About
Our mission is to educate NZ kids through theatre. And the underlying message will always be the same – to give our young people confidence and reassurance in order to make them feel good about themselves whilst encouraging them to show kindness and understanding towards others.
You are amazing, you are brave, you are strong. Let nobody tell you otherwise – and remember, bullying is never okay. MMCT is also committed to promote awareness of the benefits to be gained through participation in the performing arts. By supporting our talented artists, we aim to increase the public’s understanding and appreciation of the performing arts with educational, artistic shows performed to diverse audiences throughout Aotearoa NZ.
Meet the trustees
Darlene Mohekey — Creative Director
Darlene is a professional singer, director, musical director and award-winning writer and actress working extensively in theatre throughout New Zealand. For the past 7 years Darlene has also been the Creative and Musical Director at Rotorua’s Blue Baths, creating and leading entertainment for international corporate functions and public theatre events. During this time Darlene headed the creation and production of eight new, New Zealand works that have been performed in Rotorua and Auckland. As writer and creative director at Muddy Moa, Darlene ensures the content of our productions are relevant and accessible for all children in today’s society.
Nicky Old
Nicky Old is a Chartered Accountant and Director at True North Chartered Accountant Limited, a firm which she founded in 2011 and has since grown to employ a team of 7. She is married to Jon and has two children Patrick (12yrs) and Annabelle (9yrs). Growing up in Rotorua and attending all levels of schooling there, Nicky is a keen supporter of local initiatives. She is especially proud to be involved with Muddy Moa Charitable Trust because as a parent of young children, she is conscious of the impact our modern world has on them and is passionate about their education and wellbeing. Nicky believes that children can learn many things from experiencing the magic of live performance and that the team behind Muddy Moa are well equipped to develop and share this special gift with children from a diversity of backgrounds.
Jo Romanes
Jo began her hospitality business at Rotorua’s beautiful Blue Baths following the heritage bathhouse’s restoration in 1999. Her passion for producing live theatre began through creating events for corporate clients within the atmospheric heritage venue. Being a Mum and Nana takes pride of place for Jo, who, when not at work, spends time (and gains inspiration) running the family farm at Lake Tarawera. Jo sees Muddy Moa as an opportunity to give back to the community – in particular, to our less fortunate kids – and to support professional theatre by providing a platform to showcase the talents and mad skills of some of New Zealand’s most gifted performing artists.
Natasha Hall
Blue Baths General Manager, Natasha is an organisational whizz with a Diploma in Hotel Management backed by many years of hospitality industry experience, the past twelve having been based at the heritage venue. Natasha and her husband Jeff have two young boys of their own and are well aware of the challenge’s life presents to today’s kids. She see’s MMCT as a vehicle to make a difference to attitudes surrounding tolerance and kindness in our community. Downtime for Tash is spent enjoying her young family and, when she can fit it in, walking, gardening, wine-tasting and pursuing her love of travel.
Browyn Turei
Bronwyn Turei has been Acting professionally since graduating from the UNITEC Performing Stage and Screen Arts course in 2004. She has tread the boards at The Globe Theatre in London, the Sydney Opera House, the Darwin Outdoor Theatrespace and at the many beautiful Theatres all over NZ. She has also appeared on local and Australian television, most recognisably as ‘Cody Latimer’ for four seasons on the award winning NZ Series GO GIRLS. Bronwyn believes that the work that can be achieved through Muddy Moa Charitable Trust can change the conversation between young people and sees an opportunity to elevate the quality of educational shows in NZ. “I believe in the messages these shows carry and in the highly entertaining way they are told – it’s reigniting the wonder and enjoyment of live Theatre in a world where you could just stay home and watch a screen. It brings children and parents together. All of this is so important and I am proud to be a creative voice in this phenomenal team”. Bronwyn has been a regular performer at Blue Baths since 2013
