STAGES

STAGES by Yael Gezentsvey

When a restless Kiwi actress and mother, Yael, is drawn into a book of the renowned Maria Dronke, she finds herself travelling through space and time, weaving past and present together through a series of fantastical one-on-one acting classes with Maria that explore their ancestry and craft, forcing Yael to face her fears in order to find hope, purpose and inspiration to carry her through.

Maria Dronke was a...

Maria Dronke was a star of the European stage who fled Nazi Germany for the safety of New Zealand and went on to train the first generation of NZ theatre icons.

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STAGES

Character Information

3 women

Maria Dronke

German Jewish actress of the European Stages, teacher and mother,
who fled Nazi Germany for safety to New Zealand. Passionate and
headstrong, resonant voice, magnetic presence. She speaks English
with an RP accent, with a hint of her German accent. Maria presents
as 40 years old, from the late 1930's - early 1940's but she jumps
space and time through the play. Maria trained the first generation of
New Zealand professional actors, and changed the face of New Zealand theatre.

Character Age

45 - 65

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Jewish

Character Gender Identity

Female
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  40s,
  
  50s,
  
  60s
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Woman
Yael Gezentsvey

Present Day, Kiwi Jewish thespian and mother of two. Curious,
sensitive, creative. She is almost 40, lives in Wellington and has
a New Zealand accent.

Character Age

37 - 47

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Jewish

Character Gender Identity

Female
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  30s,
  
  40s
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Woman
Lolein

Governess to Maria Dronke, both when Maria was a child, and then to
Maria’s children. Loyal and hardworking. She speaks only German -
(Actress needs to be able to speak German). Lölein presents as 58
years old from the late 1930's - early 1940's but she jumps space and
time through the play.

Character Age

50 -75

Character Gender Identity

Female
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  40s,
  
  50s,
  
  60s,
  
  70s+
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Woman

Development History

Type Commission, Organization Creative New Zealand, The German Embassy NZ, The Hannah Playhouse Wellington NZ, Year 2024
Type Workshop, Organization Kavanah Productions, Year 2024
Type Residency, Organization The Hannah Playhouse Wellington, New Zealand, Year 2023, 2024
Type Workshop, Organization Alliance for Jewish Theatre New Play Lab, Year 2023
Type Workshop, Organization Playmarket New Zealand Te Hono : Connector initiative , Year 2023