On Tuesday 3rd July 2018, delegates of the International Drama in Education Research Institute were treated to a performance of Heads Held High, a production by Black Friars that brought together 60 young leaders from 9 South Auckland schools to re-story the world they live in and to show us what it really means to lead.
The podcast (9 minutes) below incorporates an explanation of the production, a soundscape of its songs and dialogue, as well as some audience responses and reactions.
Heads Held High was written by Denyce Su’a with Helen Tuitavake, Michelle Johansson, Billy Revell, Gabriel Faatau’uu-Satiu, Manu Vaea, Levi Horne, and Patrick Alesana, from stories collected in the schools of South Auckland.
Synopsis:
This is War.
We wage our battles on many different war-grounds; we pick our weapons when we can.
These young warriors are working out what they’re fighting for.
AJ, Renee, and Chris are part of a blended family forced to move by the rising costs of living in Mangere. While AJ fights to keep food on the table, Rens works out what kind of warrior she wants to be. Simi and Alex grapple with questions of identity and what it means to be yourself.
Litia, the faife’au’s daughter, fights for the future she wants for herself.
Samisoni must figure out how to battle the school bullies as well as his own inner storm.
Fina calls us all to action and account.
Watch, as these young warriors show us what is meant to walk with
HEADS HELD HIGH.
