Committee interview: Juniper

Continuing on from my interview with our year 13 volunteer Ollie, let’s see what happens when the tables are turned…

*Juniper Nichols -* *raqs sharqi teacher, PAC committee member, visual artist and designer*

Juniper: Is there anything you'd like to add?

Ollie: To, like, ask you - or just say?

Juniper: Sure. Anything.

Ollie: Um, how long have you worked with PAC?

Juniper: Let's see. Pretty soon after I started teaching belly dance here. Actually, the very first class I taught was a PAC workshop here in New Plymouth. It was a taster thing, where we each had, you know, maybe 30 minutes or so to do a little mini class. And that's how I found out they did shows every year. I was like, great, I don't have to organize a show, and I can have an event to perform in. Awesome. And after maybe 2-3 years of doing that, I'm like, I can see some room for improvement - and instead of grumbling, I'm just gonna help out, and see how I can make it happen.

Ollie: Oh, yeah, so you were like a performer initially, and then you joined the community?

Juniper: Yes.

Ollie: Oh, yeah. That's really cool. What do you think? What did you gain the most from it?

Juniper: I think that it's really made me appreciate different facets of putting on a show, because I've never produced a show before, and it's giving me a sort of on ramp to different kinds of responsibilities, to the point where I could maybe do it myself at some point. So yeah, I think that's the same story for a lot of people. They start in a very fixed role, maybe it's performing, maybe is just volunteering or organizing something, or fundraising. And then you find yourself getting stretched in all these different areas, to where you're much more well-rounded, not just a performer, but a person with a lot of capabilities.

Ollie: Yeah. And do you have any advice for me, or any other people who are in a position similar to mine - new to this kind of realm, and want to get more into it, and be kind of in it for a longer time like you have?

*Juniper and the Gems strike a pose in Red Carpet Musicals 2024*

Juniper: I think flexibility is really important, and I think that is the mindset you came in with. You're just sort of ready to help with whatever. In the arts, there's a lot of big personalities, because we have our visions and we have our certain ways of doing things. So collaborations are all about flexibility, because everyone's gonna have their own way, so you've got to figure out protocols, and just try and lay those expectations out as early as possible. And that's one of the ways we're trying to improve this year as well - really trying to inform people.

Ollie: Like, this is the organized backstage, guys.

Juniper: Exactly. Because that improves the experience for absolutely everybody. They know what to expect.

Ollie: Yes, yeah. I think going in last year, I was very nervous because I only knew my friend and her mom and I was like, I don't really know many of these people. What if I make a fool of myself? I do something wrong…but I think it was just a great experience to really go in there and learn. I was so scared that it was going to be like, not a supportive environment, but it was the opposite. And I just found a lot of help from everybody, and everyone had a common goal. And so we all worked together, and I really liked that.

Juniper: Fantastic. That's exactly what we try to be about - non-competitive. It's supportive of beginners. You may have an expertise that you come in to contribute, but you're going to be a beginner at something. And we've all been there.

Ollie: Yeah.

Juniper: Do you think you’ll continue when you go to uni?

Ollie: I think so. I mean, I really don't know what my availability will be like. It's just stepping into another unknown at uni. I don't know how intensive my studying will have to be. That would just be something I figure out next year, and learn to work with. But I think definitely I've really enjoyed it in this year, and last year, and I know that it'll be something I enjoy in the future. So I'd love to do that then, especially in Wellington too. I think that's a great city for it. So, to connect with those people there who have similar interests. I really love that.

Juniper: Yeah, well, my uni years, I had pretty wide-ranging interests, and I had a very full course load. I think they call it a “conjoint degree” here, or something like that - or a double major. And I still tried out for various performing groups. Not related to my areas of study, just because it was important to me to be involved and, you know, make friends and express myself in all the ways I can.

Ollie: Yeah. No, I think the connection that you get from trying these different things is really special.

Juniper: Absolutely.

Ollie: I think, also, the varying levels of experience is really important too, because at school as a first year, being part of the production and never having a serious role like the stage manager, I definitely have to like, ask the people who have been backstage before on my team. What do you think I should do here, or what would you recommend that I do here? I think it's great that I have those people around me who are really supportive, and it's not a competitive environment, and I really like that.

Juniper: Yeah. Well, thank you so much.

Ollie: Thank you.

Volunteer interview: Ollie