Actor returns to ‘the place that’s taken me so far’ to give back
“Being cool is the kryptonite of having fun,” actor Seiyan Thompson-Tonga says.
The Southlander has been in town with a collective known as The Gentle Boys Ponder to give rangatahi the confidence to explore the arts.
The group met while studying at Toi Whakaari and they’ve been guiding a group of 15 young people through workshops covering all aspects of performing arts.
The rangatahi will use what they’ve learned to present their own production in Invercargill tonight.
Thompson-Tonga grew up with the arts, performing at some of the first Murihiku Polyfests, so when he graduated from Toi Whakaari, Mīharo general manager Tania Carran asked him to consider coming home to inspire the next generation.
He jumped at the opportunity to give back to “the place that’s taken me so far”.
“There are so many stories that need to be told from down these ways and so many voices to say it. We need more artists from Southland,” he said.
It was also an opportunity for Thompson-Tonga to bring the mates he studied with together for a project.
They hope to take The Gentle Boys Ponder to other regions, dedicating time each year to give back.
The group of 15 participants – between the ages of 9 and 18 – spent a week learning about different aspects of the arts; like writing, movement, embracing your funny bone, videography, graphic design and soundscape creations.
Then, from Monday, they have worked on their production.
The wide age range of participants could be challenging, Thompson-Tonga said, but it was also a blessing because the younger children encouraged the older ones to be silly and use their imagination, while the older ones – many of whom were participating in the workshops around full-time jobs – were teaching the younger ones commitment.
The silliness was an important aspect of the workshop because the collective wanted to show rangatahi that art could be anything they wanted it to be.
“It can be a muck-around. It can be something that’s cool to you, because I guarantee that if it’s cool to you, it’s cool to others.”
Thompson-Tonga said a lot of the exercises were designed to be failed so the children could become comfortable with failure.
“We always tell the kids there are no right answers,” he said.
The children will showcase their work at Repertory House in Esk St from 7pm. Doors open at 6.30pm and entry is by koha.
“There are so many stories that need to be told from down these ways and so many voices to say it. We need more artists from Southland.”
Seiyan Thompson-Tonga