Anapela Polataivao

Anapela Polataivao is a New Zealand actor, writer, and director of stage and screen.

Anapela Polataivao
Born
Samoa
NationalityNew Zealander
Occupation(s)Actor, writer, director
Known forPani and Pani
Notable workNight Shift

Background

Polataivao was born in Samoa and has heritage from Vailoa, Vaiusu, Fagae'e and Safune.[1] She grew up in South Auckland.[2]

Career

Polataivao began acting as a child with her role at the age of eight. She was part of the Maidment Youth Theatre at the University of Auckland and in 2000 graduated from the New Zealand drama school Toi Whakaari with a Bachelor of Performing Arts (Acting).[2][1][3]

In 2002 she formed the theatre group Kila Kokonut Krew with Vela Manusaute. Together they created the musical The Factory which became a web series in 2014.[2][4] The show toured throughout Australia and had a five-week run at the 2014 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.[1][5]

With Goretti Chadwick Polataivao created the comedy duo Pani and Pani. They also created and present the Māori Television show, Games of Bros.[2][6]

Polataivao worked as acting tutor at PIPA (Pacific Institute of Performing Arts) until PIPA closed at the end of 2017 when the BEST Pacific Institute of Education went into liquidation.[2][7]

A theatre play directed by Polataivao, Wild Dogs Under My Skirt by Tusiata Avia was re-worked in 2016 from a solo to an ensemble cast creating an award-winning production that went on to be presented at the New Zealand Festival in 2018, a national New Zealand tour in 2019 and at the SoHo Playhouse in New York off-Broadway in January 2020.[8][9][10][11]

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1995 Tala Pasifika Actress – Losa Television
2005 The Market Actress – Ina Lima Television
2006–2007 KTV Writer, producer Television
2009 The Cult Actress – Motel Owner Television
2010 Eruption Actress – Ana Television
2011–current Fresh Actress – Pani Television
2012 Night Shift Actress – Salote Short film
2013 The Factory Executive Producer, Original Writer, Actress – Lily Web, episode 1–10
2016–current Game of Bros Creator, presenter Television, episode 1
2016 One Thousand Ropes Actor Film
2023 Our Flag Means Death Actor Television, Season 2, episodes 1-


Theatre
  • Frangipani Perfume by Makerita Urale, director Rachel House – actor[1]
  • My Name is Gary Cooper by Victor Rodger -–actor[1]
  • Club Paradiso by Victor Rodger – actor[1]
  • Where We Once Belonged by Sia Figel – actor[1]
  • Wild Dogs Under My Skirt by Tusiata Avia – director
  • Taro King by Vela Manusaute (2012) – producer (as part of the Kila Kokonut Krew's 10th anniversary celebrations)[12]
  • Girl on a Corner by Victor Rodger (2015) – director
  • Uma Lava by Victor Rodger (2017) – actor

Awards

In the 2006 Air New Zealand Screen Awards she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in The Market.[13]

For her role in Night Shift Polataivao won Best Actress at the 2013 24fps International Short Film Festival in Texas[14] and the StarNow Best Actor award at the 2012 Show Me Shorts Film Festival.[15]

With Vela Manusaute, she received the New Generation Award for theatre at the 2014 Arts Foundation Awards.[16][17]

Theatre directing awards include Best Director at the Auckland Theatre Awards in 2016 for the Wild Dogs Under My Skirt by Tusiata Avia. Auckland Fringe Festival Best Director award (2015) for Girl on a Corner by Victor Rodger.[18]

In 2019 she won the Contemporary Pacific Art Award at the Arts Pasifika Awards.[19]

References
  1. "Anapela Polataivao". The Arts Foundation. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  2. "Anapela Polataivao". NZ On Screen. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  3. "Graduate". www.toiwhakaari.ac.nz. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
  4. "About". The Factory Story. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  5. Gardner, Lyn (20 August 2014). "Edinburgh festival 2014 review: The Factory – High School Musical with Polynesian vibes". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  6. "Game of Bros". Māori Television. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  7. Vui-Talitu, Sara (6 December 2017). "Pacific students bewildered, out of pocket". RNZ. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  8. "WILD DOGS UNDER MY SKIRT – Ensemble work both beautiful and formidable". TheatreView. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  9. Christian, Dionne. "Behind the scenes: Poet Tusiata Avia on Wild Dogs run". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  10. "Wild Dogs Under My Skirt". SOHO PLAYHOUSE. Archived from the original on 23 December 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  11. Mandell, Jonathan (8 January 2020). "Wild Dogs Under My Skirt Review: When the Rainbow is Enuf in New Zealand". New York Theater. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  12. Delilkan, Sharu. "REVIEW: Taro King (Kila Kokonut Krew)". Theatre Scenes: Auckland Theatre Blog. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  13. "Finalists for The Air New Zealand Screen Awards". Scoop. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  14. "2013 Winners". 24fps International Short Film Festival. Archived from the original on 10 March 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  15. "2012 Award Winners". Show Me Shorts Film Festival. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  16. "New Generation Awards". The Arts Foundation. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  17. "2014 Westpac New Zealand Arts Awards recipients announced". Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  18. "Anapela Polataivao". Arts Foundation. Archived from the original on 23 December 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  19. "Outstanding Pasifika artists to be celebrated at the Creative New Zealand Arts Pasifika Awards 2019". Creative New Zealand. 7 October 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
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