‘That’s What Friends Are For’, the latest project by Hobson Street Theatre Company, was recognised in Parliament during the Te Putanga Toi Arts Access Awards 2019.
The interactive play, which toured across New Zealand, and is the country’s only theatre company involving people who are – or have been – homeless, was directed by Professor Peter O’Connor from the University of Auckland, who describes it as ‘an experiment to see if the cast of a play can make friends with their audience in just an hour.’
The Big Idea describes Hobson Street Theatre Company as an ‘inclusive, passionate and inspiring group who have been together since 2010. During this time, they have presented 10 shows in an array of venues from the Auckland City Mission Drop-in Centre to the iconic BATS Theatre in Wellington. The shows are original, self-devised pieces that offer the unique voice of a sometimes marginalised section of society and allow an important discussion around homelessness in New Zealand.’
Professor Peter O’Connor’s next idea will see him travel to Los Angeles in November to work with the Skid Row Trust to create a multimedia performance at the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Peter: ‘I’ll be working with people from one of the largest communities of homeless people in the world where 8000 people live in a 50 block area. The project will involve local artists and community workers and builds on the work I did with the Hobson Street Company. I am so proud that the University of Auckland sees value in the arts as a way of making a positive difference with difficult social issues.’
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