Manawatu thespian dies suddenly at arts function

her vibrancy and passion would be sorely missed.

Massey University poets in Palmerston North held an Open Mic night poetry reading on Friday to pay tribute to Green.

The event was at the Palmerston North Public Library.

Green wore many hats in the creative community; poet, director, writer, teacher.

She has been heavily involved in Palmerston North’s theatre scene for the past 10 years.

Green was a senior tutor for the School of English and Media Studies at Massey University and was one of the first creative Masters graduates from Massey.

Associate professor Angie Farrow said Green was the sort of person who would put her heart and soul into everything she did. ‘‘People like Joy are rare, they make our world a better place, they make our city a better place and a more vibrant and more interesting place.

‘‘She’s had a huge influence of the arts community. She was, I would say, at the peak of her career.

‘‘Her influence in the arts scene has just grown over the years. She’s actually made a genuine difference in the art scene.

‘‘The longer she worked in the field of the arts the better. She was also learning and growing and making Manawatu her canvas to improve herself and improve other people.

‘‘She’s just been a fantastic contributor.’’

Farrow described Green as a ‘‘leading light’’ in the arts scene.

Green was an ‘‘incredibly important figure’’ and her absence would be felt by all, associate professor of English Bryan Walpert said.

Walpert has known Green for about 12 years.

The pair taught together at Massey and he was her Masters supervisor.

Green was extraordinarily active in the arts community, he said.

‘‘She had unending energy for teaching and writing and for directing. ‘‘She was a great colleague. ‘‘She was a really vibrant and important person in our school and arts community. ‘‘I will miss her a lot.’’ Green was a published poet and short fiction writer.