TROY TU'UA - CREATIVE NZ PASIFIKA ARTS 'SPECIAL RECOGNITION' AWARD WINNER

Troy Tu'ua was one of 8 Pasifika artists to win an award at the 2022 Creative New Zealand Pasifika Arts awards - a Special recognition award for his contribution to Pacific arts in New Zealand. 

Troy is a multi-disciplinary artist and one of the first-ever graduates of the Pacific Institute of Performing Arts. 

This year he directed the hit theatre show "Dawn Raids" by Oscar Kightley produced by Pacific Underground and Auckland Theatre Company.

He is also the artistic director of Pacific theatre dance collective, Sau E Siva Creatives.

We caught up with Troy for a quick Q&A prior to the awards ...

Describe your art to us, what’s unique about it to you?

Honestly, I just run my projects at a professional standard but with family and culture at the forefront.

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What do you love about doing what you do? 

Being able to creative freely, push boundaries and to think outside the box with like minded passionate creatives in a safe space.

Accepting all offers brought to the table whether it be trying out a new choreography or an idea for a storyline for a show and I thrive off being challenged creatively.

Tell me what your next or upcoming project is? 

I'm currently writing and Directing a theatre show called "ALATINI" , basically a Poly twist to the well known story of ALADDIN. With a cast of 40 talented Maori/Pasifika artists from our community along with a 6 piece Band "The Backline" to be playing at Q Theatre (Rangatira) next week.  

What inspires you in life and in your art making?

Investing in talents within our community is what makes me happy. Providing a safe space and platform for our people to carry out their passion for the arts as well as learning more about their culture. Identity is something most of our youth struggle with nowadays so having this platform is a way of me and my team SAU E SIVA CREATIVES giving back. 

'There is a Samoan proverb "O le tele o sulu e maua ai se figota, e māmā se avega pe a ta among fa'atasi" which translates "My strength does not come from me alone, but from many".