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Arts Festival announces young Ambassadors

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Media Release 28.9.16
For immediate release

Arts Festival announces young Ambassadors

The next generation of actors, directors and backstage professionals will have the chance to get up close and personal to some of the industry’s best, as part of an Ambassador Programme at this year’s Harcourts Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival.

The Ambassador Programme is a first for 2016 and is an opportunity for young people to connect with professionals in the performing arts world. Programme coordinator Daniel Betty hopes the programme will empower the students as they embark on careers in the arts.

“By getting close to the professionals, the participants get an understanding that if they work hard and are passionate about the arts, they can achieve their goals.”

Applications were invited from students throughout the region and 14 ambassadors ranging from 15 to 18 years were selected from nine local secondary schools. While the majority of the youth ambassadors are interested in acting, the group is also made up of aspiring directors, choreographers and technicians.

Throughout the 13-day festival, the students will get to look behind the scenes, participate in workshops, analyse productions and engage in conversations with artists and crew who have carved out successful careers.

“The Ambassadors will connect with the likes of Roger Hall, Bill Manhire, Michael Hurst and award-winning UK actor Guy Masterson who will share their experiences and talk about the challenges they have had to overcome to forge a career in the arts,” says Mr Betty.

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Students will also get the opportunity to attend a number of shows across a variety of genres, which Mr Betty hopes will “inspire them to look at all of the possibilities the performing arts world offers.”

At the conclusion of the programme, Ambassadors will be required to submit a review of a selected show, either written, on film or as a performance, depending on the student’s skill set and interests. They will also present a report to the board of Arts Inc. Heretaunga, which oversees the festival.

For Year 11 drama student Lizzie Harvey, the Ambassador Programme presents a unique opportunity to meet “like-minded people of a similar age” in Hawke’s Bay, as well as connecting with directors and other industry professionals. “Hopefully my time as an ambassador will show that I have the ambition and drive to make it in the arts world,” she says.

The Woodford House student and aspiring actor hopes the programme will offer a variety of skills and experiences that will help her become a better all round performer. “I want to learn skills based around contemporary theatre that will allow me to create unique pieces of theatre with other actors.”

Through the programme, Lizzie is also hoping to develop her leadership skills and eventually give something back to the local arts community.

“Hawke’s Bay arts leaders have given me so much experience and it would be an amazing way to give back to people of the younger generation as well as the greater arts community.”

Harcourts Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival
4th – 16th October
www.hbaf.co.nz


ENDS


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