Emily Chalk
Not many young women celebrate turning 22 by bungee jumping off the Auckland Sky Tower – especially if they have a heart condition. But that’s what daredevil Down for Love star Lily Mae Ivatt-Oakley chose to do last month, followed by gambling at the casino for the first time with her parents Hayley and Chris.
“Some people think bungee jumping is a bit too scary and risky,” says the theatre actor and dancer, who once did catalogue modelling for The Warehouse.
“But I did it for myself.”
From surgery to stage
Lily Mae, who has Down syndrome, was born with a complete atrioventricular canal defect – meaning she had a large hole in her heart and one valve instead of two. Despite receiving life-saving surgery at six weeks old, it hasn’t stopped the hip-hop and contemporary dancer from courageously grabbing life by the horns.
“Mum said to email my heart clinic doctor before bungee jumping,” recalls Lily Mae, who has siblings Eden, 24, Nova, 19, Bodhi, 16, and Dior, 13.
“I said, ‘It’s not that dramatic.’”
Finding her passion in dance
For Lily Mae, who started dancing at the age of two, performing comes naturally. So when she wanted to join theatre productions at high school but was only given minor roles, she felt ”alone and sad”.
However, in early 2020, she joined the Glass Ceiling Arts Collective, co-founded by actor Charlotte Nightingale and Mike Eaglesome, to make the performing arts accessible and empowering for people with disabilities.
”I like everything about Charlotte,” enthuses Lily Mae, who began with minor parts that led to roles in major productions.
“My favourite show has to be High School Musical and I was [lead character] Sharpay. I was Gloria in Madagascar and Princess Fiona in Shrek.”
Taking the lead in Spark Live
Lily Mae is currently working on Spark Live, a multi-sensory show originally written and made into a short film by Charlotte in 2023. Glass Ceiling performed it at the Auckland and Hamilton art festivals, and singer-comedian Jackie Clarke played Lily Mae’s mother.
From November 3-7, they will perform it at Christchurch’s refurbished The Court Theatre. Lily Mae will share the lead role with her best friend Zoe Elvin, 21, who attends Glass Ceiling’s South Auckland group, and they’ll be paid for their work.
“This year, Jackie’s not going to be my mum – she has been too busy, so Charlotte is taking her role,” says Lily Mae, who appeared in an IHC campaign as a primary schooler and in Auckland kids’ TV show Zip and Mac.
Going on Down for Love
Previously, Lily Mae flew to Christchurch to shoot dating reality show Down for Love. She loved the experience, and learning about the ups and downs of dating. The disappointment of it not resulting in romance led to a few tears being shed.
However, Lily Mae is now focused on her busy schedule, which includes 10 hours of theatre training and rehearsing each week, as well as participating in productions and learning to cook dinners like spaghetti Bolognese.
She works part-time for Netball North Harbour, folding bibs and making game announcements over the microphone, and has been mentoring a younger girl at Glass Ceiling, who also has Down syndrome. She has a strict exercise routine, getting up at eight every morning to run for 25 minutes and doing yoga once a week.
Advocacy on and off the stage
Lily Mae’s also an ambassador for Upside Downs Education Trust, which provides speech and language therapy for Kiwi children with Down syndrome. Last October, she spoke in front of 300 people at Eden Park, following a speech by Olympian Dame Barbara Kendall.
The same year, Lily Mae presented at the World Down Syndrome Conference in Brisbane, where she now dreams of living. The limelight lover is also part of Auckland dance group Smoky Mirrors Arts Company and is working on a burlesque number for their upcoming show.
“It’s fabulous,” she enthuses.
“It’s hot and it’s sexy. I can be that confident. I’m used to the confidence when I’m always on stage.”
Leading workshops and inspiring others
On September 20, Lily Mae will lead a sensory storytelling session as a part of the Imaginarium at the Auckland Live festival We The Young. The dance workshop is based on the theme of The Polar Express book and will take place at the Aotea Centre. For Lily Mae, life in her twenties is great. But there’s one birthday present she’s still waiting to receive.
“A boyfriend,” she smiles.
“Someone who’s dreamy, hot, rich, a whole package. There’s a mansion and we get married.”
Lilly Mae hopes her dream man will also share her passion for theatre, music, dancing and fitness.
“And he loves clubbing,” adds Lily Mae, who had a Mamma Mia! 21st party last year with 100 guests.
“He’s always got to be ready for a good time!”
