As a performing arts hub, the PumpHouse supports a huge array of cultural and community activities. It has impressive attendance numbers with 70,000 visitors this year alone and 50 different groups using the facility.
Growing children and youth involvement is a key objective for the PumpHouse, including child-specific productions, school holiday programmes and school visits. Their dedication to theatre arts education has meant the PumpHouse has hosted 18,000 children and their caregivers this year. In just one example during Matariki the Pump House delivered Ruia Te Kākano, an entertaining family show that follows Rima through his adventures in pre-colonial New Zealand. Ruia Te Kākano is a Maori language story delivered in partnership with leaders in Māori theatre, New Lynn’s Te Pou Theatre and Te Rehia Theatre.
Other recent children’s performances have included Duck, Death and the Tulip, a beautiful but unusual production that proves theatre and the arts are not just for pure entertainment but a way of opening discussion into complex subjects including the ultimate subject of death and mortality. Recognising the depth of potential in theatre is something Tim Bray Productions, who celebrate their 25th anniversary in 2016 and have been staging their shows at the PumpHouse since 2004, have long realised.
Tim Bray Productions is a leading theatre company for children supporting the delivery of a unique theatre experience to 20,000 children each year. Tim Bray’s child-friendly productions and interactive educational theatre workshops aim to help children develop confidence, explore their imagination and introduce a new and exciting way to relate to literature and reading.
Director and playwright Tim Bray says, “We know that theatre is more than “just” entertainment; we also see it as an integral part of … education … [developing children’s] socialisation skills and encouraging and exploring their imaginations."
As well as performances, Tim Bray Productions offer term-time youth theatre drama classes and school holiday theatre workshops to give children an interactive environment. In the Workshops children enjoy the show with a backstage tour, have a Q&A session with the cast and take part in drama, art and craft activities which engage with themes of the show. And prior to each show children who come dressed as their favourite character can take part in the onstage Costume Parade.
Accessibility can be a huge barrier for children to engage in the arts and Tim Bray Productions is a leader in creating an inclusive environment. When funding allows they provide free tickets for low decile schools to attend performances and events and have good relationships with special education units in schools.
The different needs of children with visual and hearing impairments are also catered for, with Tim Bray Productions offering sign language interpretation in performances and special Touch Tours and audio-described performances for blind and visually impaired children and adults.
Performances are also timetabled to enable schools, home school groups and early childhood centres to attend as part of their school year and, to make sure the children get the most out of their experience, Tim Bray Productions also produce free teacher’s guides to augment the learning experience.
Children’s theatre and performing arts education is in good hands with these two great organisations. We look forward to seeing where their ongoing collaboration leads.
