UCOL BLOG

Not all weddings end so tragically, but Blood Wedding has more drama, disputes and death than most.

Blood Wedding will be performed by thirteen UCOL Certificate in Performing Arts students later this month.

The production marks the end of the six month Certificate programme and according to the students, “has opened our eyes to the depth of professional theatre.”

The play by Spanish writer Federico Garcia Lorca tells the story of the love between a Bride and her previous beau Leonardo. The Mother-in-Law gets involved, the newly married Bride runs off with Leonardo and there’s a double homicide.

Despite its dark synopsis, Blood Wedding fulfils all the criteria for the Performing Arts students’ finale says UCOL Lecturer Jaime Dorner.

“The students have engaged well with the play,” he says. “It involves highly emotional moments and surreal scenes which they use to showcase their range of talents.”

Read More: “Groom and doom”…

Nine high achieving UCOL students have received tangible support for further study with the awarding of annual scholarships this week.

The Scholarships range in value from $500 to $1000. A total prize pool of $11,000 was up for grabs and attracted a high standard of applications.

Diploma in Business Management student Amiria Te Whaiti receives the Fenton Te Rauparaha (Ralph) Flavell Memorial Scholarship.

The Fletcher Challenge Trust Award, for students who have excelled in achievement and effort, goes to second year Bachelor of Nursing student Sarah McIlroy.

Sarah also wins the Palmerston North City Council Jaycee Trust Scholarship, for her contribution to the community through regular volunteer work.

Read More: “UCOL celebrates top achievers”…

UCOL Performing Arts Lecturer Jaime Dorner has a hunger for all things theatre and freely admits he can’t stop himself.

Jaime not only teaches the Certificate in Performing Arts programme at UCOL, he has his own theatre company and has just been appointed as the next Resident Artist under Palmerston North’s Visiting Artist Scheme.

“I need to continually create and explore theatre,” he says. “I have to keep my career as an artist alive.”

The Visiting Artist Scheme is a collaborative venture between the School of English & Media Studies at Massey University, in conjunction with Palmerston North City Council and Community Arts Palmerston North.

Three residencies of three months each are offered each year in Creative Writing, Film or Digital Arts and Theatre. The position includes accommodation at a central city apartment in the Square Edge building.

Jaime’s Visiting Artist appointment begins in November and fits perfectly into the hiatus of the UCOL academic year.

“The scheme is great for me and my employer,” says Jaime. “UCOL encourages its staff to keep in touch with our industries. This is the best kind of professional development.”
Read More: “Creative appetite”…

The electrical and electrotechnology industry has a skill shortage and UCOL is stepping up to the plate with a new qualification.

From next year, the two year New Zealand Diploma in Engineering Level 6 – the newest Electrical Engineering qualification in New Zealand – will be available at UCOL.

UCOL’s Dean of Trades and Technology Kelly Gay says the programme has support from the industry and meets a national and international demand for skills. “It’s a superb opportunity for young people to get a qualification that all but guarantees them a job in the industry at a very favourable salary – in New Zealand and overseas.

“The qualification is aligned with an industry international agreement called the Dublin Accord. That means it will be recognised in most parts of the world, as a ticket to employment.”

Read More: “High demand for switched on Engineering graduates”…

Elizabeth moved from Hamilton to Whanganui to study art at UCOL’s Quay School of the Arts: This month she will celebrate the completion of her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, with thirteen other students at their Graduation show.

Then, in December, she is off to Auckland to donate one of her kidneys to a complete stranger.

Eight years ago Elizabeth first heard about what is regarded as the ultimate random act of kindness. In New Zealand, the first such altruistic donation took place in 2000, with 15 donations of this kind since then.

Elizabeth says it is giving purely for the act of giving. “The donors are not donating to a loved one or even aware of who the recipient is, and there is no financial gain,” she says.  She finds it hard to fully explain her motivation but says “when you aren’t focused on yourself you get so much more back, and if you can help, you do.”

As Elizabeth reflects on her decision she realizes her art has been about this issue; the making of big decisions and the consequences. Her decision to make the donation will have a huge impact on someone she will probably never meet.

Read More: “The ultimate act of random kindness”…

Wonderland will be held on Wednesday November 10 in the Atrium at UCOL’s King Street campus and promises to be a bigger spectacle than ever, says Fashion Lecturer Sheran Merritt.

Certificate in Fashion and Beauty students have spent weeks creating their designs for the Wearable Art category of their graduate fashion show.

“The students have been like magpies, collecting anything that can be recycled and restyled into fashion,” says Sheran.

Level 3 and Level 1 fashion students will parade their creations at the annual event, showcasing the skills they have gained in garment design and construction.

After the success of last year’s Fantasy Bra section, several UCOL staff have been invited to create a hat as their entry in a Mad Hatters category.
Read More: “Chocolate wrapper frocks in Wonderland”…