Audacious Dancing

Growing Pasifika Leaders for South Auckland through the Performing Arts

Authors

  • Michelle Johansson Ako Mātātupu: Teach First NZ

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18432/ari29748

Keywords:

Pasifika, theatre, education, South Auckland, Southside Rise

Abstract

Audacious Dancing is an evolving framework for critically considering indigenous Pasifika art-making, legacy-leaving, education, service and leadership through the lens of social justice. Located at the juncture of the performing arts and education for young Pasifika leaders in South Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand, and drawing on indigenous scholarship in the performing arts, Audacious Dancing offers a way to consider what it means to be a ‘creative native’, learning and leading across generations, cultures and artforms. The four strands - courageous space, indigenous excellence, critical hope and powerful action - weave intergenerational indigenous knowledges with what it means to be growing up Pasifika in the largest Polynesian city in the world.

Author Biography

Michelle Johansson, Ako Mātātupu: Teach First NZ

Michelle Johansson is a Tongan mother, educator, theatre-maker, and former high school dropout. She serves as Kaitiaki|CEO at Ako Mātātupu: Teach First NZ, growing exceptional people to teach in low-decile schools. She is Kaiwhakahaere at Māia Centre for Social Justice and Education; and the Creative Director of the Black Friars Theatre Company. South Auckland, decile one born and bred, Michelle is committed to re-storying Pasifika in the largest Polynesian city in the world, to activating heritage literacies, and to holding courageous spaces for Pasifika young people to walk tall in both of their worlds.

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Published

2024-01-31

How to Cite

Johansson, M. (2024). Audacious Dancing: Growing Pasifika Leaders for South Auckland through the Performing Arts. Art/Research/International:/A/Transdisciplinary/Journal, 8(2), 547–562. https://doi.org/10.18432/ari29748

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 2 (2024): (Re)crafting Creative Criticality: Indigenous Intergenerational Rhythms and Post–COVID Desires

Section

Section Two: Relationality

License

Copyright (c) 2024 Michelle Johansson

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