Toi Pōneke emerging production designer Asha Barr has been working alongside Kaysee to bring this story to life.
Asha believes that the collaboration between them has been extremely powerful because of the links she has found in her own life.
“It’s been one of the most grounding processes. I was drawing so much and really let myself dream. At the beginning of this we all interviewed our mums and will have the transcripts up on the walls. My mum even helped me with my application. It’s amazing to produce this.”
With only a week left in the residency before the industry showing, where Kaysee performs her dance, she is incredibly proud of how far she has come in such a short time.
“I've been really blessed working with some incredibly passionate and creative women. They’ve shaped this project so much, I’m so proud.
If she has any advice for other creatives within the Pasifika community and beyond, it’s this.
“You can live the life you create. You can be in these spaces. Your story is enough. If you tell it, people will listen. We need to normalise seeing people like us in the creative industry, our stories are allowed to be in these spaces too.”
Find out more about Kaysee Savali and Asha Barr, or check out Toi Pōneke website to see the current residencies.