February 20, 2008

AN AUCKLAND PLAYWRIGHT INJECTION 

After thirty-five years at the heart of New Zealand theatre, Wellington based national playwrights’ agency and development organisation Playmarket has opened an Auckland office.

"The move," says Playmarket Director Mark Amery, "reflects increased confidence in theatre in Auckland and further opportunities for its growth."

"Auckland has as many professional playwrights resident as Wellington. We also believe there is opportunity for a growing presence for the New Zealand play generally in the Auckland region and for the spirit in the industry at present to effect change."

Playmarket’s Auckland office – on Level 11 of The Wellesley Centre at 44-52 Wellesley Street West ph: +64 9 365 2648 – is close to the THE EDGE and Town Hall precinct, and is shared with New Zealand theatre developers and producers Massive Company and Q Theatre. Last week Q Theatre was advanced $200,000 by the Auckland City Council to complete the resource consent process with plans to build a new theatre next to the Auckland Town Hall.

"Last year was a record year for the New Zealand play and we have seen licensing rise steadily over the last 15 years. We hope Playmarket’s physical presence in Auckland will instil confidence and help bring the industry together around new New Zealand work – a role that has, I believe been one of the organisation’s longstanding strengths."

The Auckland office sees the move from Wellington of Agency Coordinator Katrina Chandra, and the establishment this month of a new position, a Māori and Pacific Island Playwright Development Coordinator, who will be responsible for identifying production and development opportunities for these playwrights. This is in line with Playmarket’s increasing development work with Māori and Pacific Island theatre in Auckland. This position has been filled by Jenni Heka, who has extensive experience in the arts with these communities.

All Playmarket activities, including the extensive national script development development programme and play bookshop, continue to be managed from Wellington. The new position and the office establishment have been made possible by a grant from the ASB Community Trust for two years. 

Playmarket was established in 1973 to represent New Zealand playwrights, and develop and promote the New Zealand play. It represents New Zealand’s established playwrights, promoting and licensing their work throughout New Zealand and the world.

Playmarket’s National Script development Programme sees development assistance provided to plays with professional potential or production through readings, workshops, script consultations and a wide range of events. These programmes are for both emerging and established professional playwrights. It offers a play bookshop online (www.playmarket.org.nz) providing access for theatre producers, schools and the public to New Zealand’s now extensive library of dramatic works. It receives core funding from Creative New Zealand, with its other principle income stream the licensing of New Zealand work.   

For more information please contact Mark Amery at director@playmarket.org.nz. Or phone 04 382 8464.