Te Wāhi Toi/The Arts Place exists to connect the creative community of Queenstown and Wānaka with audiences, students, teachers, spaces and each other. We are a not-for-profit organisation powered by Three Lakes Cultural Trust and inspired by local arts and culture.
Music Month: Margaret O'Hanlon's journey to the stage
From the bustling streets of New York to the alpine peaks of Queenstown, Margaret's journey is one defined by passion, creativity, and an unfiltered love for the arts....
From the bustling streets of New York to the alpine peaks of Queenstown, Margaret's journey is one defined by passion, creativity, and an unfiltered love for the arts. As the driving force behind Whirlwind Productions, Margaret has more than established herself as a staple in Queenstown's music and theatre scene.
At the heart of Whirlwind Productions lies Margaret’s Tiny Room Concerts. A nod to traditional Cabaret, these intimate 60-minute shows are infused with music and comedic narrative. Each show is centred around a specific theme or musical artist, captivating audiences with laughter, glamour and talent. Partnering with the iconic Blue Door in Arrowtown, Margaret and her team have created a platform showcasing the best of Queenstown’s creative talent and allowing emerging musicians to shine.
In addition to her work with Whirlwind Productions, Margaret is also the driving force behind The Singers Workshop. Founded in 1995, The Singers Workshop offers a supportive environment for singers to hone their skills and build confidence. Margaret offers group workshops for beginners to advanced sessions focusing on technique, harmony, and performance.
Margaret's dedication to nurturing talent and fostering a love for music in Queenstown is unparalleled. Whether she's directing a Tiny Room Concert or leading a class at The Singers Workshop, her passion for the arts shines through, inspiring others to embrace their creativity and find joy in music.
"I always knew I was an artist," Margaret reflects. "I had no choice; I knew I would never be happy doing anything else." It's this unwavering sense of purpose that led her to embrace Queenstown and weave her creative magic.
When asked about the pivotal moments that have shaped her artistic journey, Margaret reflects on several transformative experiences that have guided her path.
“I was painfully shy throughout grade school, and even going into high school," Margaret shares. However, a high school assignment proved to be a turning point. Tasked with assuming the role of a biography subject, Margaret chose Judy Garland and discovered a kindred spirit in the iconic performer.
"Judy was so shy that she used to put on clown make-up to do interviews," Margaret notes. Inspired by Garland's resilience, Margaret found the courage to step into the spotlight herself. "It was after this presentation that my English teacher suggested I transfer into the drama class," she recalls, beginning her theatrical journey.
Margaret's artistic pursuits later took her to the bustling streets of New York City, where she navigated the challenges of balancing day jobs with her passion for performance. "When people would ask me what I did, I used to say I was a typist," Margaret recounts with a laugh. However, a chance encounter with a cab driver sparked a moment of clarity.
"One evening, I struck up a conversation with my cab driver. He asked me what I did, and in that split second, I decided to redefine myself. I told him I was a singer," Margaret recalls, embracing her identity as an artist and paving the way for her future endeavours.
Upon relocating to Queenstown, Margaret found herself at the helm of an exciting new venture - directing the musical, The Doo Wop Club. “However, I found the script a bit lacklustre," Margaret explains. Undeterred, she took matters into her own hands, rewriting parts of the script to breathe new life into the production. Despite the challenges of navigating licensing restrictions, Margaret's bold approach paid off. "It was extremely well-received," she shares, marking the beginning of her journey with Whirlwind Productions. "From then on, I had little interest in recreating someone else's work. I was much more excited by what I could create myself.”
Margaret's artistic journey is a reflection of the world around her. "I am a bit of a collector," she explains. "When I’m working on a project, it starts with an idea. It might be something I find interesting, something I’ve overhead, an anomaly or an event in history,” she says. “From there, I create the story around it. I look at everything that relates to that topic, anything that happens to me, anyone who speaks to me, and anything that resonates with my initial idea is saved and added to the story," Margaret elaborates.
For Margaret, storytelling is paramount, with each piece requiring a clear beginning, middle, crisis, and conclusion to fully captivate the audience. "I'm very old-fashioned that way," she admits. "Without a proper narrative arc, the topic is not all that interesting to me."
When asked what challenges she faces in her creative practice, Margaret replies, "The biggest challenge is the lack of proper space to present in. We don't have an actual theatre to work in, so my vision is only ever 75% of what it should be. The magic can only go so far." However, she acknowledges the silver lining here, too. "It does make me more creative in bringing my ideas across!”
Margaret’s Tiny Room Concert ‘Live with David’ is currently being performed at the Blue Door Bar in Arrowtown. The fictional story inspired by Bowie began with a chance encounter on a New York City bus, leading Margaret to a record store rendezvous that changed her life. Through the ups and downs, Bowie remained a constant companion, introducing her to timeless classics and shaping her artistic journey. Alongside Matt Wilson, Eby Sebastian, Martin Rylev, and Alex Pyle, Margaret brings to life the magic of her long-awaited tribute to the legendary musician.
To those just starting their journey in the arts, Margaret's advice is simple. "Do not accept the stock answer that the performing arts is a 'hard way to make a living', or that it's so difficult that only a few will make it. So is medicine. So is sport. So is law, yet nobody ever discouraged their child from becoming an athlete, lawyer or doctor. Go for it. Your passion will never desert you."
From the team at Te Wāhi Toi, thank you for all that you do to inspire our local creative scene, provide pathways for future generations, and share so much talent and joy with our district. Once again, it’s your turn to take a bow.
