Theatre Whakatane performs on the international stage

Eve Lyford and Cole Bockman, both known locally for outstanding performances at Theatre Whakatane, have spent time performing on cruise ships just before Covid-19 struck.  Here are their stories.  It's great to see our performers making it on the international stage.  Thankfully both are safe and well.  Read their stories below.

After leaving New Zealand in June 2019, traveling through Asia and Europe, Working in London and attending various auditions, My on ship journey began on board the Grand Princess January 12th 2020.  I was working as a Production Vocalist alongside 12 other extremely talented singers and dancers, having the absolute time of my life performing whilst traveling San Fransisco, Mexico and Hawaii but unfortunately we didn’t quite make it to Canada and Alaska as planned.

Being a performer on ship definitely had its perks, besides the odd day performance most of our work was evenings, so we had days full of either exploring new countries or exploring and enjoying the on board luxuries. But in order to get to that stage we definitely went through the ‘blood sweat and tears’ during our 5 week rehearsal period of non-stop hard work learning our four production shows, and a few one off songs. Then heading on board we had to go through the process of transferring the shows on stage while adding sound, quick costumes changes, wig changes, and lighting to the mix. Our reward and the best feeling ever was then performing to an audience at the end of all that hard work. (I still was in disbelief every day that this was my job) 

March 3rd we found out that Covid-19 had made it on ship and I definitely went through all the different emotions that you would relate to loss, but I can confidently say I never felt unsafe or scared.
It was a long journey of 55 day not touching land, sleepless nights, packing and unpacking several times thinking I was leaving then being told no. 
It was an incredibly draining process but I would not change my experience for anything as before Covid-19 came on board I had a taste of a job that I’ve always dreamt of having. 

I would go back on board within a heartbeat, but for now I’m teaching singing back in Whakatane which I’m absolutely loving and I will take any performing opportunity that comes my way! 
I have high hopes that Im going to head over to London within a year, and when the ships get back up and running I’ll be there!

Eve Lyford

For those who may not remember or know who I am, my name is Cole and its been 4 years since I graced the stage for Theatre Whakatane (My last work being the choreographer for Evita 2016) and here is a small update of what I have been up to. 
Since then I have graduated Te Auaha – The New Zealand Institute of Applied Creativity with a Diploma in Performing Arts (Dance) and have gone on to move to Los Angeles, California to start my three-year journey with Princess Cruise Lines. The opportunity to leave New Zealand for professional dance work is extremely slim, so when I was offered the contract I did not hesitate to get out in the world and perform on the big stage alongside some of the world’s best. I am immensely proud to have also been joined by Eve (Princess) and Bailea (Royal Caribbean) whom I grew up performing alongside and who also started their worldwide entertainment career this year. It shows that even performers from little old Whakatane can make it in the international entertainment industry. Whilst on board I had the pleasure of working in a cast made up of Broadway and Westend performers, at which we performed eight shows across all 7 continents (80 countries). It was extremely rewarding to perform alongside these powerhouses of musical theatre, and it gave me the motivation every day to strive to become that extra bit better. I am a firm believer that you never stop improving, and there is always someone better than you. As of now, I have temporarily left professional dancing due to being offered a promotion to become a full officer of the onboard entertainment department, there is a lot of logistics behind the smooth running of a 100,000+ tonne ship with anywhere between 4000-7000 people on board at any given time. I am finding the administration, human resources, and supply chain logistics a rewarding challenge within this role and am looking to further progress in this field whether here at home or internationally. To help gain an edge in the business side of life, I am furthering my studies by doing a Bachelor and Post graduate in Human Resource Management with the prestigious Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD UK) and studying Strategic Management with the Wharton School of Business in the USA. In addition, I still teach dance and have a dance fitness and ballroom following of over 1000 people worldwide.
Many of you are probably wondering what it was like for me onboard during the Covid-19 outbreak. I would like to start with that I am extremely proud of how my company and its president, Jan Swartz handled the crisis. Speaking for myself, we were extremely proactive with our response on my ship. We reported zero cases of covid-19 from the start of the cruise operational pause (March 17) until I left the ship (July 4). In the time prior to the pause until my contract end date, I had spent 150 days without touching land, to me that was the hardest part of it all. There is nothing quite like watching a golden sun set in the horizon at sea… but after 150 days straight of it, you long for the sweet embrace of solid land.
I hope you all stay safe and I look forward to whatever the future may hold. 

Cole Bockman