Recently celebrating 21 years of community circus, Kumarani Productions Trust uses their project – Circus Kumarani – to build a unique community, and support the social and personal development, health, and wellbeing of young people.
In 2023, Kumarani Productions Trust received a Foundation North grant in support of their mahi developing a community through creating inclusive and accessible spaces and programmes for young people to engage in.Based in Dargaville since their first collaborative project with Kauriland Skills Centre, Greenways Trust, and the Dargaville Little Theatre in 2003, Circus Kumarani have expanded their reach across Tai Tokerau – offering holiday programmes, circus classes, performances, and events across the region.
Come one, come all!
From day one, the Circus Kumarani kaupapa has focussed on making their space, community, and activities accessible to all ages and abilities, with a focus on young people living with a disability and members of the Rainbow communities. This is supported by their team of staff and volunteers – who themselves are members of the communities they seek to engage with.
Tania Whetu Bracey-Brown, Ringleader of Kumarani Productions Trust, says that having staff and volunteers representing and reflecting the communities Kumarani supports creates a level of understanding and trust between participants and instructors; and ensures the support on offer is flexible to the differing needs of the people involved.
With an aim of providing a safe environment inclusive of all people where participants can thrive and use circus and arts as a form of positive social development, the organisation holds regular staff training sessions for their experienced instructors, and youth interested in a creative career.
"The Kumarani team are passionate about meeting people where they are, and supporting them to succeed because we have lived experiences of neuro and gender diversity. When asked their ‘why’, our teaching team spoke about their personal experiences of circus and arts as being transformative for their mental health and overall wellbeing, and wanted to help spread knowledge and access. Equally important was providing a space for people to express and explore their individuality, connect with their body and build self acceptance and capability. We love circus shows and performances that bring play and joy to everyday life." - Tania Whetu Bracey-Brown, Ringleader of Kumarani Productions Trust.
The community behind Kumarani
A unique local icon, Kumarani are well-established in the Kaipara region. As the names and faces leading out the kaupapa have changed over time, the networks created through connecting with local community and other like-minded groups and organisations act as a supportive platform.
The community that has grown alongside Kumarani enables the organisation to create wider impact and develop opportunities to engage with new demographics of people across Tai Tokerau. Nurturing their relationships with other community circuses and organisations allows Circus Kumarani to provide events and programmes for free or at low-cost, mitigating some of the cost barriers that might prevent young people from giving circus a go.
Don’t be fooled – the Kumarani team are no one-trick-pony. Throughout the years, the organisation has found opportunities to give back to the communities that support them. In support of their local Rainbow communities, Kumarani have previously worked alongside Paparoa Pride, helping the organisation to host their first ever Pride Parade. This mahi opened the door for conversations with the Whangārei Rainbow community, which Kumarani would eventually collaborate with to host their first month-long Pride Festival and Gay-la Day.
"The free school holiday programme has given us immeasurable enrichment and joy. This year was the 4th year my son attended and each year he has grown in skill and confidence. With ADHD we know there are various hurdles to overcome just to get through a normal day. Big emotions and overcoming frustration is a key executive function that often defines how severely impacted any ADHD person is. Circus teaches my kids to find their limits, and challenge them, and also to express the emotions of frustration and disappointment all in a completely safe, fun environment where none of those things are seen as failures. This is the key reason the circus is so important to us and we tell everyone how much it matters." - Loren Hampshire, a Mangawhai-based parent who volunteers at Kumarani events.
To infinity and beyond
Kumarani Productions Trusts’ community circus weaves together circus skills, safe risk-taking, and dynamic art forms to create opportunities for children and young people of all abilities and skill levels. The organisation’s offerings welcome youth into an environment that facilitates trust and relationship building, and celebrates everybody’s success, every step of the way.
