Code-Switch
2021 National Tour
Synopsis
“Want a future that’ll make your family proud? What about success and happiness? You’ll find all this and more at Camp Mana.”
A new door opens for Hemi and Anna as they’re accepted into the prestigious ‘Camp Mana,’ a program designed to prepare promising school leavers to succeed in the ‘real’ world. The pair come from a low socio-economic area and are given the opportunity to defy the odds. But there’s always a catch – how much will they have to give up to succeed?
“Code-Switch” is a collaborative live cinema experience combining film, dance and live stage theatre that explores what happens to young people when dreams, values, and social contexts clash. Follow the illusions and disillusionment of two students whose lives are a little bit like all of ours: Hemi, the artistic and naive blank slate, and Anna, the ambitious and determined over-achiever. From choosing between passion and financial stability, to juggling the pressures of family and culture, the decisions they make will have consequences – whether they like it or not.
The Cast
Also starring
Ipolani Magalei as Lani
Nirvika Nair as Sameera
Andrea Shapleski as Mary
Matthew Rimamate as Michael
Marie Su’a as Hemi’s Mum
Dancers
Anaru Ratu
Andrea Shapleski
Avila Hafoka
Susan Gounder
Esau Knowles
Letoe’e Knowles
Noah Tauti
Sheik Samar Ali
Epirosalina Magalei
Ipolani Magalei
The Crew
Director
Ryan Patumaka
Writers
Nirvika Nair
Marietta Apulu
Lex Shoemark
Stage Management
Marietta Apulu
Lainey Makitamou
Mikaela Malota-Morgan
Zaafir Shameem
Leo Tikinau
Lighting & Projection
Nirvika Nair
John Thai
Asish Chand
Noah Maugatai
Title Sequence Designer
Sharfa Nisha
Dance Directors
Faith Schuster
Deana Lao
Cinematographer
Kevin Vi
Sound Technician
Noah Maugatai
Senior Editor
Nirvika Nair
Editors
Asish Chand
Noah Maugatai
John Thai
Helen Thai
Graphic Designers / Animators
Faith Wilson
Noah Tolai
Business & Ushers
Anisah Mazid
Asish Chand
John Thai
Krisha Raju
Lainey Makitamou
Leo Tikinau
Maneet Singh
Adult / Mentor Support
Muzaffar Ali
Joy Williams
Kaylene Tewake
Kelly Morrison
Cris Cucerzan
Mataniu Magalei
Shaquelle Maybury
Angela White
Director’s Note
Ryan Patumaka
BA Communications, PGDip Communications
To join a team of wonderful and skilled individuals who have already executed amazing productions in the past, daunting is an understatement. However privileged I felt being invited to join, it came with its own trove of fears and doubts. Despite this, the amazing and welcoming nature of each member, matched with a keen sense of determination and innate skill, made my experience directing this show super rewarding and it is without a doubt one of the best experiences I’ve had.
Directing a project like Code-Switch, it was vital that we shone a light on an experience shared by many but not often acknowledged or seen as anything but real life. As the writers wrote, and the editors edited, I could see everyone involved in the process invest sections of their own experiences and their own histories, creating pieces of art which reflected parts of all the stories we as BIPOC, and we as South Aucklanders, have to tell. To have a team full of individuals who could read the script and relate immediately, maintaining the vision as its director bore no difficulty.
Personally, picking up the script was almost like picking up my own diary. Being Pasifika and LGBTQ+ and navigating spaces where either aspects of my character could be looked upon unkindly, code-switching becomes useful. However, It is also draining, being less than who you are in order to fit into places who want more than what you can give. This is why this story is important to me, and why the team and I are super passionate and excited to share it.
