of kaupapa from soil health, sovereignty, writing, and curatorial practice. Juanita has 3 tamariki, and they are all encouraged to be haututu too.

•         Thesis: Creative Project [120 credits]

This course provides students with the opportunity to apply advanced research, critical and cultural skills, and knowledge to a creative project (thesis) to advance their area of focus. Students will attend a series of wānanga where they will participate in a collaborative environment through sharing, testing and critically reflecting, towards the development of a unique creative project. Students will be encouraged and supported to utilise novel or existing kaupapa which sit outside colonised practices and that ...