Nesian Productions

16/04/2026

Honoured watching our mentor Fonotī Pati Umaga sit down with Joegan Daniels from The D*List to talanoa about Music Portrait of a Humble Disabled Samoan – a powerful story of resilience, culture and disability leadership woven on stage.
Loved hearing Phab and those long-time connections being acknowledged, and seeing how years of relationship and community are woven through this production.
Watch the full kōrero here: https://thedlist.co.nz/newsfeed/fonoti-pati-umaga-on-the-genre-defying-music-portrait-of-a-humble-disabled-samoan/

08/04/2026

Everyone always sees the final performance.. but no one ever sees the behind the scenes 🤣 the laughs, the chaos, the nerves, the final moments of rehearsing seconds before the stage and honestly? Moments like this makes it all worth it ✨ throwing it back to Polyfest 50th anniversary 2025

21/03/2026

Have you rsvp your spot yet?

Step into a space that celebrates your culture, creativity, and talent

If you’ve got a passion for performing, storytelling, music, movement, creativity, or whatever your talent may be, we’d love to meet you!

Nesian is about culture, connection, and creating together. So come audition and be part of a supportive creative community where everyone belongs.

📅 March 25th & 26th
⏰ 4PM – 6PM
📍 Tavern Lane, Papatoetoe

Message us through any of our socials or email [email protected] to reserve your spot

InclusiveArts

18/03/2026

Step into a space that celebrates your culture, creativity, and talent

If you’ve got a passion for performing, storytelling, music, movement, creativity, or whatever your talent may be, we’d love to meet you!

Nesian is about culture, connection, and creating together. So come audition and be part of a supportive creative community where everyone belongs.

📅 March 25th & 26th
⏰ 4PM – 6PM
📍 Tavern Lane, Papatoetoe

Message us through any of our socials or email [email protected] to reserve your spot

17/03/2026

Posting on Behalf of Director : Pelenakeke Brown

“This play is dark, funny, and shocking — a chance to explore big emotions, sharp wit, and messy humanity. If you’re unsure but interested — please audition! I can’t wait to meet you.”

🎭 AUDITION CALL – TEENAGE DICK 🎭

Self-tape auditions are now open for all roles in The Court Theatre’s upcoming production of Teenage Dick, directed by Pelenakeke Brown!
This bold, funny, and striking modern take on Shakespeare’s Richard III brings the drama to a contemporary high school — full of ambition, politics, and dark humour.

📅 Key Dates:
• Rehearsals begin: Mon 10 Aug 2026
• Production week: Mon 7 Sept 2026
• Show season: Sat 12 Sept – Sat 10 Oct 2026
• Post-show Q&A: Tues 15 Sept 2026

🕓 Audition deadline extended: 5pm, Mon 30 March 2026
Rehearsals will mainly run weekdays, 9am–5pm, at The Court Theatre (Ōtautahi).

Travel and accommodation support available for out-of-town actors.

🎬 Casting info:
• Adults (18+) to play teens.
• All genders, ethnicities, and experience levels welcome.
• Disabled actors are especially encouraged to apply — particularly for the roles of RICHARD (CP) and BUCK (wheelchair user).
• We are committed to an inclusive, accessible process with an intimacy & access coordinator involved.

📥 To apply: Submit your self-tape and completed audition form.
For details, scene materials, and submission instructions, visit:
👉 www.courttheatre.org.nz/auditions
Or email [email protected] for access needs or assistance.

09/03/2026

Super proud 🇼🇸❤️

They’ve wrapped up their time in Auckland and are now heading to Wellington! 🌟

If you’re in the area, you’re not too late — grab your tickets now! ‼️

For our disabled community, especially wheelchair users: wheelchair-accessible seating is available at all shows at Tāwhiri Warehouse.

All access tickets are $20, and companion tickets are free.
For more information or to book accessible tickets, please contact [email protected] or call (04) 473 0149.

Check out the link below:
https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2026/mar/anzfa-music-portrait

05/03/2026

Music Portrait of a Humble Disabled Samoan 🔊🇼🇸

What a night to remember! 💫 The energy, the faces, the mana in the room — all gathered to celebrate this powerful story of courage, humour, and hope.

Fonotī Pati Umaga is a proud Samoan musician, youth worker, and disability advocate who transformed a life-changing injury into a beautiful movement of strength and storytelling for our disabled and Pacific communities.

Music Portrait of a Humble Disabled Samoan brings his journey to the stage through live music, raw honesty, and full Pacific flavour, reminding us that gentle storytelling can move hearts just as deeply as any protest. The girls, including our very own Naomi 💜, are honoured and blessed to be part of this journey alongside Pati.

Back in 2018, Faithleen, Naomi and Lavinia opened the Music Awards with one of Pati’s originals “Siva”, and now sharing this stage beside him feels like the next chapter in a story still being written.

This is only the beginning. ✨
Nesian Productions is proud to stand alongside Pati and our youth, carrying forward his legacy through the next generation of Pasifika disabled storytellers, movers, and leaders.

28/01/2026

Truly humbled that our dancers Lavinia and Faithleen are part of the creative team bringing Fonoti Pati Umaga’s story to life 🙌🏽

Music Portrait of a Humble Disabled Samoan is a powerful story, full of truth, laughter, and heart.

Fonoti was raised in Wainuiomata and was told by his dad to either become a minister or a lawyer. But he followed his own calling, music. 🎶 In 2005, a fall changed his life forever, leaving him a tetraplegic. Through the challenges, he found new strength, purpose, and healing in ways he never imagined.

This show brings together live music, storytelling, and visual art to celebrate resilience, hope, and the fire that music carries. 🔥

Pati has been huge in shaping who Nesian is, his mana, his vision, his heart. We’re so grateful to be part of this journey and would love to see you all come through and show Lavinia and Faithleen some love! 💙

Catch Music Portrait of a Humble Disabled Samoan at the Auckland Arts Festival, March 5th–8th! 🌺

O le Afioga ia Fonotī Pati Umaga, sa soifua a’e i Wainuiomata ma o le fa’atonuga a lona tamā, na’o le lua galuega e te sailia. A le o le Faifeau, o le Loia

23/01/2026