MOANA JOHNSON
Who are you?
Moana Johnson Favourite 90s pop culture reference/memory Spice girls. First CD/Tape you owned Brandy ‘the boy is mine’ A brief something about your character? Aira is a strong, loving, protective mother bear who only wants the best for her boys. What does the show mean to you? Love. Favourite lyrics - My neck, my back... you know the rest 😉” WOLFGANG SCHMIDT
Who are you?
Wolfgang Schmidt, born and raised on Great Barrier Island of Ngati Maniapoto blood. First CD/Tape you owned My first CD was when I was 14 and I believe it was Justin Timberlake - Justified Something about your character. I play Officer Samuel "hamuera Samuel's" A conflicted and strickly structure young man who wants nothing more than to put the BAD in its place, so GOOD can flourish. However his ways are not so straightforward and he finds himself making mistakes in heated situations. What do you like about the show? This show is a collaborative process of love, support and hard work. Being introduced to this team of artists has been such a joy. From the first night we all met, as walked into equity's space on K Rd, the attention and intention to the craft was generous and glorious. With minimal resources and time. It is a labour of love and has reminded if not only myself, that art is a collective mind.” RAVIKANTH GURUNATHAN
Who are you?
Ravikanth Gurunathan, or Ravi for short. Performer, nerd and lover of Mint chocolate. Favourite 90s pop culture reference/memory of the 90s? Pokemon Blue. First step into Nerdom. First CD/Tape you owned? I strongly believe it was Justified - Justin Timberlake. A brief something about your character? Jamal is a young indian boy ready to defy stereotypes and live his best life. Mr Raju is just a dad trying to give his son a good foundation to lead a successful life. What does the show mean to you? This show is a glimpse into the life of many young teens that is hardly talked about. The pressures you start to feel at a young age to act a certain way and how we deal with those pressures Favourite lyric? I got techniques dripping out my buttcheeks, sleep on my stomach so I don't fuck up my sheets. - The Notorious B.I.G, Ready to Die 1994 |
JAMES JENNINGS
Who are you?
Kia orana! My name is James Jennings. Artist. Favourite 90s pop culture reference/memory of the 90s? Playstation 1, Peter Andre’s Mysterious Girl, the awkwardness of Intermediate school. First CD/Tape you owned? First Cassette- Mortal Kombat the movie soundtrack, Mum wasn’t happy about that one. First CD- Michael Jackson’s “Bad” Album, this made more sense to Mum. A brief something about your character? Ashton is the younger brother of Kiwa both attending Lytton High School in Gisborne in 1999. Ashton is intelligent, caring and still very innocent. He is beginning to cross that line into adulthood but is still a very cheeky and playful child at heart. What does the show mean to you? What it means to be a teenager in New Zealand in the 90s and in modern times. A lot of the same pressures exist and we all have the ability to lead, support and help our children of Aotearoa to a loving future.” TIMMIE CAMERON
Who are you?
My name is Timmie Cameron, Hi. Favourite 90s pop culture reference/memory of the 90s? ‘Paradiso' ice creams (RIP), 'All That'/Kenan and Kel' and low angle shots in every 90's music video ever. First CD/Tape you owned? 'Do the Bartman' By Bart Simpson and/or 'Badjelly the witch' narrated by Spike Milligan A brief something about your character? Isabel is a pakeha girl growing up in Gisborne in 1999. She's trying to navigate a serious relationship without really knowing how to. What does the show mean to you? Community and unity” NGAHIRIWA RAUHINA
Who are you?
Kia Ora whanau, my name is Ngahiriwa Rauhina. I’m from Whakarewarewa, Rotorua. And Motiti, Tauranga. Bit of Dothraki and Wildling in there too. Favourite 90s pop culture reference/memory? Saturday morning cartoons. Although my favourite (Transformers) is from the 80s. Having to request the song you like on the radio -> Then wait for it to play -> Then press the record and play button at the same time to record it! Hahaha. First CD/Tape you owned? I don’t remember owning my own CDs but it may have been ‘Bone Thugs n Harmony’. I just used to listen to my older brothers things. A brief something about your character? Kiwa is the dude who would always have “Shows a lot of potential...” or “Easily distracted” on his report cards. He’s a deep thinker who puts forward he isn’t. He loves his family, his friends, his people. He definitely feels the disconnect from his Māoritanga. Like me, doesn’t understand why things like racism even exists. Or why he is subjected to such a thing. What does the show mean to you? Whanau. This journey has been such a blessing! Even going back to last year. WAITĪ is a company built on love. This show was fostered with love. This cast and crew are accepted with love. This show is just a small snippet into what is up for our youth. It’s important to throw it out there and let it land. Create understanding and hopefully change. Favourite lyrics? “NAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANTS INGONYAAAAAAAAAAAAAMA BAGITHI BABA!” |