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Amanaki Prescott-Faletau

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Amanaki Prescott-Faletau
Amanaki smiles at the camera, her hair is out and she is wearing a red dress.
Born
Amanaki Lelei Faletau-Prescott

Ōtāhuhu Auckland
NationalityTongan
Alma materPacific Institute of Performing Arts
Known forActing, Dancing, Writing
MovementHip Hop Vogue (dance) Siva Samoa Tau'olunga Ura (dance) Krumping
Websitehttps://finepasifika.org.nz/

Amanaki Lelei Prescott-Faletau is an actor, writer, dancer, choreographer, producer and director of Tongan descent, living in New Zealand.[1] As a playwright, she became the first fakaleitī to have her work published in New Zealand with Inky Pinky Ponky (co-written with Leki Jackson-Bourke). This play was awarded Best Teenage Script (2015) by New Zealand Playmarket. As an actor, she was awarded best performance at the 2015 Auckland Fringe Festival for Victor Rodger's Girl on the Corner. Her acting credits include The Breaker Upperers (2018), SIS (2020), The Panthers (2021), The Pact (2021) and Sui Generis (2022), in which she is also a writer for the TV series.[2] Faletau competed as a dancer in the World Hip Hop Dance Championships in 2011 and has been a judge at the National Hip Hop Championships in New Zealand over several years.

Early life

[edit]

Faletau was born in New Zealand. Both of her parents are Tongan, from the villages Sopu and Vava'u. When her parents migrated to New Zealand in the 1980s, her mother worked as a tailor and her father worked as a mechanic. The family lived in Mount Roskill, Auckland, where she grew up as one of 13 siblings.[3] Assigned male at birth, she knew from a young age that she identified as a girl.[4] Growing up in a traditional religious Tongan family, she began performing and dancing at church events. From 2003 she attended Lynfield College and won the school's talent quest competition at the age of 15.[3] From then on Faletau went on to compete in multiple national Hip Hop competitions in New Zealand and on two separate occasions had travelled to Los Angeles to compete in the World Hip Hop Dance Championships in 2008 and 2011.[1]

Biography

[edit]

In 2007 Faletau studied a dance major/vocal minor at Excel School of Performing Arts, not completing her studies, Faletau began building her dance career in the dancing styles of Vogue, Krump, Locking, Popping, Waacking, Hip hop, eventuating in a culmination of the dance group Vogue, (with creative assistance and direction from Parris Goebel) where they competed at the World Hip Hop Dance Championships in 2011.[5] Faletau went on to study at PIPA (Pacific Institute of Performing Arts), attaining her diploma and later completing her Bachelors in 2017 majoring in Performing arts.[6] During her time at PIPA, Faletau learnt multiple Pacific heritage dance forms from a variety of Pacific Islands such as Siva Samoa (Samoa), Ura (Cook Islands), Tau'olunga (Tonga) and Takalo (Niue).[7][8] Since then, Faletau has judged the National Hip Hop Championships in New Zealand for the past seven years and as a guest judge at multiple local high school talent quests.[9]

In 2013 Faletau co-founded the performing arts collective Fine Fatale with frequent collaborator Mario Faumui, to provide a platform that highlights and amplifies the voices of Māori and Pasifika Trans and Queer artists and is the lead choreographer.[10][11][12] Since its inception Fine Fatale have staged numerous multi-disciplinary live performances, merging Pacific heritage dance, street dance, singing, and cabaret.[13] In February 2015, Fine Fatale debuted their work Freak Show, as part of the Auckland Pride Festival.[14] Fine Fatale developed Freak Show and staged Le Freak at Māngere Arts Centre as part of the Urbanesia Festival in Auckland with Amanaki being acknowledged by multiple reviewers for her choreography and performance.[15][16][17] Fine Fatale premiered a new work Geish/Tuiga welding contemporary movement with tradition Samoan dance for the 2018 Auckland Pride Festival.[18][12] In 2019, Fine Fatale partnered with Auckland Live for their cabaret season with, The Heels are Alive, presented at the Wintergarden in Civic Theatre, Auckland.[19][20] Following their Cabaret season, Fine Fatale were selected as Pavilions by Creative New Zealand to represent New Zealand in Hawai'i for the Festival of Pacific arts and culture in 2020.[21] In 2021 Fine Fatale presented Fever:Return of the Ula, at the Civic, with Auckland Live.[22] Following the completion of their cabaret season at Civic Theatre, the company will take Fever: Return of the Ula, on a nationwide tour in New Zealand with their successful Boosted x Moana crowdfunding campaign with Arts Foundation of New Zealand.[23]

MVPFAFF is an acronym for Pacific indigenous identifying terms - Mahu (Hawai'i), Vakasalewalewa (Fiji), Palopa (Papua New Guinea), Fa’afafine (Samoa), Akava’ine (Cook Islands), Fakafifine (Niue), and Fakaleiti/leiti (Tonga). Faletau is an advocate for both MVPFAFF and LGBTQIA+ communities.[24] As part of this advocacy, Faletau co-produced the first Pasifika Pride festival in New Zealand, providing a space for Pasifika people to celebrate their queerness in duality with their culture and religion.[25] The Pasifika Pride festival is one of several projects and programmes delivered through the charitable trust that is F'INE Pasifika,[26] founded by Nuiean human rights activist Phylesha Brown-Acton.[27][28] One of these projects was the F.I.N.E. Festival at the Māngere Arts Centre in Auckland 2021.[29]

As an actor Faletau has collaborated with Samoan and Nuiean actors, writers, directors and producers, Anapela Polataivao, Vela Manusaute, Robbie Magasiva and Victor Rodger. Her collaboration with Victor Rodger on the play Girl on the Corner, was awarded best performance in the Auckland Fringe awards (2015) and Club Paradiso staged at BATS Theatre in 2015 and 2019.[30] She has also featured in a number of theatre and live performances directly tied to the issues that the MVPFAFF+ and LGBTQIA+ community continue to face, such as Music and Me (2012), Teen Faggots Come to Life (2014) and Fala Muncher (2018 and 2021).[31][32][33] Faletau also featured as a choreographer with her work Fanau Tagata in the Matala Festival, the first Tongan arts festival in New Zealand.[34][35]

As a writer Faletau's play Inky Pinky Ponky has been staged in numerous theatres in Auckland including the Basement Theatre at the 2015 Next Big Thing youth festival commissioned by Auckland Theatre Company and at Māngere Arts Centre and in local high school productions.[36][37][38] Its latest development was part of the F.I.N.E. festival in 2021, featuring Amanaki as the character she wrote herself, Lisa.[29] Inky Pinky Ponky was published in 2017 in an anthology named Talanoa: Four Pacific Plays, a compilation of four Pacific plays by a number of Pasifika New Zealand Playwrights.[39] In 2021, this received funding from NZ on Air to be developed into a series for Māori Television.[40]

Faletau has also won the Fresh Factor Pageant (2012), and modelled for New Zealand Samoan fashion designer Lindah Lepou.[1][41]

Faletau was the principal choreographer for Auckland Theatre Company for multiple shows (2011–2013).[42]

In 2016 Faletau spoke on a panel platforming women of influence and innovation in New Zealand, Extraordinary Tales of Strength & Daring.[43]

Her inspirations are her parents, siblings, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, Toni Braxton, Sālote Tupou III, Nafanua and Dame Whina Cooper.[3]

Awards

[edit]
  • 2012 - Fresh Factor Pageant[1]
  • 2015 - Auckland Fringe Awards - Best Performance - Girl on the Corner by Victor Rodger
  • 2015 - New Zealand Playmarket - Best Teenage Script - Inky Pinky Ponky co-written Amanaki Faletau-Prescott & Leki Jackson Bourke
  • 2022 - FAME Mid-Career Award (FAME Trust)[44]

Filmography

[edit]

Films and short films

[edit]
Year Film Role Notes Ref.
2018 The Breaker Upperers Sepa's Crew Feature Film [45]
2020 Gurl, directed, written and produced by Mika X Mystik Ama Short Film
2023 Inky Pinky Ponky, directed by Damon Fepulea’i and Ramon Te Wake, (screened on MĀORI+2 and The Coconet) writer, lead Lisa Film on TV [46][47][48]

Television series

[edit]
Year Series Role Notes Ref
2012 Both Worlds Herself Notable Pictures [41]
2015 Fresh TV Multiple roles The Coconet TV [49][50][51]
2020 SIS Naki Comedy Central [52][53]
2021 The Pact Dia TVNZ OnDemand [54]
2022 Sui Generis Issa and writer (episode 1) TVNZ OnDemand [55]
2022 Inky Pinky Ponky Writer TVNZ Pre-production [56]

Theatre

[edit]
Year Play Role Notes Ref
2011 Polly Hood In Mumuland Choreographer Auckland Theatre Company, Dir. Tama Waipara [57]
2012 Music and Me Deshanel Dir. Asalemo Tofete [31]
2012 A Frigate Bird Sings Shaniqua Auckland Theatre Company, Dir. Alison Quigan
2012 Fanau Tagata Choreographer Matala Festival
2012 Checkout Chicks Choreographer ATC Dir. Simon Coleman and Jason Te Mete [42]
2014 Teen Faggots Come to Life Actor/Herself Basement Theatre
2014 Miss Understood Actor/Choreographer/Writer Dir. Rachel House [58]
2015 Girl on the Corner Shalimar Seiuli FCC, Dir. Anapela Polataivao & Vela Manusaute [59]
2015 Freak Show Choreographer/Performer Fine Fatale, Dir. Mario Faumui [60]
2016 F' You Choreographer/Performer Fine Fatale, Auckland Pride Festival, Dir. Mario Faumui [61]
2015 Club Paradiso Bubble FCC, Dir. Vela Manusaute
2015 LE FREAK Choreographer/Performer Fine Fatale, Dir. Mario Faumui
2018 Geish/Tuiga Choreographer/Performer Fine Fatale, Dir Mario Faumui [18]
2018 Fala Muncher Director Dir. Amanaki Prescott-Faletau [62]
2019 Club Paradiso Bubble FCC, Dir. Vela Manusaute [63]
2021 Inky Pinky Ponky Writer/Lisa F.I.N.E. Festival [29]
2021 Fever Choreographer/Performer Fine Fatale, Dir. Mario Faumui
2021 Fala Muncher Director Dir. Amanaki Prescott-Faletau

Selected publications

[edit]
  • 2017, Talanoa: Four Pacific Plays, (Inky Pinky Ponky) ISBN 9781877484346

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Murrow, Tony (2017-06-01). "Amanaki Prescott-Faletau". little island press. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
  2. ^ "Amanaki Prescott-Faletau". IMDb. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
  3. ^ a b c Rodger, Victor (2015-10-17). "Just a normal girl with normal issues". E-Tangata. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
  4. ^ "Amanaki: Tongan Choreographer, Dancer, and Fakaleiti". KCET. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  5. ^ "Wellington.Scoop » Wellington premiere of 'Music and Me'". Retrieved 2022-03-05.
  6. ^ "Students, staff feel cheated over PIPA closure". RNZ. 2017-12-06. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
  7. ^ "P.I.P.A - Pacific Institute of Performing Arts". mappnew.com. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
  8. ^ ""Language is really important and sacred"". www.creativenz.govt.nz. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
  9. ^ "Amanaki Prescott-Faletau - Pacific Media Network". omny.fm. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
  10. ^ "Fine Fatale". omny.fm. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  11. ^ "The Heels Are Alive – Fine Fatalge". www.thecoconet.tv. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  12. ^ a b Hopgood, Sela Jane (2018-02-15). "Pacific dance show pushes cultural boundaries". RNZ. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  13. ^ "'Fever: Return of the Ula' National Tour 2022". boosted.org.nz. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  14. ^ Bennie, Jay. "Review: Fine Fatale's Freak Show - GayNZ.com". www.pridenz.com. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  15. ^ Joseph, Dione. "Le Freak - An international act in the making". www.theatreview.org.nz. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  16. ^ "Le Freak ~ a dance review". dykiegirl. 2015-11-19. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  17. ^ "Fine Fatale in 'Le Freak'". www.thecoconet.tv. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  18. ^ a b "Geish/Tuiga". Auckland Pride Festival 2018. 2018-01-04. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  19. ^ "The Heels are Alive". Auckland Live. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  20. ^ Kerr-Lazenby, Mina (2019-05-22). "Cabaret Season is back and it's more titillating than ever before". Denizen. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  21. ^ "Aotearoa delegation to Hawai'i for Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture 2020 announced by Creative New Zealand". www.creativenz.govt.nz. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  22. ^ "Must-See Shows At The Auckland Live Cabaret Season 2021". Such A Kitsch. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
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  24. ^ "MVPFAFF". Rainbow Directory. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  25. ^ Amanaki Prescott-Faletau "We're human, we love, we bleed the same" #PRIDEMONTH #NIUDAYS, retrieved 2022-03-06
  26. ^ "F.I.N.E. Festival - Po'ula". Eventfinda. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  27. ^ "F'ine Pasifika Aotearoa Trust". opencorporates.com. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  28. ^ "F'INE Pasifika Aotearoa". Safe Space Alliance. 2021-03-15. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  29. ^ a b c "F.I.N.E. Festival - Inky Pinky Ponky". Stuff Events. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  30. ^ "New Zealand Theatre: theatre reviews, performance reviews - Theatreview". www.theatreview.org.nz. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  31. ^ a b Schmidt, Victoria. "Music and Me – Great potential undercut by avoidable technical elements". www.theatreview.org.nz. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  32. ^ Givins, Johnny. "Teen Faggots Come to Life – Reveals the stories of our young BGLT people as never seen before". www.theatreview.org.nz. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  33. ^ Brown, Pelenakeke. "Clever, Impactful, Hilarious Theatre: A Review of Fala Muncher". Pantograph Punch. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  34. ^ Vaz Martin, Margi. "Heliaki: Tongan Contemporary Dance Theatre - Passionate, engaging and vibrant". www.theatreview.org.nz. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  35. ^ "Matala – A Celebration Of Tongan Culture". www.scoop.co.nz. September 7, 2012. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  36. ^ "inky Pinky Ponky". Eventfinda. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  37. ^ Mattheson, Lexie. "Inky Pinky Ponky – A modern day fairy tale with teeth and claws". www.theatreview.org.nz. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  38. ^ Wenley, James. "Review: The Next Big Thing Festival 2015 (Auckland Theatre Company) – Theatre Scenes: Auckland Theatre Blog (Reviews and commentary)". Retrieved 2022-03-07.
  39. ^ "Teenage Pacific Transgender featured in The Talano Series | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 2022-03-07.
  40. ^ "Drama reflecting different perspectives on Aotearoa – latest NZ On Air funding". www.nzonair.govt.nz. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  41. ^ a b Both Worlds (Documentary), Notable Pictures, 2012-06-02, retrieved 2022-03-05
  42. ^ a b Wenley, James. "Review: Next Big Thing Festival; Tusk Tusk and Checkout Chicks (ATC) – Theatre Scenes: Auckland Theatre Blog (Reviews and commentary)". Retrieved 2022-03-07.
  43. ^ "Extraordinary Tales of Strength & Daring". extraordinarytales.org.nz. Retrieved 2022-03-07.
  44. ^ "TWO EXCEPTIONAL PASIFIKA WOMEN HONOURED WITH FAME MID-CAREER AWARDS". ELEPHANT PUBLICITY. 28 April 2022.
  45. ^ "🎥 "The Breaker Upperers" Movie (2018)". WatchWard. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
  46. ^ "Film Inky Pinky Ponky based on real life of trans actress Amanaki Prescott-Faletau". NZ Herald. 2024-01-31. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
  47. ^ Hopgood, Sela Jane (2023-06-27). "Why you should watch Inky Pinky Ponky". The Spinoff. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
  48. ^ "Stuff". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
  49. ^ "Tau'olunga with Amanaki Prescott Faletau". www.thecoconet.tv. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
  50. ^ "Fresh Housewives of South Auckland S1 Ep 4". www.thecoconet.tv. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
  51. ^ The F Word Episode 1: Shoe Tips, retrieved 2022-03-05
  52. ^ "SIS - Prime". www.primetv.co.nz. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
  53. ^ Lewis, Maria (2020-07-30). "Sis the Show, Comedy Central's Polynesian Key and Peele". the Guardian. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
  54. ^ Harvey, Kerry (2021-10-13). "New local drama The Pact puts focus on suicide and euthanasia". Stuff. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
  55. ^ "Sui Generis". www.nzonscreen.com. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
  56. ^ "Drama reflecting different perspectives on Aotearoa – latest NZ On Air funding". www.nzonair.govt.nz. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
  57. ^ Wenley, James. "Review: Polly Hood In Mumuland – Theatre Scenes: Auckland Theatre Blog". Retrieved 2022-03-07.
  58. ^ "MISS.understood". Eventfinda. Retrieved 2022-03-07.
  59. ^ "Review: Girl on A Corner (Auckland Fringe) – Theatre Scenes: Auckland Theatre Blog (Reviews and commentary)". Retrieved 2022-03-07.
  60. ^ "Freak Show". Eventfinda. Retrieved 2022-03-07.
  61. ^ "Review: F' You » archived article sourced from GayNZ.com". www.pridenz.com. Retrieved 2022-03-07.
  62. ^ "Fala Muncher". Auckland Pride Festival 2018. 2018-01-13. Retrieved 2022-03-07.
  63. ^ "Victor Rodger and Robbie Magasiva - Club Paradiso revival". RNZ. 2019-07-20. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
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