Kia Ora Khalid
by Composer Gareth Farr. Writer Dave Armstrong.
“KIA ORA KHALID” IS UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF SIX DEGREES FESTIVAL, 2024. THE SIX DEGREES FESTIVAL IS SUPPORTED BY TE HERENGA WAKA—VICTORIA UNIVERSITY OF WELLINGTON. IT PROVIDES PATHWAYS FOR STUDENTS FROM THE MASTER OF FINE ARTS (CREATIVE PRACTICE) IN THEATRE TO BECOME PROFESSIONAL THEATRE MAKERS.
Heart-pounding children’s opera Kia Ora Khalid tells how four migrant children came to Aotearoa New Zealand. Tom - a Polish New Zealander; Serena - a Samoan; Trang - a first generation Cambodian; and Khalid - a Tampa refugee from Afghanistan. Their stories reveal the touching story of 700 Polish refugees landing in the country in the 1940s, the troubled world of Cambodia, and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. A musical journey over continents and world history, Kia Ora Khalid displays educational values, creates socio-political awareness, and increases New Zealanders’ sense of understanding and acceptance of migrants finding refuge in New Zealand.
Originally commissioned by Capital E National Theatre for Children and created by acclaimed composer Gareth Farr and award-winning playwright Dave Armstrong, Kia Ora Khalid premiered at the Taranaki Arts Festival in 2011, and later made its Australian debut at the Victoria Arts Centre, Melbourne, Australia in October 2011. This time around, it will be recreated for Victoria University of Wellington’s Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Programme, directed by Filipino postgraduate student Ditas Yap , under the supervision of MFA Theatre Programme Director Kerryn Palmer, with Jo Hodgson as Music Director.
Performed by a cast of 16 young people aged 10 to 19 from various schools in Wellington, Kia ora Khalid will feature shadow play, live children’s art, and music.
Presented under a licensing agreement with Playmarket.
“Kia Ora Khalid is a masterpiece that contributes at many levels.”
Content Warnings
This show contains some stylised depictions of violence and racism. Recommended for the ages of 10 and up with Parental Guidance.
Creative Team
Stage Director & Creative Lead: DITAS YAP
MFA Theatre Coordinator: KERRYN PALMER
Music Director: JO HODGSON
Production Managers: DYLAN MATTHEW & ALEX DIXON
Stage Manager - EMORY OTTO
Marketing & Publicity - DENNIS EIR LIM
Marketing Assistant - WHEY GUECO
Lighting Designer - SENUKA SUDUSINGHE & RITA ANDERSON (child)
Sound Designer - JOSHUA LEES
Sound Operator - AKSHAT SONDHI
AV Designer - ISOBEL BECKIT-GOODYEAR
Set Creator - ALISTAIR PORTER
Pianist - LAURA STONE
Cellist - NATHAN PARKER
Main Cast
Khalid - OFRI EARON
Tom - JACK SULLIVAN
Trang - AMEIRA NAYELI ARROYO
Serena - JUSTINA-ROSE TUA
Male Swing - AIDEN SOPER
ENSEMBLE
Children & Young People
FELIX MCDOUGALL
PHOEBE LOWE
JET WILTON
EVA WILTON
ISABELLA FOUHY
WILL ANDERSON
OLIVIA CHEVALIER-BOUTELL
MADDY BOND
SOPHIE BOND
SCOUT BALLANTYNE
ARI CRADWICK
