Oh hey! Thanks for getting to know me :)
In short, I am a story teller and a theatre maker. I love to make theatre that pushes the boundaries of how we tell stories. Theatre that brings together striking imagery, clever design, beautifully choreographed movement and ensemble.
When I’m not performing on-stage as an actor, you’ll find me behind the scenes hustling as a director, playwright and set designer. I have also discovered a new found passion for puppetry.
In 2020, I co-founded independent theatre-company Hand Pulled Collective, with Natalya Mandich-Dohnt. We are passionate about bringing stories from our communities to the stage through powerful visual theatre.
Organisation/Company
Name: Hand Pulled Collective
My Role: Creative Director
Formed in 2020, Hand Pulled Collective brings stories and voices from communities who have been pushed to the periphery to centrestage. HPC creates with accessibility in mind and supports new works that push the boundaries of theatre-making and storytelling in exciting ways. This includes works that thoughtfully respond to vital conversations of the now; are accessible and adaptable; and meaningfully contribute to Aotearoa’s theatre landscape. Previous productions include: 'Pork and Poll Taxes' by Talia Pua (2021), 'How to Throw a Chinese Funeral' by Jill Kwan (2023), 'ANTi' by Keagan Carr Fransch (2024) and their first offering for tamariki, 'Friends Exploring Epic Tales' (2024).
Check out our project slate here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1klRcJROwL_ZHZD94Bjg6xi6QiLHchFaEX1xTjylkf9o/edit
Rohe
I am born and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa. My parents migrated here almost four decades ago from their hometowns in Malaysia, Klang and Muar. Our ancestors are from the Fujian province in China, so Hokkien blood runs through our veins.
How I got where I am today
I'm here today thanks to a lot of curiosity and a desire to learn more. I am not formally trained in any of the hats I wear, but think of myself as a professional sponge.
What grounds me?
The dinner table. It's my favourite place in the world. Nothing beats a warm meal shared with the people you love.
The Girl Whose Twin was a Bird
Artform: Theatre, Puppetry
Development Status: Tour Ready
Pitch Video
Media Uploads
Synopsis
It’s the 5th Year Anniversary celebration of Petra Quek’s noodle stall, ‘Flying Mee Hoon Kueh’ and you’re invited! Join Petra as she cooks her signature Mee Hoon Kueh, and shares the story of how it all started.
A coming of age story about twinhood told through puppetry and cooking (and puppets who cook!).
Perfect for the whole whānau.
At the end of the performance, audience members will be invited to try a small serving of Mee Hoon Kueh.
STORY:
Jena and Petra are twin sisters and best friends who dream of owning their very own noodle restaurant - just like their Ah Kong’s (Grandfather) famous ‘Quek’s Noodle Restoran’. Then one day, Jena starts to grow feathers, which is not a huge biggie. But when Jena develops a beak, wings, and penchant for watching the sky, Petra worries that their dream of opening a noodle shop is turning into a solo flight...
Pitch Deck: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uptds_AXUhR5XnQd-5jsJK17UlDeOndu/view
Creative Team and Crew
Talia Pua - Creator, Performer, Puppeteer
Miriama McDowell - Director
Rachel Callinan - Dramaturge
Natalya Mandich-Dohnt - Producer (Hand Pulled Collective)
Jon Coddington - Puppet Mentor
Tema Pua - Stage Manager
Harmony Hogarth - Music and Sound
Number of People in the Touring Party
2 - 1x performer, 1x stage/tour manager
Previous Seasons
Downtown Days, Queen’s Wharf, Tāmaki Makaurau - May 2025
The Little Giant's Childrens Festival, Whangārei, Quail Cafe - September 2025
Hand Pulled Collective's April School Holiday Tour, various venues across Tāmaki Makaurau, April 2026
Reviews and Quotes
“The way you pulled Jena and Petra into existence was pure magic” - Audience member
“Delightful and charming” — Audience member
Technical Rider & International Touring Info (if applicable)
Pork and Poll Taxes
Artform: Theatre
Development Status: Tour Ready (We are preparing for a remount, launching our new updated design in September 2026. The work will be fully tour ready from September.)
Media Uploads
Trailer
Synopsis
Pork and Poll Taxes is a moving, deeply necessary story based on historical truths about the racist laws created to keep ‘New Zealand for New Zealanders’.
Focussing on a Chinese family torn by circumstance across war-torn China and the increasingly harsh racist climate of New Zealand in the 1880's, we build on the real human impact and bring a new sense of style and modernity to our second season, making sure this story can’t be waved away as a historical one-off.
Incorporating movement, action and romance, the heart of the story is the family who will do almost anything to be together; until their own desires muddy the waters and begin to pull them apart.
Pork and Poll Taxes feels Greek - of an older time, but still ringing harsh and heartbreaking truths that make us reflect on how things happen in cycles, and what we might do about it as cycles return today.
Find out more here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_zEmZJYDBQONisKHZDq2i2hsBWMdj4CMXHPWfuWFDyE/edit
Creative Team and Crew
September remount:
Presenting Companies: Proudly Asian Theatre and Hand Pulled Collective
Writer & actor: Talia Pua
Producer: Marianne Infante and Natalya Mandich-Dohnt
Director: Chye-Ling Huang
Movement Director: Yin-Chi Lee
Language Coach and Cantonese Translator: Audrey Chan
Stage Manager: Lisa Joe
Set Design: Jane Hakaria
Lighting: Paul Bennett
Graphic Design: Alyssa Pua
Premiere Season Credits:
Presenting Companies: Proudly Asian Theatre and Hand Pulled Collective
Writer/Director: Talia Pua
Directing mentor: Chye-Ling Huang
Producer: Marianne Infante
Assistant Producer: Natalya Mandich-Dohnt
Directing Mentor: Chye-Ling Huang
Script Advisor: Renee Liang
Movement Director: Yin-Chi Lee
Language Coach and Cantonese Translator: Audrey Chan
Cast: Benjamin Teh, Celine Dam, Anna Lee, Kelvin Ta, Jo Lo
Marketing Manager: Alyssa Medel-Khew
Stage Manager: Lisa Joe
Set Design: Micheal McCabe
Sound Design: Nikita Tu-Bryant
Costuming: Wilson Ong Jun Liang
Lighting: Paul Bennett
Props Design: Cinta Damerell
Photography: John Rata
Graphic Design: Alyssa Pua
Number of People in the Touring Party
8
Previous Seasons
Sold out premiere season 2021 at Herald Theatre, Auckland, New Zealand, supported by Creative New Zealand, Auckland Live, Auckland Unlimited, and the Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust.
More here: http://www.proudlyasiantheatre.com/pork-poll-taxes
Reviews and Quotes
“A moving tribute to those affected by the Poll Tax, and by divisive, racist immigration policies, Pork and Poll Taxes is a resounding success. A must-see performance from some of Aotearoa’s most talented, emerging actors and practitioners."
- Jess Karamjeet, Theatre Scenes
“My head is still swirling with it all. What stands out the most is how emotionally impactful it was without being an overtly emotional play. Being able to relate to family love and commitment is universal. Their hardship was overwhelming and sadly still what many people face today.”
- Audience member
"In summary, this performance transports me back in time and re-ignites my sense of belonging and identity. It allows for the blending of cultural elements, modern movement and multi-lingual narrative telling to adorn both NZ Chinese and non-NZ Chinese audiences in many ways.
Told through the unique lens of a solely NZ Asian cast and crew, this experience hits the mark in recreating an essential slice of the NZ identity. I am forever grateful to my ancestors for the sacrifices they made, and their stories couldn’t be told better than through Pork and Poll Taxes."
- Thomas Ding, Theatreview
Technical Rider & International Touring Info (if applicable)
- View/download document #1 here
Dani and the Age of Wonder
Artform: Theatre
Development Status: Ready To Premiere
Synopsis
Dani is eleven going on twelve, and is the last child in her community of exiles. In just four days, she will turn twelve and become an adult. For her entire life, she has dreamt of returning to their beloved homeland, Tulaula, to find her dad. When it rains in Tulaula for the first time in twelve years, Dani is convinced they will return home shortly. But Mum seems less than sure. When Dani endeavours to make contact with her dad, she uncovers two mysterious bronze discs which summon the mythical and enigmatic spirit of their homeland, Rual. Rual makes Dani an incredible promise, but first he must tell her one very important story.
A modern-day fable and coming of age story about what it truly means to hold onto hope.
'Dani and the Age of Wonder' has undergone rigorous story and creative testing over the last five years. Learn about our development journey and creative vision here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1UNf2gIsc_SafCZ5CoBBVERu0aiKQMzt8wvdUavcvnu0/edit
Creative Team and Crew
Playwright & Performer - Talia Pua
Director - Margaret-Mary Hollins
Producer - Natalya Mandich-Dohnt
Music Composer - Ahi Karunaharan
Set and Props Designer - Nati Pereira
Costume Designer - Imuy Teav
Dramaturge - Anders Falstie-Jensen
Lighting Designer - Rae Longshaw-Park
AV Designer - Darryl Chin
Cast of 6 - TBC
Number of People in the Touring Party
TBC
