Children's Theatre Pioneer Tim Bray Has Died
Tim Bray, who lifted children's and youth theatre to new heights in New Zealand, died on Saturday. He was 61.
Bray founded the Tim Bray Theatre Company to produce high-quality kids theatre more than 33 years ago, staging original works and productions based on well-known children's books. That successful run of shows came to an end late last year following Bray's announcement of a diagnosis for a rare soft tissue cancer.
He told RNZ's Nine to Noon in December that treatment for cancer, along with scraping together the annual budget of $1 million to continue producing theatre, was no longer possible. The annual Christmas production of the Santa Claus Show in December was the company's final curtain when he was unable to find someone to take over his work.
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Bray showed an interest in the performing arts when he saw travelling theatre companies perform at his school. His parents enrolled him in drama classes at age 13.
Bray first had the idea to start a company dedicated to children's theatre when the Auckland Youth Theatre, where Bray worked at the time, shut down. He described theatre for kids and young people as being 'incredibly in my bones…'
Bray's mission was always to provide quality theatre to every child. In 2004, the theatre company was well ahead of others when it began providing sign language interpreters at shows.
The theatre company went on to provide sensory relaxed performances for children put off by loud noises and other over-stimulating elements. Audio-described performances for blind children were another addition.
The Tim Bray Theatre Company delivered more than 100 productions to hundreds of thousands of children. They toured New Zealand and performed for King Charles and Queen Camilla when they were prince and duchess. Bray was awarded a Queen's Service Medal in 2017.
'Tim Bray's work has been instrumental in shaping children's theatre in Aotearoa New Zealand over more than three decades,' said Peter Winder, chair of Tim Bray Theatre Company.
'We extend our heartfelt condolences to Tim's family, friends, and all who were touched by his remarkable work.'
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