| Written and performed by Shadon Meredith (Shortland Street), Waiting is an evocative coming-of-age story that celebrates beat poetry delivered with graceful movement. Q Theatre is delighted to welcome Sos & Sha Creative for their season 26 September – 1 October 2023. A love letter written to Shadon’s son, Arlo, Waiting takes the audience through a journey of his life and breaks down the human condition of waiting. The insights are personal, and reflective of cultural challenges faced by Shadon and those navigating identity as a minority race in Aotearoa. Shadon also expresses vulnerability and grace, as a man facing up to mental health crises, with a hope that the work will “create space and an atmosphere to begin conversation on issues that the general male population deem too taboo or delicate to handle.” Waiting opens up these taboo conversations around mental health, allowing those within the space to decompress and consider the importance of connectivity and communication. Since it’s premiere in 2017, Waiting has performed to several hundred people across 5 centres and won eight awards across regional fringe festivals including ‘Best Director’, ‘Best Actor’, ‘Best of Fringe’ and ‘Best Design’. In 2021, it was the PANNZ Auckland Festival Fringe Winner demonstrating its tour-ready worthiness. Following development funding from CNZ, it was adapted into a 60 minute stage performance with the creative expertise of Brandon Haru, Renee Lyons, Sarah Foster and Bala Murali Shingade, and premiered at BATS Theatre in June 2022. “It brings the relevance and emotional honesty close to the surface, and I find myself glowing with the heartwarming tones,” – Catherine Hart, Echoes From The Wings (Nelson Fringe Festival 2017) Shadon Meredith is one half of Sos & Sha Creative, alongside his actor wife Amelia Reid-Meredith. Amelia, who is directing the work, graduated from Toi Whakaari (Bachelor of Performing Arts: Acting) in 2009. She is best known for her work on South Pacific Pictures’ Shortland Street where she played core cast member, Bella Cooper, for six years, boasting over 380 episodes. Amelia has worked extensively in the screen sector including in the role of Renee in Hallmark Productions’ Pearl in Paradise; playing Amanda in South Pacific Pictures’ This Town, directed by David White; in the role of Loren Cardena in Netflix’s Cowboy Bebop (2020); playing Margaret in Ti West’s horror film Pearl (2021); and has recently returned to New Zealand screens in The Brokenwood Mysteries and has just finished shooting series Friends Like Her based in Kaikoura. Amelia has been working as an on set acting coach for many of our new upcoming television shows and commercials. Shadon is a graduate of the Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School (Bachelor of Performing Arts Acting), and has extensive experience in theatre worked locally and internationally. He has performed on stages throughout the country including The Court Theatre, in The Seagull (Auckland Theatre Company), UPU (Silo Theatre/Auckland Arts Festival 2020), The Arrival (Red Leap Theatre) Paper Sky and Dakota of The White Flats (Red Leap Theatre) (and most recently has finished a season of King Lear with Auckland Theatre company. Most recently Shadon graced our screens playing the role of Andy in Season 2 of Emmy award-winning show, Rūrangi. Presenting and writing for Toi Time TVNZ kids show and working on feature films Shut Eye, Darkest Light and The Paragon; which premiered at the NZ International Film Festival 2023. |
| WAITING 26 September – 1 October 8pm Loft, Q Theatre Bookings |