Calling All Performers: Step Into the Heart of Aotearoa with Waiora. A powerful opportunity to bring a vital New Zealand story to life.
Directed by Jol Sparks and Rick Paenga
Auditions 6 July
11am - Cold Read for Actors
1:30pm - Waiata and Kapa Haka
You must REGISTER to attend.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION :
Hone Kouka’s Waiora is more than a play — it’s a deeply moving exploration of cultural identity, disconnection, and belonging. Set in 1960s Aotearoa, this richly layered work centers on a Māori family navigating the challenges of migration, assimilation, and generational conflict.
For actors, Waiora offers emotionally complex, culturally significant roles that require truth, vulnerability, and respect for te ao Māori. Each character—whether part of the central whānau or the spiritual presence of the tīpuna—brings depth, tension, and humanity to the stage.
This is a chance to be part of a story that resonates across time, connects with ancestral roots, and speaks to the enduring spirit of our people.
You must prepare a waiata, come dressed to move, and ready to cold read for a role. If you’re ready to commit to authentic storytelling and embrace the cultural weight of this piece, we want to see you.
Available Roles
The Whānau (Family)
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Hone / John - The father, late 30s, a hardworking man who has always worked outside.
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Wai / Sue Te Atatu - The mother, who had her children in her teens.
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Amiria - The eldest daughter, 19 years old, a beauty who identifies strongly with Pākehā culture.
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Rongo - The second daughter, 18 years old, a "daddy's girl" who used to sing like a tūī but has stopped since leaving Waiora.
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Boyboy -The youngest, 16 years old, adopted (whāngai), sporty, and loves the outdoors. He is eager to please and takes pride in preparing his first hāngī.
The Guests
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Steve Campbell - Hone's boss at the timber mill, Pākehā, late 30s or early 40s.
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Louise Stones - A secondary school teacher in her twenties, Pākehā, outspoken, liberal, and not a local.
The Tīpuna (Ancestors)
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The Tīpuna - A group of ancestral spirits who represent what has been left behind. They are particularly focused on Rongo, who is most aware of their presence.
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The Stranger - One of the tīpuna who manifests as a passing stranger, visible to all.
PERFORMANCE DATES
11 - 22 September 2025
REHEARSALS
Begin 15 July
Mondays and Thursdays at 7:00 - 10:00pm
Sundays 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Technical Rehearsals 6:00-11:00pm
Roles are unpaid.
Each actor is entitled to two comp tickets.
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