Max Thompson-Bailey is gearing up ready to perform as a special guest at the Shakespeare Festival in Wellington this week
He's mute, has no movement in his legs, limited movement in his arms but, from the stage, he holds his audience captive.
Meet Max, Tauraroa Area School's (TAS) shining star who is off to debut a performance in front of an audience of up to 300 this week. And he doesn't have stage fright at all.
Max Thompson-Bailey has cerebral palsy causing a significant physical disability. But, this year, the Year 11 student has found his niche in drama with his well-honed performance landing him an "inspirational guest" appearance at the Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival in Wellington this weekend.
Max with best friend Christian, drama teacher Tabitha Kaiser and his drama classmates are about to perform in Wellington. Photo / Michael Cunningham
Max is joining 10 TAS students at the annual festival after the group was selected, along with a group from Whangārei Boys' High School, from the recent Tai Tokerau Regional Shakespeare Festival, to represent Northland. A trio of TAS students will be performing a five-minute excerpt from Titus Andronicus with the remaining pupils, who received special mention at the regionals, joining them to support.
TAS drama teacher Tabitha Kaiser said she had sent a video of Max's performance to one of the Wellington organisers.
"I emailed the organiser and shared the video of him performing. She said, 'Oh my gosh, can he please come down?' We had three weeks to organise so I set up a Givealittle page and, within three days, it had reached the goal of $2540. Our community has really got behind it."
Max will be performing a two-minute scene from Romeo and Juliet portraying Romeo's friend Mercutio as he dies using body language and facial expression.
As well as hand and arm gestures and facial expression, the 15-year-old communicates via a "talkie" – a Smartbox Grid Pad 3 – augmentative communication device. He can tap keys to form words and sentences, relayed through a computerised voice.
Max dictates the timing of his performance while a fellow student will control the hand-held device activating the monologue narration, leaving his teacher free to keep eye contact with Max, who he looks to for support.
Max's mum Lisa Thompson said they had chosen drama while selecting Max's options for the year because it was an inclusive subject.
"The other kids have to interact with him and it's given him a moment to shine that he otherwise wouldn't get."
His biggest audience to date had comprised 30 but she said Max wasn't fazed about performing in front of up to 300 expected at the Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand University of Otago Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival.
"He says he's not nervous. I'm more nervous than him I think. Max is just taking it all in his stride. He just loves it."
Max is well-liked for his cheeky nature and wide grin. Photo / Michael Cunningham
Described by his teacher as "cheeky" and an enthusiastic drama student, the WWE wrestling fanatic and Xbox gamer with the wide grin is popular among his peers.
Kaiser said Max had been working hard on his performance during class time.
"My goal for Max was I wanted more physical communication from him and he's come up with this presentation himself."
On Wednesday, Max performed a rehearsal to a Year 9 class and held them enthralled. Present was his best friend Christian Wickens, who has been by his side since they began school together aged five.
Thompson said, "They're a quirky pair. It's pretty sweet because Christian looks out for him."
"And Max kind of grounds Christian," added Kaiser.
This is the fifth consecutive year TAS students have performed in the festival. Five students over four years have gone through to the next stage after the finals with one performing at Shakespeare's Globe in London.
The teacher and students, along with Year 13 student Darius Martin Baker, who gained direct entry to the next stage for his performance at the regionals, left yesterday. Max and his parents were flying out today for his Sunday performance in what will be his first plane trip.
Said Kaiser: "It's just so cool for him and it's just so cool how Shakespeare is significant to all walks of life and languages. It's 400 years old and is still so relevant and just creating passion for learning and drama."
