Erolia Ifopo Explained

Erolia Ifopo is a New Zealand-based artist and one of the founding members of Pacific Underground,^[1] a performing arts collective that celebrates the heritage of Pacific Islanders in New Zealand. Ifopo is a multidisciplinary artist who specializes in music, theatre, and dance. She has been involved in numerous projects and performances that explore Pacific Island culture, identity, and social issues. As an actor, writer, producer and director of Samoan descent, living in New Zealand her contributions to the arts and Pacific communities in New Zealand have been significant and impactful.

Biography

Erolia Ifopo has also been involved with many Pacific theatre companies, including Pacific Underground and Fresh Ink.^[2] In 2011, she was awarded the Awards in Oral History for her work with the Samoan community in the Christchurch earthquakes. Some of her notable works include the play "Fresh Off The Boat" and "Romeo and Tusi" by co-written by Oscar Kightley and Erolia Ifopo.^[3] She has also performed in various theatre productions, including "Horizons".

Television and Shorts

!Year!Series!Role!Notes!Ref

1992-1998	Shortland Street	Actor	Television series
1998	The Semisis	Writer	Sketch Show	^[4]
2001	Aroha - Haka & Siva	Actor	TV Mini-series	^[5]

Theatre

Selected list of theatre activity

!Year!Play!Role!Notes!Ref

1996	Tatau: Rites of Passage	Actor/Writer	Aotea Centre, Auckland	^[6]
1992	Horizons	Actor	Performing Arts Centre, Christchurch
1997	Dawn Raids	Actor	Herald Theatre, Auckland	^[7]
1997-2000	Romeo & Tusi	Writer	Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch
1998	Frangipani Perfume	Director	Wellington
1993	Fresh off the boat	Actor	Free Theatre, Christchurch	^[8]
1993	Gifted and Fresh	Actor
2001	The Native Chef	Actor/Writer	Masi Cafe, Wellington Fringe Festival	^[9] ^[10]
2001	Butter Loving	Director		^[11]
2019	Scholars	Director

References List

1. Web site: Witness . Eye . 2018-03-15 . How hard can it be? . RNZ.
2. Web site: 2019-06-30 . FRESH INK Tomorrow's plays today . Court Theatre.
3. Web site: "Romeo and Tusi" by Oscar Kightley and Erolia Ifopo . University of Waikato.
4. Book: Stevenson, Karen . The Frangipani is Dead: Contemporary Pacific Art in New Zealand, 1985-2000 . Huia Publishers . 2008 . 978-1-86969-325-1 . 204.
5. Web site: Aroha Series - Haka & Siva . 2024-02-22 . NZ Onscreen.
6. Web site: Playwrights: Erolia Ifopo . The Playwright's Database.
7. Web site: Dawn Raids EduPack . Auckland Theatre Company.
8. Web site: Small . Simon . 2018-11-17 . 25 years ago was opening night of "Fresh Off the Boat" . LinkedIn.
9. Web site: 2001 . Journeys through the Pacific . NZ Herald.
10. Web site: 2001 . The Native Chef . Nga Taonga.
11. Web site: 2001-06-14 . Young & Hungry 2001 At Bats Theatre . Scoop.