Inspiring Youth Through Theatre

Enrolled School’s ‘Toi Turi Youth Theatre Project’ was an 11-week-long initiative funded through the Ministry of Education, Creatives in Schools funding scheme. The project is in its third year, following successful projects in 2022 and 2023. Each year, we have partnered with Tim Bray Theatre Company.

Twelve Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland-based ākonga from Years 9 – 13 and Tū Kōkiri participated. This year, our Ōtautahi Christchurch ākonga were able to take part; they created advertisements that were recorded and played in the intermission of the theatre performances.

The highlight of this project was three very successful performances titled ‘Deafland Street’ at two different venues. The Ko Taku Reo community, whānau and staff, the Deaf community and members of the public attended this. It was a great success and ended with laughter and happy tears.

Our ākonga performed with supreme confidence and presented an entertaining, funny show using theatrical techniques specific to Deaf theatre and Deaf culture. This year, in a real sense, we were able to showcase a Deaf performance to a broader audience and celebrate and share this part of our culture.

We hope to be able to embrace drama and share Deaf theatre again in the future. We are looking forward to seeing the skills gained in this project, the confidence, Deaf identity, and the sense of belonging for our ākonga continue to develop.

Well done to our ākonga and our partners at Tim Bray. This was a phenomenal highlight of our year. A big thank you to everyone who supported this project, including Selwyn Village and Kelston Intermediate, who shared their spaces. May these connections continue long into our future in drama.