STOP PRESS:  (Feb 09) Playworks is working to get their community action plays and workshops about drug abuse back on the road for 2010 Dates and details about these new tours and programmes will be posted here as soon as they are available... in the meantime you can express your interest in hosting or helping fund the programmes by sending your contact through our 'Ask the Panel' on our 'stories' page, or by emailing abdivers@igrin.co.nz


THE PLAY


Ten Foot Tall and Bullet Proof (sometimes called The 'P' Play), is a locally written play about drug abuse. It follows the trials a young woman who gets hooked on Methamphetamine.   The play was written and produced by the Northland company Playworks with backing from Whangarei's Arts Promotion Trust.

The play, with a team of 4 actors ( 3 spunky ones and one old stoner, has toured Northland, Auckland and Wairarapa High Schools during 2004 and 2005 The 'P' play was a roaring success and without exception was given a thumbs up from all students. Even the teachers said excellent, excellent...hmm, excellent.

The play and workshops were so successful that schools who have already had the programme want it back, and others from further a field who have only heard the buzz, want to be included in the next tour.

The programme used a reality based approach accepting that for many students, alcohol and drug use is a part of teenage social life. It is honest, balanced, interactive and provides opportunities for students to get professional assistance where needed.

The programme is in line with the principles of best practice as outlined by the Ministry of Youth Development (2004) and with the recommendations from the Ministerial Action Group on Drugs (2003). It is:

  • Evidence based
  • Interactive
  • Ongoing
  • And actively working for demand reduction


Watch this short clip from TV ONE "Breakfast" of our 2004/2005 tour


Another  tour?  Yes! It's going to happen. Tours will begin again in 2010. If you think that your school would like to see the Play whether you have already or not, contact Playworks at abdivers@igrin.co.nz

In March 06 an evalution questionaire was sent out to participating schools and the information collated. It's a great response!...here's the press release about the results.

10ft Tall & Bullet Proof evaluation press release_april 09

 

THE TEAM

Ten Foot Tall and Bullet Proof was first performed at Mangakahia Area School, on July 20th, 2004 as part of a Northland High Schools tour, with the following cast:

  • JESSE:   Gemma Adams
  • TAMATI:  Michael Koloi
  • TERRY:  Xavier Hornblow
  • DUDLEY:    Bryan Divers

The actors participated in the work-shopping of the final script designed and directed Bryan Divers.  Numerous Community Health Agencies accompanied the performances and gave support in the subsequent Drama in Action Workshops, among them:

  • Northland Community Health
  • CAYAD
  • Rubicon Trust
  • Hau Ora Whanui and Te Oranga

The following organisations funded this project:

  • Ministry of Health
  • Hau Ora Whanui
  • Manaia PHO
  • The Lion Foundation
  • The Southern Trust
  • Henderson & Reeves- Lawyers
  • Te Tai Tokerau PHO
  • Whangarei Dental Association
  • People Potential
  • Safer Whangarei and Advance Whangarei,

And these supported in kind:

  • Tikipunga High School provided rehearsal space
  • New Zealand Fire Service provided the transport for the tour
  • Igrin Internet hosts this site.
  • The tour organisation and production was by PLAYWORKS PRODUCTIONS LTD. and the ARTS PROMOTION TRUST (NORTHLAND)

THANKS TO ALL OUR PARTNERS!!

 PHOTOS

Here are a few images from the first tour:


Jesse gets some good old advice from Dudders (the old stoner of a dad)...She's thinking  "Yeah whatever!  I'm going anyway!"


At the STARK Club, hookin' up with that long lost friend, terrible Terry. It's all smiles and nice smells now, but he's about to offer her some of that nasty shit "P".


Terry deals to Jesse.. She's got herself in a fix. Well? We all saw it coming...yes we did, and as the song in the play says,  "the further you go, the deeper the rut..." .


Tamati to the rescue! The only one who's really got it together and stays around long enough to help pick up the pieces.

The Play is followed by a Drama in Education workshop that revisits the main events of the play. Here is a young woman from Hilary College mixing it wiht the actors. Using techniques of Way and Heathcote the audience is now vocal and expressing what they as ‘individuals’ have formulated. Through ‘direct experience’ they study the characters in the play, closely, to understand the decisions made and the ensuing good or bad consequences. Through discussion, play, improvisation and group process the participants formulate alternative actions, drawing from and relating these to their own experiences. They practice decision-making for future (real) situations.