More than 100 teachers gathered at the Hannah Playhouse in central Wellington to launch the New Zealand Festival’s programme for schools, SchoolFest.
Shelagh Magadza, the New Zealand Festival’s Artistic Director presented highlights from the programme which covers all artforms. It includes events of interest to teachers and students across the whole curriculum beyond just arts subjects – from physical education to media studies, and history to health education.
Audience members listen to Shelagh Magadza present details of workshops and other events in SchoolFest 2016
Workshops and other activities
Alongside special discounts to shows in the main New Zealand Festival, students will be able to experience masterclasses, workshops and other activities developed by artists coming to Wellington for the event. Highlights range from Jazz for Young People presented by Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra to an introduction to circus techniques from the Swiss Compagnia Finzi Pasca. The play Chalk About is designed to help young people learn more about their identity through writing, drawing, talking and movement, and several shows take World War One as their theme.
There’s also a special return season of Page Turners, showcasing the lives of 5 famous Wellingtonians – one of several free events in the Festival.
Some SchoolFest highlights
Jazz for young people (Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra)
La Verità (Compagnia Finzi Pasca)
Page Turners (Arcade NZ Live Art Trust)
Rebecca Mordaunt and Emma Deakin at the SchoolFest launch
Visit the New Zealand Festival website to see the full SchoolFest programme or contact the New Zealand Festival SchoolFest team, Rebecca Mordaunt and Emma Deakin for further information.
New Zealand Festival SchoolFest team
WCT’s involvement
The Wellington Community Trust is a core partner in SchoolFest. Our support ensures that tickets are affordable. Chief Executive, Mark Cassidy spoke at the launch noting, ‘We congratulate the New Zealand Festival on putting together such a great programme. It is an inspiring opportunity for students all over the Wellington region to experience, and learn from, outstanding international and local artists.’