Students tackle negative stigma

‘‘You don't succeed despite being from South Auckland, you succeed because you are from South Auckland.’’

Denyce Su’a didn’t grow up in South Auckland like the high school students she works with.

While she’s been performing and directing theatre in Mangere for the past few years, she hasn’t experienced issues like homelessness or sleeping in cars.

For the group of 60 teenagers she’s directing in musical production Southside Rise, those are just some of the stories they’ll be telling on stage.

‘‘It’s chaotic and hectic working with more than 60 students on this show,’’ Su’a says. ‘‘But then it’s like some sort of magic when you see them come together.’’

Produced by theatre troupe the Black Friars, Southside Rise stars leaders from eight South Auckland schools who are involved in things like community, dance, and sports.

The show, which is being performed at Mangere Arts Centre, tackles the stereotypes associated with the area.

‘‘You don’t succeed despite being from South Auckland, you succeed because you are from South Auckland.’’

Originally from the South Island, Su’a didn’t know there was a stigma surrounding the area when she moved to Auckland as a teenager. It was during university that she first performed at Mangere Arts Centre.

‘‘That was my first real taste of South Auckland. I fell in love with it.

‘‘I work here and a lot of my friends and family live around here. I spend a lot of time here, sometimes more than my own home.’’

She’s been on board with Southside Rise since last year, helping write it with some of the other members of the Black Friars.

It’s based on stories students shared with the group about their backgrounds, which are now included in the show through acting, dancing, DJ, and spoken word.

Some of the stories that came out of that included homelessness as well as the conflict between wanting to play rugby professionally and provide for their families.

‘‘It’s only as good as what people are offering and willing to put into it.’’

Su’a hopes people come see the show who might even be neighbours or friends of some of the young people involved in it to see how much talent exists in their community.

Southside Rise runs from June 29 to July 7 at Mangere Arts Centre. Go to eventfinda.co.nz/2017/Southsiderise/auckland/mangere for tickets.