Phoenix rising

Three talented teens have come up trumps after taking their original idea across the Tasman, reports Valerie Schuler
Henderson's got talent. No, really. It has. Not one, but three young entertainers from Henderson High School have been hand-picked to tour Australia with the Phoenix New Zealand Young Performers troupe.
Hip-hop dancer Tai Lauiti, 16, and sisters Vicki-Leigh, 16, and Abby Fryer, 15, took their play Journey across the Tasman last month.
They performed the fusion of dance, music and theatre at schools throughout the Gold Coast.
The play, which they wrote, is a collection of short stories about being a teenager in Aotearoa. It addresses teenage pregnancy, relationships and the death of loved ones.
The talented trio was in a group of 14 Auckland teens.
"We had to show real commitment and a desire to be part of the crew," says vocalist Vicki-Leigh.
"It was our first time overseas and an amazing experience."
They learned a great deal from the experience. "The critics were really tough. If we didn't do well, they told us," says Abby.
Drama teacher Jay Williams says the Aussies were incredibly impressed with the Kiwi kids' ability to write and perform their own play.
"I got a lot of positive feedback about them interpreting their own, rather than sticking to something like Shakespeare," he says.
The teenagers raised the money for the trip with sausage sizzles, fundraising shows and by selling chocolate bars. Their work, and a little help from parents, did the trick.
Everyone pitched in to help the families who couldn't come up with the money.
Mr Williams set up Phoenix New Zealand Young Performers last year to offer mentoring to 11 to 18 year olds.
"We wanted to provide alternatives out of school," he says.
"There's not really anything out there that's a mix of dance, drama and music that kids from different schools and backgrounds can take part in."
Phoenix is all about about selfdevelopment and fulfilling potential through performing arts.
"The awesome thing about Phoenix is that it brings young people together who think about more than just their own needs," says Mr Williams.
Forty-five teens from South and West Auckland are in the group. Mr Williams hopes to have more than 100 by the end of next year.
Phoenix is funded by families who chip in to pay for tuition and venue hire, but Mr Williams hopes that Waitakere City Council will help with future funding.
Last week, the crew gave a special performance for council representatives. The group is also planning a New Zealand season of Journey later this year, with dates and a venue still to be confirmed.
More info: nzyp@hotmail.com