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Rose Kirkup to debut first solo work at BATS Theatre
Rose Kirkup to debut first solo work at BATS
Theatre
Using American pop star Beyoncé as her
inspiration, Rose Kirkup will perform her first
solo work I Am Tasha Fierce at BATS Theatre in
Wellington from 28 March to 1 April.
The play
tells the story of Tasha, a small-town girl who moves to the
big city to follow her dreams and live as a strong
independent woman. Guided and inspired by Beyoncé, Tasha is
super-fierce and won’t let anyone get in her
way.
The season will include a Ladies Night
on Thursday 30 March to support Te Whare Tiaki Wāhine
Refuge - Porirua/Kāpiti.
“It’s about creating
theatre with a conscience,” Rose says. “We are going to
have fun, have drink specials and have spot prizes from
local wāhine-led business. It’s about creating an event
where women can support women.”
In 2011, Rose and
her husband, Nic Lane, founded Every Cool Lives Here, a
Wellington theatre company aiming to produce theatre that
reflects the diversity of New Zealand, with an emphasis on
marginalised communities. Rose is the artistic
director.
Juggling her solo career and her team
work is not easy. “I am always running and stressed,”
she laughs. “But I’m also happy.”
“Through theatre, we have the chance to change people’s perspectives and to reconnect with our community by including more people,” Rose says. “Especially people who are pretty much unheard.”
Rose loves to tell stories
and empowers the creative voices of marginalised people in
New Zealand.
Originally from Upper Hutt, Rose graduated
in performance design from Toi Whakaari New Zealand Drama
School and Massey University.
Rose is also
developing Unflattering Smock, a work in progress
about the life of caregivers working in rest homes.
“I
worked as a caregiver for nine years with women from
different countries, who care for our elderly people,” she
says. “They do so much for us and I don’t think we treat
them that well. I want to make a show about the women who
make our rest homes full of life.”
Rose Kirkup will
perform I Am Tasha Fierce from 28 March
and 1 April at BATS Theatre, starting at 8.30pm. Book
at BATS
Theatre.
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