Papua New Guinean playwright Andrew Asaph Kuliniasi’s journey into the world of theatre and storytelling is nothing short of remarkable. At the young age of 16, he embarked on a creative path, immersing himself in directing, writing and producing plays. Having been bullied through high school because of being different, Theatre gave him an escape into the world of acting.
He soon realized that he had a passion for theatre and that he had the power to affect change and alter mindsets through acting. Now at the age of 24, his passion for the arts burns as brightly as ever. With deep desire to bring forth narratives that resonate with the people of Papua New Guinea.
Andrew’s dedication is truly inspiring. He wrote his first play Meisoga in 2016, at the age of 16 and went on to write 3 other plays; He Is Victor in 2021 (Andrew’s first published play), For My Father in 2022 and Letters from Bradley in 2023. The stage play He is Victor advocates against discrimination of people living with HIV, the LGBTQ + communities and Gender Based Violence.
It’s a play that sheds like on the fact that HIV and TB is everyone’s business. In 2021, Andrew took a significant step by establishing Knack Studios, marking a new chapter in his artistic pursuits. Nothing ever really prepared him for running a business at a young age whilst trying to pursue his dreams.
He knew only one thing and that is his passion and drive for theatre and film and the need to tell stories that mattered to Papua.