Josephine Mavaega
It wasn’t just the bright lights of the stage that attracted Josephine Mavaega to study musical theatre at Ara. The promise of comprehensive Pacific student support was a strong drawcard for her too.
Josephine, who was born in Christchurch but went to high school and university in Auckland, was working as a freelance performer in the City of Sails when the Covid pandemic hit. It motivated her to move back south.
“The opportunity to study the technical side of performing arts at NASDA was a nice reason to return home,” she says. “Also, I’d heard about the support Ara offers Pacific students, so I decided it was a good option for me to study there.”
Josephine started her Bachelor of Music Theatre at Ara in 2021, excited at the prospect of learning the craft of acting, dancing and theatre-style singing.
“NASDA turned out to be exactly how I imagined,” she recalls. “There were triple threats everywhere!”
Josephine says her tutors were very attentive to individuals’ strengths and weaknesses. “I was given personalised challenges that worked within my religious and cultural beliefs, which I greatly appreciated. The tutors were there on the floor with us and used relatable and engaging content.”
The 24-year-old's favourite activity during her studies was ensemble work. “I loved learning how to collaborate with different people and find your groove as a team.”
She also enjoyed being in the choir. “Hearing nearly a hundred students sing the most beautiful harmonies was definitely a highlight.”
In addition to learning and finetuning her craft, Josephine says it was also invaluable to be taught how to be a successful working artist. The professional studies component of her degree covered everything from creating a performer CV and business communication through to audition preparation, presentation and etiquette, which Josephine describes as “all those little tasks that are useful to know when you pursue this type of career”.
Throughout he studies, Ara’s Pacific Support team gave Josephine all the assistance she needed.
“They provided a space for me to feel safe and seen as a Pasifika student. They introduced me to Learning Services who helped me with my essays and time management. I also received financial support in the form of food vouchers during various Covid waves, and Cultural Home was also an essential service for my family – as a part-time caregiver, this helped me balance home and study.”
Looking back at her Ara experience, she feels grateful. “Ara treated me well in my three years there and the support services helped me achieve my degree. It really takes a village!”
As a newly minted graduate, Josephine is “very excited” to be joining the Theatre in Health Education Trust (THETA). The group is embarking soon on a tour of schools to promote health education through experimental theatre.
For anyone thinking of training at NASDA, Josephine has some inspirational advice. “It’s the perfect place and opportunity to make every mistake, be wrong and fail, because the support will always be there. The goal is never perfection but progress.”