Saturday afternoons at Papakura Central Old School are a hive of energy, filled with laughter and smiles as Glass Ceiling Arts Collective (GCAC) in association with StageAntics run a weekly performance class where rangatahi (the younger generation) develop their theatrical passion.
Glass Ceiling Arts Collective (GCAC), the brain child of Charlotte Owens-Pring and Mike Eaglesome, is a charity formed in 2021 to support people from marginalised communities, providing accessible Youth Theatre programmes with a focus on access for disabled to learn alongside their non disabled peers, whānau and friends.
In 2022 GCAC were thrilled to become part of the Creative Spaces scheme with funding through Manatū Taonga - Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
This funding allowed GCAC to
- expand from one location of Tamaki Makaurau’s North Shore to five locations including Warkworth, North Shore, West Auckland, South Auckland and Tauranga.
- Contract local performers and arts educators to work with our students.
Owens-Pring said “We are building inclusive communities, where disabled people are supported to live an everyday life in everyday places”
A further six locations are planned to open over the next three years, including Whangarei towards the end of 2022.
GCAC acknowledged that as part of their growth they needed to increase capacity so partnered with existing programmes and networks including a partnership for South Auckland with StageAntics, an existing performance company run by Weymouth resident Emma Bishop,
“It’s great because not only are siblings able to be in a class together but it means that working alongside rangatahi with disabilities is the norm and we all learn from each other. The current mahi (work) across all the classes sees us working towards our first ever GCAC Short Film Festival “Thru the Roof.” Bishop said.
GCAC ran a successful Give-A-Little Campaign in April to raise funds to help the participants develop concepts for each film which will be created and premièred alongside each other at a red carpet event later in 2022.
So, if you want your child to be part of something that brings a sense of belonging, builds confidence and helps spark creativity where EVERYONE is welcome – check out Glass Ceiling Arts Collective on https://www.glassceilingartscollective.com or our social media platforms https://www.facebook.com/glassceilingartscollective.