BREAKING GROUND
These are extraordinary times – and it is during times such as these that the voices of our writers become more vital, urgent and necessary than ever before. In 2022, Breaking Ground presents our 13th annual festival season. Over the last year particularly, Tawata Productions has learnt more deeply that our development festival is a space that needs to be held with care – so that our writers can continue to search, question, evolve and refine their thoughts.
This year, Breaking Ground launches a new development stream – Advanced Development – a custom built programme that supports a returning festival writer in a closed door development process. Our Advanced Development stream is to focus support on a work ahead of a premiere season.
Developing new writing for Breaking Ground 2022 are writers Joe Dekkers-Reihana (Ngāpuhi), Nathan Mudge (Kūki ‘Āirani) & Mycah Keall (Taranaki, Te Whānau-a-Apanui), Jessica Latton (Ngāti Wheke, Waitaha, Kai Tahu) and Teherenui Koteka (Kūki ‘Āirani). Our inaugural Advanced Development stream are writers Natano Keni (Samoa) & Sarita So (Khmer Aotearoa). Seven playwrights are developing five new works for the stage.
Festival Actors Jarod Rawiri & Manuel Solomon
Festival Actor Ana Corbett
Breaking Ground returns to the central city – just off Cuba St – our playwriting festival has again partnered with Te Auaha Centre of Creativity. Sharing space, whakawhanaungatanga and supporting our writers is at the centre of our ongoing venue and festival partnership.
Readings will be presented on Friday June 24th & Saturday June 25th 2022, Breaking Ground is open to all, with tickets available. Attendance is free although ticketing is required ensuring that we can adhere to our Covid-19 Safety Guidelines. Nau mai rā! Haria mai rā!
Tawata Productions is a Māori and Kuki ‘Āirani creative company based in Te Ūpoko-o-te-ika-a-Māui – Wellington; Aotearoa New Zealand. Specialising in the rigorous development and presentation of theatre and screen, Tawata blurs the lines between text, movement and image presenting a dynamic performance experience to the world beyond.