Teachers
The tutors at Toi Whakaari are also practising professionals. All have worked extensively in theatre, film or television both nationally and internationally and bring this experience to bear in their teaching.
Kaarin Macaulay
Head of Costume Construction
After completing a BA in Communications (Theatre/Media) at Charles Sturt University in Australia, Kaarin embarked on a freelance career as a Costumier which saw her working across Australia for resident theatre companies, big-budget musicals (including Phantom of the Opera and Sunset Boulevard), and small project-based groups.
In 1997 Kaarin accepted a full-time position with Opera Australia, where she had the opportunity to collaborate with local and international designers, creating costumes for the vast repertoire of Australia's national opera company. She moved to New Zealand in 2005 and set up the inaugural Costume Construction course at Toi Whakaari with the support of Bill Guest (previous Head of Entertainment Technology and Performing Arts Management) and Penny Fitt.
donna jefferis
Costume Construction Tutor
Donna has worked professionally in the world of costume for over 20 years, both here in NZ and in the USA. She has a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Georgia, USA and a diploma in Design and Craft in Embroidery from City and Guilds, London. Donna has been a costume maker, cutter and designer for over 60 professional productions and has a penchant for dance. Her favorite production is always the last one that she has worked on! Donna is a part-time Costume Construction tutor at Toi Whakaari and teaches Painting and Dyeing Fabric, Period Costume Construction, Patterning, Tailoring and Costume Design. She is also the Costume Supervisor for the New Zealand School of Dance.
Teina Moetara
Context & Practice Senior Tutor
Ko Whiria te Maunga, Ko Te Hokianga te Moana, Ko Pakanae te Marae, Ko Ngati Korokoro te Hapu, Ko Nga Puhi te Iwi.
Ko Manawaru te Maunga, Ko Te Arai te Awa, Ko Manutuke te Marae, Ko Ngati Kaipoho, Ngai Tawhiri nga Hapu, Ko Rongowhakaata te Iwi.
Born and bred in the world of ‘Maori’ Performing Arts, Teina hails from Manutuke, Turanganui-A-Kiwa (Gisborne). A performing member of the internationally recognized Waihirere Maori Club for over 20 years, many of them as a core composer, Teina has since moved on, becoming co-founder and tutor of Tu te Manawa Maurea Kapa Haka.
Whilst assistant principal and head of the immersion unit at Manutuke Primary School, Teina was offered a role in Disney’s theatrical production of The Lion King in Sydney, Melbourne and Shanghai. It was here he became interested in translating forms of the performance across different theatrical contexts. He has since co-directed and performed in a number of shows using tikanga marae frameworks to hold, challenge, support and innovate the creative process, including Manawa Pou, Pakiwaitara and The Trial of the Cannibal Dog for NZ International Arts Festival.
Jade Eriksen
Context & Practice Senior Tutor
Jade grew up in Gisborne, Tairawhiti, of Greek, Irish, Scottish and Danish descent. Since completing a Master of Theatre Arts - Directing from Toi Whakaari/Victoria University, her interest in the area of intercultural politics, identity and composition have led her to work mainly within the devised theatrical form. Jade has directed and devised award winning collaborative works including Yatra, Stamping Grounds, Migrant Nation, arcane (with her company theatreheuristic) and co-directed Penumbra for AK07 Festival. She currently teaches in devised composition at Victoria University as well as at Toi Whakaari.
Visiting Tutors
Toi Whakaari also has regular guest teachers in technology and managment for stage, screen and events, movement, mask, puppetry, professional development and leadership, voice, singing, text analysis, history, theory and philosophy of theatre and Taha Maori.
Throughout the year Toi Whakaari brings in specialist national and international guest tutors and lecturers. The following leading lights have taught our costume construction students over the last 12 months: Adam Macaulay, Andrew Pfeiffer, Ben Hawker, Chris Covich, Donna Jefferis, Emily Buttle and James Acheson.
