Empty The Clip: Toi Whakaari graduates prepare for Fringe Festival

Recent graduates from New Zealand’s leading drama school are set to showcase their creative talents to Wellington audiences.

Toi Whakaari alumni from the class of 2024, Justice Tavita Kalolo (Ulutogia - Sāmoa, Pago Pago - American Sāmoa) and Grace Obrien, who is of Indian and Irish descent, will perform their show Empty The Clip at the Fringe Festival 2025.

Empty The Clip is a movement ensemble piece that incorporates elements of hip-hop, exploring the creators’ interpretations of “confinement, conformity, and capitalism”.

Kalolo and Obrien spoke with Tofiga Fepuleai on 531pi’s Island Time about their creative processes.

Kalolo says the title was initially a metaphor for his final assessment piece at Toi Whakāri, but has since evolved into a deeper, more grounded concept.

“To be honest, the name of the show has nothing to do with the show. For me, the name solely is a metaphor for just pouring everything into this last assessment of mine.

“I decided to keep it because it's the same show, but more grounded in a way.”

This has been performed twice at Toi Whakaari’s annual Festival of Work in Development (FWD) - a free school-wide showcase where students can test independent projects on public audiences.

Empty The Clip is a nine-piece show and Kalolo is both a choreographer and performing artist.

He says the choreography draws inspiration from dance narratives, merging his passion for movement with storytelling.

The production crew has four members with Obrien, who majored in design at Toi Whakaari, acting as the Director.

She says it was a collective and collaborative effort in creating the uniform appearance of the cast who wear matching black suits and a Guy Fawkes mask.

“[It] is like a symbol of rebellion, but we wanted to make it a bit different. We painted them silver so that the light just bounces off them.

“In the dark, the suits blend into the background and you just see these faces, silver masks, and they all look exactly the same.”

Kalolo adds, “The mask means unity against injustice and I started to ask myself, ‘What are ways I can contradict that meaning?’

“The idea of conformity came into my head. So that's why the mask is also painted silver.”

The troupe has started a Boosted campaign - an arts crowdfunding platform - to support their creative endeavours.

They hope that audiences will be challenged to think outside the box, while also expanding their skills and providing entertainment.

Obrien encourages those who saw the show last year to return and experience the revamped version of Empty The Clip.

“This time around we're using more props and I'd love for people who wouldn't normally come to theatre to see it and maybe get inspired, maybe feel like it's more accessible to them.”

Kalolo says it’s “strangely relatable”.

He wants viewers to reflect on society [through] a different lens and recognise how the themes of the piece relate to their own lives.

Catch Empty The Clip at the Wellington Fringe Festival from 19-22 February, 2025.