A Production of Dr Ken Mizusawa’s Play Secures Top Honours at New Zealand’s National Theatrefest

Wakatipu High School’s student-directed production of ELL faculty member Dr Ken Mizusawa’s one-act play That Time. That Place. secured top honours at the National Theatrefest 2023 in New Zealand including the coveted prize for Best Overall Production. The school bested 33 school and youth theatre groups as well as 16 adult community theatre groups in this annual competition. At the national finals held in the city of Christchurch, they won a total of five prizes:Best Overall Production

1. Best Youth Production
2. Best Production of an NZ Play
3. Best Director
4. Distinctive Emerging Talent Award

That Time. That Place., is published in the play collection, The Boy Who Caused 9/11 and Other Plays (2013) by Dr Ken Mizusawa, and was licensed for three school productions in 2023 alone.   

Links to articles about Wakatipu High School’s achievements:

• https://www.scene.co.nz/queenstown-news/local-life/whs-wins-national-theatrefest/
• https://www.scene.co.nz/queenstown-news/local-life/whs-plays-well-in-theatrefest/