08 Sep 2010
Founding Artistic Director of Capital E National Theatre for Children, Peter Wilson is moving on after thirteen years with the company.
At Peter’s farewell event, Creative New Zealand’s CEO Stephen Wainwright acknowledged the significant contribution Peter has made to the arts in New Zealand and in particular in his time as the key artistic driver and creative founder of the theatre company. “(His) ability to bring joy, wonder and delight to generations of young people and their families is a terrific legacy. An important indicator of a strong legacy is when afounder and creator can leave an organisation in good heart and good hands, and this is certainly the case with Capital E National Theatre for Children”.
Peter’s departure has resulted in a change in the way the company creates work. A new role of Creative Producer has been formed and will be filled by former General Manager, Stephen Blackburn. He will focus on fostering a new direction for the company by bringing together New Zealand creatives to produce new work for young people. The National Theatre for Children should be seen as a conduit to its target audience of young people aged between two and fourteen. We need to be an organisation which brings together artists and practitioners that have exciting and innovative stories to tell,” said Stephen.
End Game, which premiered at Downstage Theatre last month, was a prime example of this type of initiative. It began as a one page idea from relatively unknown writers, Rachel Callinan and Kate Morris, and was brought to the stage with some of the best talent in the industry and is touring nationally. The audience is expected to reach nearly 7000 young New Zealanders this year, from Whangarei to Invercargill.
Stephen said the company is dedicated to doing more of the same. To continue the development of new work they would like to hear from anyone with a great idea. “We offer a robust development process for new works, a stimulating environment for collaboration, and an audience second-to-none in showing their true feelings about a work. We encourage any and all to seek us out and pitch your idea to engage with this most challenging, exciting and exhilarating audience.”
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