In Transit full cast during rehearsal at the Mangere Arts Centre Photo: RNZ/ Sela Jane Aholelei
The first Pacific African theatre production in Aotearoa takes the stage in south Auckland in May.
Titled 'In Transit' the play is directed by the founder of Tala Pasifika Productions, Justine Simei-Barton.
Based on true stories collected by actress Wanjiku Kiarie Sanderson, 'In Transit' revolves around eight characters sharing the stories of African refugees and migrants to New Zealand.
In the cast of eight, three are played by Pasifika actors, Tom Tedrow-Nateoalofa, Sonaalofa Eliesa and Sam Iosefo, playing a variety of roles from an African father to a troubled teenage daughter.
Actor Tom Tedrow Nateoalofa plays an African political character, and says it was a massive struggle for him to get into and understand his role.
"It's actually a big struggle to play a character when you are not of that ethnic background. I was given great advice from one of the African brothers in the cast who told me that I didn't have to look far, it's in my DNA. That gave me the confidence to play my character."
Tom Tedrow-Nateoalofa, acting as Nyote in the show In Transit. Photo: RNZ/ Sela Jane Aholelei
Intergenerational conflict between parents and first generation New Zealand-born children in the African community is the most prominent theme driving the play.
In Transit highlights the truths of first generation Africans desperately wanting to be recognised as Kiwis, trying to find themselves, while still respecting their parents and their culture.
Actor Sam Iosefo says his character as an African father, tries to educate his son on their cultural heritage and where he is from.
"In the beginning of the play, my son strongly stands on the western side of things. He wants to do a role change where he represents the youth trying to educate the elders because the older generation, the generation my character is in, is always stuck in the past."
Mr Iosefo shares that exploring his character has made him appreciate the similarities between how African and Pacific people felt moving to New Zealand, as well as the differences.
"We're fortunate enough that we didn't have to go through what the Africans had to go through by choice. It was basically the only option available to them to escape their country to come here as refugees, where as us guys, our families, it was a choice, either for us to hop on the plane or not or stay back in Samoa."
Actors Tom Tedrow-Nateoalofa and Sam Iosefo. Photo: RNZ/ Sela Jane Aholelei
The ensemble is a fusion of actors, musicians and dancers from African, Pacific and Māori backgrounds from Auckland and Wellington.
Music director Poulima Salima has incorporated the Samoan Pātē or wooden slit drum that is used to in the show along with the African style of drumming.
Mr Salima says that the Pacific rhythm and sound is different to the African style, but compliments their style well.
The opening night for 'In Transit' is on Thursday the 4 May and will run through until Saturday 13 May.