Tauranga Arts Festival: Young rock star Stacey Leilua performs in ‘The Savage Coloniser’

After working alongside superstar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Stacey Leilua returned to New Zealand and came to Tauranga to perform at Wild colonialist. The prolific New Zealand stage actor has been a core member of the Kila Kokonut Krew since 2005. Bay of Plenty Times about the show, her passion for telling Pasifika stories and sharing her craft with her daughter.

“Before you know it, the tears are flowing and you are quietly enraged.”

Actor Stacey Leilua hopes audiences take the experience with them after watching her latest show..

She returned to New Zealand to act in theater shows. Wild colonizer after working with superstar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson when she starred as his mother Ata in the American sitcom based on his life, Young Rock.

Leilua will star alongside Frankie Adams in the series based on the book of the same name by Tusiata Avia.

Directed by Anapela Polataivao, it tackles ideas of racism with courage and comedy.

The production will come to the Bay of Plenty as part of the Tauranga Arts Festival, which starts today and runs until October 29, showcasing a range of creative talent.

Q&A with Stacy Leilua

What can people expect from your show? What do you want people to take away from this?

By definition, colonization is the act or process of settling and establishing control over the indigenous peoples of a given area. Wild colonizer is an honest response to this process and to the system in which we all grew up.

The charm of Tusiata’s writing lies in the beauty of her words, her arrangement of verse and imagery so delicate that it will tear you apart.

Before you know it, the tears are flowing and you quietly become enraged. I think that’s what I want people to take away from watching the show. Go on this journey with us and leave the theater with a different outlook on life.

What are you most looking forward to at the Tauranga Arts Festival?

I present this work to a new audience. This is the restoration of space, of our narrative. It feels like we have a gift to give to this particular area by performing at Te Tauranga Moana – and paying tribute to the ancestors of Ngati Ranginui, Ngāi Te Rangi and Ngāti Pukenga.

Ultimately, this should remind us that we own our past and hope for a changed future.

Can you briefly describe what brought you to where you are today in your career? Did you ever think you would end up where you are today?

Discovered a love for acting in high school when I was 15, attended drama school for three years and then joined the creative force that is Anapela Polataivao (director Wild colonizer) and have continued to maintain this creative relationship through numerous stage and screen projects for 21 years.

I have always been drawn to telling Pasifika stories and was part of the ensemble of Tusiat Avia’s first play, Wild dogs under my skirt.

What is your proudest moment when it comes to your craft?

When I share my craft with my daughter. Whether it was the rehearsal room for a theater show in Auckland or all the adventures we had together while traveling and filming. Young Rock. Being able to share this experience with her is a memory that will stay with me forever.

What advice do you have for other creatives?

Find your why. A career in the arts is not an easy path, but it can enrich your life in many ways.

Understanding why you do it and what motivates you can be a crucial cornerstone when the going gets tough.

Wild colonizer

When: October 28, 20:00.

Show time: 75 minutes.

Where: Addison Theatre, Baycourt.

Tickets: Tickets cost $20-$54 and can be purchased at taurangafestival.co.nz.

Information about the festival

There are eight free and community events throughout the festival. Tickets for events can be booked through Baycourt, the festival website or through Ticketek.

Live music will be at Carrus Crystal Palace; theater and comedy will be in Baycourt; and writers and thinkers from the University of Waikato’s Tauranga campus and Books-A-Plenty.

The Cargo Shed will host several free events including Tai Timu, Tai Pari which will be a platform for local artists, Zinefest, and a hip hop street dance workshop and battles.

Tauranga Art Gallery will present Wunderboxes, an interactive art trail for all ages, as well as The Mermaid Chronicles 2.0 exhibition at POP UP Gallery, 42 Devonport Road.

A pedestrian arts precinct was also created.

Carrus Crystal Palace is a licensed venue and some events have age guidelines.

The Bay of Plenty Times is a gold sponsor of the Tauranga Arts Festival.

Sira Olivier is the social affairs and breaking news reporter for NZME Bay of Plenty. Journalist since 2019.