Acting workshop opens opportunities for locals

By Marj Moore 25 October 2016, 12:00AM

In addition to the current season of the play ‘aloFA’, Fiona Collins and Naea Asolelei To’alepai of Filet685 Productions are offering a workshop for aspiring actors and actresses.

“The free workshop is for 17-25 year olds and will be held this Friday afternoon from 5pm. The participants will then be able to view the evening performance of the play,” said Collins.

“We will then continue the workshop with a full day on Saturday starting at 9am.”

The workshop has been made possible through funding from the U.S. Embassy and will provide young people with the chance to experience all aspects of theatre work in preparation for a performance. 

“We are particularly excited about this workshop – we love working with youth and most of my time here in Samoa has been in the education arena so to be able to do this and perform our play at the same time, is awesome,” said Collins.

Meanwhile the play ‘aloFA’, which runs for a week in Apia, opened last Friday at Maliu Mai to an appreciative audience of over 100 including His Highness the Head of State, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi. 

A family story, ‘aloFA’ presents social issues portrayed through drama, music and movement, and is a thought-provoking offering by the husband and wife team of Filet685 Productions.

Writer-producer Fiona Collins said the underlying issues pertaining to women and children have been revisited many times in her previous works, but this is the first time they have been presented by male characters.

And whilst the play explores the many themes of familial and romantic violence; and the generational plights of what is passed down throughout the ages, there are many moments of humour and levity which add to the realism.

The story is told by three generations of men: they are grandfathers, fathers, sons, grandsons…they are boxers, carvers, musicians…men.  They celebrate the love of and for their mother, sister, wife, daughter.

Audiences to date, have been moved both by the story and the way it has been presented. 

“That was my father,” said a woman emphatically in reference to the old man after the performance was over.

Collins said that if Arts is a vehicle for social change, awareness and enlightenment, their hopes are that ‘aloFA’ will contribute to that growth in audiences. 

Limited tickets are still available for the remaining five shows from Maliu Mai Maliu Mai Bar and Grill in Fugalei, Legends Café in Moata’a and McKenzies Store in Pesega. For more information about the show or the workshop call Fiona on 768 3486.   

By Marj Moore 25 October 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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