Mycah Keall - Second Chance

How many chances do we give ourselves when things don’t go as planned? For three young mothers in Upper Hutt, a teen parent programme is “the biggest second chance ever.” Created by theatre maker Mycah Keall (Peer Gynt, Up Down Girl), this verbatim work draws on interviews with these women as they navigate parenthood and education at Titiro Whakamua.

Mycah Keall (Taranaki, Te Whānau-a-Apanui, Pākehā) is an actor, musician and theatre maker who grew up in small-town Aotearoa in Pahiatua. She trained as a member of Centrepoint Theatre’s Basement Company and is a recent graduate of Te Auaha: New Zealand Institute of Creativity. Mycah has a keen interest in verbatim and documentary theatre, and aims to create work that provokes social change. Second Chance was developed as part of her Major Work Solo at Te Auaha, and continued with its development as part of Pūtahi Festival in March. Mycah is excited to bring this piece back to her hometown and share it with her community.

“I want to uplift, encourage and honour teen mothers through their own words. Second Chance has been made by community, for community and my sincerest thanks goes to everyone who has helped me bring it to the stage. My biggest thanks goes out to the three young wāhine who trusted me to tell their stories. It has been humbling, eye-opening and an absolute privilege. This is my koha for you.”