Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
To The Stars | Ki Ngā Whetū is an original multimedia theatre production commissioned specifically for the opening of the Waikato Regional Theatre/BNZ Theatre in January 2026. The show was staged over three nights for the civic opening from 19 - 21 January. This performance was on the 20th. It is a celebration built through the hands, voices, and imaginations of the Waikato community, bringing together whānau, neighbours, schools, kapa haka groups, choirs, musicians, dancers, and makers of every kind in a shared act of creation.
The story focuses on a family, their relationship and the creativity that binds them. At this point in the story, Grandfather hands down a wooden toy plane as a catalyst for encouraging the Child to dream; to explore ideas of flight with a call of “If only I could fly”. This shifts the Child back into a kind of dream space, encountering a youth choir, aerial silks performers, stiltwalker and dancers all exploring flowing movement and feelings of flight.
Music by Jeremy Mayall, Lyrics by Aimee Anderson-O’Connor. Featuring Silas Marks, voice. The full performance of To the Stars | Ki Ngā Whetū can be found here: youtu.be/q5fxNNDULyI
Audio mixed and mastered by Jeremy Mayall. Filmed and edited by Chris Watson for SOUNZ. Film funded by NZ On Air.
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Learn more about the composers and performers of music from Aotearoa New Zealand on our website (sounz.org.nz), or by following us on Facebook (@SOUNZnz), Instagram (@sounz_nz), or TikTok (@sounz_nz).
#nzmusic
To The Stars | Ki Ngā Whetū is an original multimedia theatre production commissioned specifically for the opening of the Waikato Regional Theatre/BNZ Theatre in January 2026. The show was staged over three nights for the civic opening from 19 - 21 January. This performance was on the 20th. It is a celebration built through the hands, voices, and imaginations of the Waikato community, bringing together whānau, neighbours, schools, kapa haka groups, choirs, musicians, dancers, and makers of every kind in a shared act of creation.
The story focuses on a family, their relationship and the creativity that binds them. At this point in the story, Grandfather hands down a wooden toy plane as a catalyst for encouraging the Child to dream; to explore ideas of flight with a call of “If only I could fly”. This shifts the Child back into a kind of dream space, encountering a youth choir, aerial silks performers, stiltwalker and dancers all exploring flowing movement and feelings of flight.
Music by Jeremy Mayall, Lyrics by Aimee Anderson-O’Connor. Featuring Silas Marks, voice. The full performance of To the Stars | Ki Ngā Whetū can be found here: youtu.be/q5fxNNDULyI
Audio mixed and mastered by Jeremy Mayall. Filmed and edited by Chris Watson for SOUNZ. Film funded by NZ On Air.
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Learn more about the composers and performers of music from Aotearoa New Zealand on our website (sounz.org.nz), or by following us on Facebook (@SOUNZnz), Instagram (@sounz_nz), or TikTok (@sounz_nz).
#nzmusic
