Alice is a theatre-artist and performer, producing work under the name White_mess. Alice is interested in social practice, using theatre as a vehicle to explore participation, political engagement, and community. Recent projects include live documentary theatre projects Year of the Tiger (虎—hǔ), Children Talk About, and the award-winning OTHER [chinese]. Her career over the last 15 years has expanded across arts, education and advocacy, exploring storytelling as a mechanism to create positive social change.
Alice is currently based in Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa (Auckland, New Zealand).
Alice Canton is a theatre-artist and producer of Chinese and Pākehā descent, presenting under the artistic nom de plume White_mess. Her work explores identity, culture and community through innovative, interactive theatre and performance. Canton's notable works include ORANGUTAN, OTHER [chinese] and BREAK BREAD (Silo Theatre). She continues to push the boundaries of theatre, and challenge cultural convention through her art.
Organisation/Company
Name: White_mess
My Role: Director
Iwi affiliation
NA
Rohe
Currently based in Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland)
How I got where I am today
Graduate of Toi Whakaari New Zealand Drama School (Acting) and University of Canterbury School of Fine Arts (Sculpture). In addition to practicing as a theatre-maker and director, have worked in arts management at The Court Theatre, Basement Theatre, NZ Opera, and Silo Theatre. Served on the Movement Art Practice board for 5 years, and have recently been appointed to the Indian Ink Theatre Company Advisory Board.
When not on the road or in the studio, I work as a Service and Experience Designer for a professional services firm, supporting global clients to explore future-focused solutions to transform their businesses.
Whānau
NA
Media Uploads
![OTHER [chinese] 2020-14](https://artsfront-live-s3-au.imgix.net/artsfront/media/pool/img/36/34/19/5lhs4-e40457aee1a83f3eb999937e6a808cd6.JPG?fit=crop&fm=jpg&h=240&ixlib=php-1.2.1&name=sml_sq&orient=1&w=240)
Trailer
Synopsis
OTHER [chinese] is a live, documentary theatre show. The purpose of the show is to create a space for multiple voices to arise – because being Chinese is not one, singular thing.
This large-scale community engagement project invites interested participants from a variety of backgrounds to investigate the complexity of Chinese identity in contemporary New Zealand, examining the everyday lives, rituals, historical events, and memories of Chinese in Aotearoa.
Volunteers participate in a series of weekly workshops, creating opportunities to connect with people from a range of ages, genders, political leanings, education and locations who are interested in what it is to be Chinese in their community, here and now.
Audiences experienced the realisation of these stories and conversations in OTHER [chinese] where up to 100 people are invited to participate in the show, as themselves. Not characters of fiction, but real life people.
Creative Team and Crew
Director and Creator: Alice Canton
Producer: Julie Zhu & Sherry Zhang
Lighting and Production Design: Brad Gledhill and Rachel Marlow
Dramaturg: Kate Prior
AV Design: Jessica McCall
Sound Design: Matt Eller
Technical Manager (Tour): Pete Davison
Number of People in the Touring Party
3
Previous Seasons
Buenos Aires (Argentina) + São Paulo (Brazil)
Festival Internacional de Buenos Aires (FIBA)
Feb 2023
Festival of Colour (Wanaka, New Zealand)
Lake Wanaka Centre
April 13, 2021
Dunedin Arts Festival (Dunedin, New Zealand)
Glenroy Auditorium
April 15 – 16, 2021
Christchurch (New Zealand)
The Court Theatre
Sept 20 – 22, 2021 (COVID-19 CANCELLATION)
Auckland City (New Zealand)
Q Theatre, Auckland New Zealand
6 – 16 September 2017
Reviews and Quotes
“OTHER [chinese] is something that New Zealand needs. It’s a testament to Canton’s skill as a storyteller and facilitator that the show, and its accompanying workshops, convey a strong sense of empowerment through the affirmation of personal experiences. And this is something that we have been waiting a long time to see.” – The Pantograph Punch
“Billed as a “live documentary theatre show”, OTHER [chinese] is educational, gentle and filled with off-the-cuff humour.” – NZ Herald
“…spellbinding guidance is at hand from Alice Canton, whose inspired and smart direction of OTHER [chinese] gives us glimpses of what it’s like to be in a minority in society.” - Otago Daily Times
Technical Rider & International Touring Info (if applicable)
- View/download document #1 here
The Performing Arts Network of New Zealand (PANNZ) Arts Market is New Zealand's premiere event for artists, producers, presenters and industry leaders from across the performing arts sector.
The Performing Arts Network of New Zealand (PANNZ) Arts Market is New Zealand's premiere event for artists, producers, presenters and industry leaders from across the performing arts sector.
The Performing Arts Network of New Zealand (PANNZ) Arts Market is New Zealand's premiere event for artists, producers, presenters and industry leaders from across the performing arts sector.
The Performing Arts Network of New Zealand (PANNZ) Arts Market is New Zealand's premiere event for artists, producers, presenters and industry leaders from across the performing arts sector.