Wan Smolbag Theatre
Encyclopedia
Wan Smolbag Theatre was established in Port Vila, Vanuatu
in 1989. It began as an amateur theatre group with 15 voluntary actors. Since that time WSB has established a national and regional reputation as a development theatre organisation that produces and delivers locally-produced, high quality film, radio and theatre productions that are complemented by a range of workshop and printed materials. Coupled with structured workshops facilitated by actors, the organisation uses drama to inform, raise awareness and encourage public discussion on a range of contemporary health, lifestyle, environment and governance issues.
The use of development theatre has led WSB into other areas such as reproductive heath clinics, youth centres, and a rural-based conservation network. In 1997, WSB spent six months working closely with the Blacksands/Tagabe peri-urban settlement community, which has high levels of unemployment and illiteracy. During this time a community play was developed, and research was conducted into many issues affecting the contemporary daily lives of community members. As result of this collaboration WSB initiated a new reproductive health clinic (Kam Pusum Hed or KPH) at its base in Port Vila. KPH has gone on to be a model for the region of a confidential, youth-friendly reproductive health service. They have also duplicated the KPH model in Santo, with the Northern Youth Care Clinic.
In December 2002 WSB was awarded the "Pacific People of the Year" accolade by Islands Business magazine.
As at October 2008, WSB had over 100 full- and part-time staff; actors, director, scriptwriter, finance and admin staff, graphic artist, nurses, peer educators, youth workers, film and radio technicians, and managers. WSB has its base at converted warehouses in Tagabe, Port Vila, but also has a youth centre on the island of Pentecost, and a reproductive health clinic and youth centre in Luganville, Santo. WSB has two associate theatre groups on the outer islands; Haulua Theatre based on Pentecost and Wuhuran Theatre based on Ambrym. WSB also has a network of over 200 volunteer turtle conservation monitors (Vanua-tai monitors) based on islands throughout Vanuatu.
In July 2009 WSB celebrated its 20th year of existence with performances of a powerful new play called "40 Dei" (40 days), and by inviting several overseas acts to come and participate in an 20th Anniversary Festival in Port Vila. Overseas performers included Polytoxic Dance Company from Brisbane, Nuffield Theatre from Southampton UK, Kurruru Theatre ,Diat Alferink and Steve Noonan all from Adelaide, Cie Les Kidams from Nouméa, Seini F. Taumoepeau from Sydney and New Zealand's Te Rakau.
The acting group is currently (April 2011) in rehearsal for their next major play "Zero Balans" and has just managed to secure funding for the Fifth Season of the TV drama "Love Patrol
".
Vanuatu
Vanuatu , officially the Republic of Vanuatu , is an island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean. The archipelago, which is of volcanic origin, is some east of northern Australia, northeast of New Caledonia, west of Fiji, and southeast of the Solomon Islands, near New Guinea.Vanuatu was...
in 1989. It began as an amateur theatre group with 15 voluntary actors. Since that time WSB has established a national and regional reputation as a development theatre organisation that produces and delivers locally-produced, high quality film, radio and theatre productions that are complemented by a range of workshop and printed materials. Coupled with structured workshops facilitated by actors, the organisation uses drama to inform, raise awareness and encourage public discussion on a range of contemporary health, lifestyle, environment and governance issues.
The use of development theatre has led WSB into other areas such as reproductive heath clinics, youth centres, and a rural-based conservation network. In 1997, WSB spent six months working closely with the Blacksands/Tagabe peri-urban settlement community, which has high levels of unemployment and illiteracy. During this time a community play was developed, and research was conducted into many issues affecting the contemporary daily lives of community members. As result of this collaboration WSB initiated a new reproductive health clinic (Kam Pusum Hed or KPH) at its base in Port Vila. KPH has gone on to be a model for the region of a confidential, youth-friendly reproductive health service. They have also duplicated the KPH model in Santo, with the Northern Youth Care Clinic.
In December 2002 WSB was awarded the "Pacific People of the Year" accolade by Islands Business magazine.
As at October 2008, WSB had over 100 full- and part-time staff; actors, director, scriptwriter, finance and admin staff, graphic artist, nurses, peer educators, youth workers, film and radio technicians, and managers. WSB has its base at converted warehouses in Tagabe, Port Vila, but also has a youth centre on the island of Pentecost, and a reproductive health clinic and youth centre in Luganville, Santo. WSB has two associate theatre groups on the outer islands; Haulua Theatre based on Pentecost and Wuhuran Theatre based on Ambrym. WSB also has a network of over 200 volunteer turtle conservation monitors (Vanua-tai monitors) based on islands throughout Vanuatu.
In July 2009 WSB celebrated its 20th year of existence with performances of a powerful new play called "40 Dei" (40 days), and by inviting several overseas acts to come and participate in an 20th Anniversary Festival in Port Vila. Overseas performers included Polytoxic Dance Company from Brisbane, Nuffield Theatre from Southampton UK, Kurruru Theatre ,Diat Alferink and Steve Noonan all from Adelaide, Cie Les Kidams from Nouméa, Seini F. Taumoepeau from Sydney and New Zealand's Te Rakau.
The acting group is currently (April 2011) in rehearsal for their next major play "Zero Balans" and has just managed to secure funding for the Fifth Season of the TV drama "Love Patrol
Love Patrol
Love Patrol is a ni-Vanuatu television series. It is the first ever locally-produced television series in Vanuatu. Produced by Wan Smolbag Theatre with financial assistance from AusAID, NZAID and the Asian Development Bank, it is a soap opera with a serious message, intended primarily to educate...
".
External links
- WSB Website
- http://www.pacificmagazine.net/issue/2002/12/01/pacific-people-of-the-year, Wan Smol Bag - Why they've been a success in the region, Mere Tuqiri, 2002.