Getting more Pasifika women into comedy: Fast Favourites with Rhiannon McCall

Pasifika people make up almost 17% of Tamaki Makaurau Auckland's population, but Pasifika women in particular are considered underrepresented when it comes to the professional comedy scene. It's something Cook Islands-New Zealand comedian Rhiannon McCall with Samoan New Zealand producer Sarah Richards are looking to help change with a new free programme in South Auckland for women later this month. Va'ine Fresh will cover the basics of stand up, improv and stagecraft, culminating in a "low stakes showcase" at Mangere Arts Centre at the end of September. A 2024 Billy T Award Nominee, Rhiannon McCall is a familiar face from television. Everything from Seven Sharp and Shortland Street to recently My Dream Green Home, Don't and Guy Montgomery's Spelling Bee. This year for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival she brought an entire town to life in a completely improvised western The Good the Bad, and the Completely Made Up! Rhiannon McCall joins us in the Auckland studio to play Fast Favourites.