Coromind - Issue 34 - October25 - Coromandel's Collaborative Magazine - Flipbook - Page 38
MBPA SHINES
BRIGHT AGAIN!
Next Stop: Beauty and the Beast Jr.!
What a journey it has been!
What began as an idea, to give young people on the Coromandel a chance to step
into the spotlight, quickly grew into something far greater. From gathering a small
party of creative ‘doers’ to staging one of the peninsula’s 昀椀nest inaugural productions
in years, Mercury Bay Performing Arts (MBPA) has already shown what passion,
teamwork and belief can achieve.
The road wasn’t easy. There were hundreds of hours of phone calls, juggling logistics,
last-minute 昀椀xes, pickups, drop-o昀昀s and headaches, along with eureka moments.
But every ounce of e昀昀ort was rewarded when audiences poured in, 昀椀lling every seat
for the debut production of Disney’s Aladdin Jr. earlier this year. (More than 1,000
audience members across eight sold-out performances!)
The show was nothing short of spectacular. Fifty-six young performers, all under the
age of 18, lit up the stage with energy, colour, and music. For some, it was their 昀椀rst
time under the lights; for others, it was the moment they discovered what will be a
lifelong love of performance. Parents, grandparents and friends cheered until the
rafters shook, and glowing reviews rolled in from every corner of the community.
Aladdin became a celebration of what’s possible when creativity meets opportunity.
One parent summed it up beautifully: “She has struggled with con昀椀dence over the
years and this really gave her a boost and helped her believe in herself. She gained so
many skills from this experience and is very excited to audition for next year’s show.”
Auditions
And this was the magic: what began as a stage production became a whānau.
Children not only sang, danced and acted, but learned teamwork, resilience and
leadership. Senior students mentored juniors, friendships blossomed, and every
performer found their place in the shared story.
Thursday 20 Nov: 4.00pm - 6:30pm
Friday 21 Nov: 4.00pm - 6:30pm
Sunday 23 Nov: 10.30am - 2:30pm
The support from the wider community was nothing short of overwhelming. Local
businesses, schools and volunteers stepped up, ensuring that every costume was
sewn, every prop was painted, and every child had their chance to shine. What
unfolded wasn’t just a production – it was proof that Mercury Bay was ready, and
hungry, for performing arts.
Monkey House, 18 Coghill St, Whitianga
Now, the spotlight shifts to the next chapter: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr.
Once again, Mercury Bay Performing Arts will bring together young talent from
across the peninsula to create a magical production that promises to be bigger,
brighter and even more breathtaking than the last. Auditions are just around the
corner, and the excitement is already building.
We can’t wait to bring this magical show to life with our young performers –
and we know the community will once again rally to cheer them on.
For more information about our auditions, please visit: www.mbpa.nz
If you or your business would like to become a sponsor, please contact us at:
mercurybaypa@gmail.com
Words by
Coromind.nz | 37
Fabian Roberts
Show Week
May 6 (Sponsors Night)
May 7 - 9
May 14 - 16
Coro Club Main Hangar
Sca n h eere
f漀爀 m漀爀 n
In f漀爀m a t i o
Or visit: www.coromind.nz/
mbpa-beauty-beast/
