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
Parental Guidance recommended.
Creative Team
Stage Director - Ditas Yap
Music Director - Jo Hodgson
Supervisor - Kerryn Palmer
Production Manager - Peggie Barnes
Stage Manager - Emory Otto
Lights Design - Teddy O’ Neil
Lights Design Associate - Rita Anderson
Sound Design - Joshua Lees
Set/Props Design - Alistair Porter
ENSEMBLE: Children & Young People
Felix McDougall
Phoebe Lowe
Jet Wilton
Eva Wilton
Isabella Fouhy
Will Anderson
Olivia Chevallier-Boutell
Maddy Bond
Sophie Bond
Scout Ballantyne
Ari Cradwick
