While their play didn’t make it through to be performed at the National Showcase in Hamilton on September 20/21, the Tauhara College students involved with ‘I Know This For Sure’ have received plaudits for their efforts.
The play, directed by Yr 13 student Teagan Curtis and starring fellow Tauhara College students Rosie Johnson, Kaylen Botha, Amber Newell and Teagan’s younger sister, Lydia, progressed from the August 9 TheatreFest Local Festival at Centre Stage Playhouse to the regional final in Rotorua on August 23 and 24.
There it was nominated for best set design in the national awards with Teagan also nominated as best new director.
She is also receiving the Ngā Kākano – seedling award for Region 2 (which includes the Central Plateau) for her contribution to theatre for school and Centre Stage which recognises directors who are just starting out.
Lydia Curtis who was the sole actor to win a Merit in Acting award at the Taupō TheatreFest Local Festival improved this with an Excellence in Acting award at the regional final.
“All in all a good result,” said Centre Stage’s Toni Sullivan who is also secretary for Theatre New Zealand.
‘I Know This For Sure’, is set in a school dormitory at the start of the Christmas holidays and follows a girl coping with mental struggles who is visited by a “hippie ghost” who manages to help her.
The cast will find out following the National Showcase how the play has done in the two categories in which it is nominated – either way Teagan says she is keen to try her hand at more directing in future.
