Transcript
Southside Rise features a number of true stories including of Pacific students with poor school attendance due to family responsibilities.
Lose Finau from McAuley High School says a story about an ill grandmother hit her emotionally.
"That's what I'm going through right now. My grandma is in hospital and I hardly go to school because I'm always with her, looking after her and stuff. I know I'm not the only one, like only Pacific islander going through that. If they [students] can put on a mean as show like they have for the past few days, then I reckon everyone can see like how real the struggle is for us P.Is attending school and having situations like that go off at home."
Agnes Milford from Tangaroa College says the story she's part of highlights the need for Pacific parents to communicate effectively with their children.
"Even my parents and other Pacific island parents to go and hug their kids when they feel like the world's on their shoulders. They've been neglected and discriminated out in south without the parents knowing because the kids are coming back home doing feaus (chores), cleaning up, like working hardout, going to school, all hurt and like in their heads they're getting so stressed out and all they need is not money, but they need that parental love."
Punipuao Lavea from Otahuhu College says the students want their stories told.
"The stereotype that is often portrayed like about southside kids is that that person is wagging because they're lazy or like, 'oh low attendance because they don't want to come to school', but there's a why, like there's always a reason and you can't find that reason unless you actually get to know us."
Co-director Denyse Su'a says working with the students shows that they don't fit the negative images often portrayed in the media.
"As a director, one of the most beautiful things that I've seen happen is their confidence and their bravery on stage and in their performances I can see growing a little bit every single time they get on stage, so to see those different schools kind of come together and for the community to see them come together in a good way, not because of drama this or drama that, but to see them come together and create something really special, speaks volumes for itself."
Music director Siosaia Folau says through music the students were able to easily express their stories.
"One thing that I'm big on is, especially when there's students and that singing the song is just some emotional backing. I guess to really feel what the song is about and just put some meaning behind it. I guess with a lot of sort of emotions and just with what everyone is going through, whether it be sort of physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally, it gets to showcase in the music in that that they sing."
The students are a part of the first production by theatre troupe The Black Friars and it has inspired them to dream big.
"Ever since doing this [Southside Rise show], I actually want to be an actor." - Junior Papali'i
"When I grow up, I want to become a lawyer. I feel like it could benefit my family a lot if I went through that field." - Lose Finau
"I want to be a ambassador for not only southside, but for kids that go through struggles." - Punipuao Lavea
"I hope to pursue performing arts or becoming an actor because it's been a big passion for me in school taking drama." - Nate Mafoe
"When I leave school I actually want to go to Toi Whakaari, the New Zealand drama school, get a Bachelors of Performing Arts there." - Anges Milford
"I want to do communications, like broadcasting and all of that stuff because I feel like the biggest platform you can ever use is technology especially these days. If I'm on the Internet, if I'm on YouTube and stuff then I'll definitely get the message out." - Levi Faiva
The students involved have been working on the project since last year.