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SOMETHING HAS TO CHANGE - Prima Facie by Suzie Miller. An Exclusive Dunedin Season 2024.

  • Opening Week

      27 October 2024
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    Well, here we are. About to head into technical rehearsal tomorrow, preview on Wednesday and opening on Thursday.

    This has all been made possible by YOU.

    YOU. YOU. YOU!

    Thank YOU!

    I'd share a sneak peak of the set, but some of you are coming to see the show and that would spoil the surprise. So instead, I'll sign out from this last update with a final image of Serena, taken by Megan Goldsman.

    If you're planning on coming to the show, remember you can book through TryBooking. Just search - Prima Facie. Take care out there. Know you have contributed to an important project, and helped sustain our artists here in Ōtepoti.

    Arohanui

    Lara

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  • We start tomorrow folks

      2 October 2024
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    Wow...looking back to when this page started in July, it's hard to believe we start rehearsals tomorrow. And all thanks to you for making it happen. THANK YOU!!!

    I promised an update on a mystery creative. Well, for those of you not on the old social media - I introduce to you Sylvie Harper.

    You should most definitely follow her on #Spotify.

    Sylvie was 14 when I met her, and the talent this gal has in her is incredible. The maturity of her voice, the depth of her lyrics, and her quiet strength were easy reasons to ask Sylvie to write and record some music for Prima Facie.

    Sylvie works in collaboration with David Harrison - co-author, composer and musician extraordinaire.

    Instantly after reading the play Sylvie and David wrote two incredible songs. That this play resonated so loudly with Sylvie says so much.

    This collaboration is only made possible with David and Sylvie's superstar support team - Leah and Gareth Harper. This family are not only making it possible for us to work with Sylvie, but they have donated, and Gareth is leading build on the set. Phenomenal.

    Yesterday Matthew Morgan, the sound designer, David and I met to listen to the demos of the songs. Utterly beautiful. I'm speechless.

    You will be as astounded listening to the show as you will be seeing it.

    This platform is only alive a few more weeks. Feel free to keep sharing.

    Or, if you haven't already, book your tickets:

    https://www.trybooking.com/nz/TKY

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  • Introducing Birds of a Feather

      20 September 2024
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    Kia ora whanau,

    Only two weeks until rehearsals begin.

    A reminder at how utterly essential and valued your support has been via this funding platform. We could not have done it without you and the support of so many other organisations:

    He Waka Eke Noa Charitable Trust, Castle Charitable Trust, Otago Community Trust, Dunedin City Council, Wow!Productions, Prof. Stuart Young, Alister MacDonald.

    You can follow my new company - Birds of a Feather - on FB. Go on like me! My gorgeous logo is designed by Nikki Kidd. Prima Facie will be the inaugural show for this company, and I look forward to announcing future plans for the company once Prima Facie has opened.

    Updates for Prima:

    Here's a link to a radio interview today with Jeff Hartford on the OARsome Breakfast Show.

    https://player.accessmedia.nz/Player.aspx?eid=3c5a4001-5cb8-44d6-9d3f-13e4effe736a

    Two dynamic and informative Forums are in development thanks to Professor Catherine Fowler from Media, Film and Communication Studies at Otago University. I'll confirm dates in another week.

    Here's a very recent article (and pic) with Suzie Miller (writer) speaking to the impact Prima Facie has had around the world.

    https://creative.gov.au/news/stories/prima-facie-writer-suzie-miller-on-the-phenomenal-real-world-outcomes-of-her-art/

    My next post will be to introduce you to a very special musician/songwriter who is developing original music for the show alongside our Sound Designer and Composer Matthew Morgan.

    Exciting.

    Lara

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  • The Star of the Show

      9 September 2024
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    Prima Facie box office is now open, and it's selling fast!! (See link below).

    Serena Cotton will be flying into Dunedin to begin rehearsals in less than a month.

    Starring as Tessa - Suzie Miller's central character in Prima Facie - here's a little about the artist your contribution is supporting:

    Born and bred in Dunedin, Serena's first professional gig was onstage as Thomasina in Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia while completing a BA in Theatre Studies at the University of Otago. In her second year at Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School she was cast as one of the leads in the critically acclaimed drama series The Insiders Guide to Love. Serena has most recently been seen in Appropriate at The Court Theatre, in The Bullet Heart Club’s play with songs The Hall, multi character physical comedy Timber...!!! (Circa Theatre/Centrepoint Theatre) and touring with Pop Up Globe around NZ and to Sydney. Fortune Theatre credits include: The Shape of Things, The Pitmen Painters and Five Women Wearing the Same Dress.

    Onscreen, she has appeared in The Gulf, Ablaze, The Brokenwood Mysteries, The Pretender, StepDave and Shortland St.

    Serena has a special interest in theatre for social change having twice toured with verbatim show The Keys are in the Margarine (produced by Dunedin company Theatreworks) and more recently with Mind Over Manner who present theatre based neurodiversity workshops.

    You won't want to miss her tour de force performance.

    https://www.trybooking.com/nz/TKY

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  • Catching you up on the last few weeks

      22 August 2024
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    Kia ora koutou,

    It's been a few weeks since I caught you up on Prima Facie. Give A Little continues to climb which is outstanding. Also, significant independent donations have made the journey of getting the show made while we await further local funding outcomes all the more easier. Wow!Productions have stepped into the fray within multiple areas of production, and independently Marty Roberts, Kimberley Fridd, and Cindy Diver have offered invaluable support to ensure this show has all the strength it needs throughout its season. The village is astounding in its generosity and belief in this project.

    Box office is set to open next Monday. So I will post an update on that day with the link for anyone who is smart enough to book early.

    In the meantime, the team that is Prima Facie:

    Serena Cotton, Miriam Noonan, Mark McEntyre, Marty Roberts, Matt Morgan, (plus mystery guest TBA), Lucy Summers, David Summers, Kimberley Fridd, Cindy Diver.

    We thank each and every one of you.

    L x

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  • "All Stand..."

      1 August 2024
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    Give yourselves an ovation. Look what you've helped us achieve!

    In tandem with this platform, locally, WOW!Productions have reached out with significant financial and box office support, Stage South have spread the word which has resulted in a strong actor and theatre maker contribution, Brent Caldwell with #GetinŌtepoti has created a funding support video, local philanthropist and fundraiser JA, and lawyer VT (I'm not sure they wish to be named) are working with me on a sponsorship package to take to law firms this month. And on it goes.

    This enthusiastic level of support tells me, not only that the reputation of this play precedes itself, but Dunedin wants professional theatre to exist in the city.

    He tāngata he tāngata he tāngata.

    Please keep sharing this link with people you know who will have a strong interest or benefit from this production in some way. Lawyers, social workers, police etc.

    My gratitude. Thank you.

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  • One week in

      22 July 2024
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    “If you’ve ever doubted that theatre still has the power to change the world,

    I hereby admit into evidence Prima Facie…” – NZ Herald

    The outpouring of generosity from family, friends, colleagues and the wider community in support of this production and its artists is so humbling. Thank you.

    We missed out initially on $40K funding, so your generosity goes a long way to supporting all the creatives involved on the production. Please keep sharing the link to this platform where and when you can.

    This week has seen a great deal of pre-production, meetings with lawyers, philanthropists and creatives. There will be design meetings in the coming weeks, and I'll update you throughout August and September as to these really exciting collaborations. In the meantime - here is another one of the many lovely images Megan Goldsman Photography took at our poster shoot. Serena Cotton as Tessa - the central protagonist. A criminal defence lawyer at the top of her game until a life shattering event shakes her fervent belief in the law.

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