November 9, 2023

Jennifer Shennan pays tribute to Sir Jon Trimmer

Dancer, actor, mime, mentor. Gardener, painter, potter. Son, brother, husband. Friend, and citizen of Paekākāriki. Calm, kind, intuitive, funny, disciplined, loyal, supportive, discreet, gracious, grateful.

October 29, 2023

Sir Jon Trimmer left his beautiful dancing body on the morning of October 26th 2023. Vale Jon T. Thank you.

That evening Kerry Prendergrast acknowledged his passing, with a well-placed tribute, at the opening of the Royal New Zealand Ballet's season of Hansel and Gretel. The performance was dedicated to him. The company’s enduring legacy is, in part, attributable to Sir Jon Trimmer. He was a dancer in their ranks for 60 years, their kaumātua, and an ever gracious, humble yet consummate artist who brought majesty and magic to the stage. Offstage, always kind, always with a twinkle in his eye and a smile. We will keep you posted about events to mark his life.

October 28, 2023

Commemorating Douglas Wright on his birthday.

An event curated and hosted by Jennifer Shennan was held to celebrate his work. It is hoped this will become an annual event.

October 26, 2023

Creative NZ’s Financial Future Laid Bare 

"All indications are that there will be less pūtea to support the sector next financial year and beyond than in recent years" – CNZ Chief Executive Stephen Wainwright explains what lies ahead for leading arts funder.

September 22, 2023

Te Whare Tapere Tirohanga Hou

We are delighted to announce a reo name for Theatreview: Te Whare Tapere Tirohanga Hou.

July 1, 2023

NEW ZEALAND’S OLDEST UNIVERSITY THEATRE PROGRAMME UNDER THREAT

Thinking about what would be lost if these cuts proceed has led me to attempt a brief history of our Theatre Programme.  As a graduate and a staff member here for nearly 25 years, I’ve witnessed first-hand the massive contribution this programme has made to the arts in Wellington, in Aotearoa and beyond.

April 15, 2023

ADAM NZ PLAY AWARD 2023 SUPERNOVA SHINES BRIGHT FOR PLAYWRIGHT 

PLAYMARKET is pleased to announce the ADAM NZ PLAY AWARD winner for 2023 is Albert Belz (Ngāti Porou, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Pokai) for his play Supernova. Albert also received the award for Best Play by a Māori Writer (an accolade he first received in 2018 for his play Cradle Song). The Adam NZ Play Award recognises and celebrates the best in new unproduced writing for the theatre.

March 29, 2023

THE DUNEDIN FRINGE FESTIVAL AWARDS | 2023

Despite the challenges leading up to this year's festival, we hosted 67 live events from Aotearoa, Canada, the States, Switzerland, Scotland, the UK, and Australia and sold more than 5,000 tickets.

March 20, 2023

Political Parties React To Arts Leaders Open Letter

Want to know what the parties actually think about the state of arts and culture in Aotearoa right now? The Big Idea approached all in parliament to state their case in an election year.

March 16, 2023

Open Letter – “To Lose Culture Is To Risk Losing Heart And Spirit”

An email circulated among some arts circles last week - raising some important issues. Such conversations are not uncommon, but the collective eager to bring these conversations to the forefront is an eye-catching one.

March 2, 2023

Playmarket announces shortlist for the 2023 Adam NZ Play Award

Huge congratulations to all and many thanks to all those who submitted scripts. The winners will be announced in April.

February 23, 2023

“Impact On Creative Livelihoods Is Profound” – Inside Cyclone Gabrielle’s Devastation

Inside Cyclone Gabrielle's Devastation. How do you show aroha and manaakitanga to those so terribly impacted by these events? The creative community rallies the way they know how - fundraising and morale-raising.

February 13, 2023

HUGE RESPONSE TO 24 HOUR ARTS GRANTS CUT-OFF

The creative community has spoken up in their droves after Creative NZ's latest Arts Grants round reached its application cap in one day - we examine the reaction on social media.

February 7, 2023

$22 Million Boost For Creative New Zealand

A major announcement has just been made that will have a big impact on CNZ's ability to fund creatives and events. Find out what is going where - and where the money is coming from.

January 11, 2023

BATS THEATRE FRONT OF HOUSE MANAGER BATS Front of House Manager ensures our artists are well supported and informed about our FOH procedures and general vibe when joining us on-site.

BATS THEATRE FRONT OF HOUSE MANAGER BATS Front of House Manager ensures our artists are well supported and informed about our FOH procedures and general vibe when joining us on-site.

January 10, 2023

ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET ARTISTIC DIRECTOR PATRICIA BARKER ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT AFTER 43 YEARS IN BALLET The Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) has today anounced the retirement of Artistic Director Patricia…

ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET ARTISTIC DIRECTOR PATRICIA BARKER ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT AFTER 43 YEARS IN BALLET The Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) has today anounced the retirement of Artistic Director Patricia Barker. In her five and a half years at the helm of the national ballet company, Barker commissioned 12 new main stage ballets from New Zealand-based or born choreographers including six ballets with original scores by New Zealand composers. New commissions from local and international choreographers are in discussion for 2024.

December 18, 2022

METAPHORS POTENT TOOLS IN THE WORLD OF ARTS FUNDING Sam Trubridge Dominion Post, Dec 15 2022 Sam Trubridge is director of The Performance Arcade and other theatre, dance, and live…

METAPHORS POTENT TOOLS IN THE WORLD OF ARTS FUNDING Sam Trubridge Dominion Post, Dec 15 2022 Sam Trubridge is director of The Performance Arcade and other theatre, dance, and live art projects with 25 years experience working in New Zealand and overseas. Artists are good at metaphors. We know their power, and we also know their dangers. Metaphors can become potent tools for cultural critique, or they can backfire on us. Creative NZ named its funds for our more established arts organisations, Toi Uru Kahikatea and Toi Tōtara Haemata, after trees.

December 16, 2022

The Wellington Theatre Awards 2022 – Ngā Whakarākei O Whātaitai SUNDAY 11 DECEMBER 7pmHANNAH PLAYHOUSEThe Wellington Theatre Awards 2022 – Ngā Whakarākei O Whātaitai – recognise the actors, designers, technicians,…

The Wellington Theatre Awards 2022 – Ngā Whakarākei O Whātaitai SUNDAY 11 DECEMBER 7pm HANNAH PLAYHOUSE The Wellington Theatre Awards 2022 – Ngā Whakarākei O Whātaitai – recognise the actors, designers, technicians, managers, writers, composers and directors that create and produce theatre in Wellington. After another challenging year for the Poneke Theatre sector, The Wellington Theatre Awards invited people to come together, connect and celebrate the amazing theatre that has been presented in Wellington over the last year – at The Hannah Playhouse on Sunday 11th December for the Wellington theatre arts industry event of the year!

December 15, 2022

NEW ZEALAND FRINGE FESTIVAL IS BACK WITH A DIVERSE, ELECTRIC NEW PROGRAMME FOR 2023: TICKETS ARE ON SALE TONIGHT. The New Zealand Fringe Festival (NZ Fringe) has given us all…

NEW ZEALAND FRINGE FESTIVAL IS BACK WITH A DIVERSE, ELECTRIC NEW PROGRAMME FOR 2023: TICKETS ARE ON SALE TONIGHT. The New Zealand Fringe Festival (NZ Fringe) has given us all the gift we really wanted this Christmas, with tickets on sale this evening for its stellar new 2023 programme. Aotearoa’s leading open-access arts festival celebrates the involvement of over 160 events spread across a huge 40+ venues in Pōneke this summer. With Covid-19 restrictions on travel now lifted, NZ Fringe is excited to deliver a line-up of award-winning international acts, many of whom are bringing their performances to Aotearoa for the first time. Joining these artists is an amazing line-up of homegrown talent and local legends.

December 6, 2022

It is with deep sadness that the Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) has announced the ultimate cancellation of the Auckland season of Venus Rising due to increasing COVID cases within…

It is with deep sadness that the Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) has announced the ultimate cancellation of the Auckland season of Venus Rising due to increasing COVID cases within the company. RNZB Artistic Director Patricia Barker says, “This beautiful production, which we had to postpone three times and cancel, now, twice, has taken us on a journey. We were determined to get it on stage, and we did that in the world premiere season in Wellington and for one special show in Christchurch. Despite having their hearts broken every time we had to push it back, when the occasion finally arrived, the dancers danced their hearts out in a world class performance.

November 27, 2022

BRUCE MASON PLAYWRITING AWARD 2022 Partnership takes top playwriting award Playmarket is pleased to announce that the winners of the 2022 Bruce Mason Playwriting Award are Eleanor Bishop and Karin…

BRUCE MASON PLAYWRITING AWARD 2022 Partnership takes top playwriting award

November 8, 2022

Applications for Choreolab 2023 are now open! Come celebrate 21 years of New Zealand’s most profound professional development event for dance practitioners from 9th-20th January 2023.

Applications for Choreolab 2023 are now open! Come celebrate 21 years of New Zealand’s most profound professional development event for dance practitioners from 9th-20th January 2023.

November 5, 2022

A GUIDE FOR ARTS ADVOCATES Changing the story on arts, culture and creativity in Aotearoa; a guide for arts advocates about how to build support for a future where artists…

The guide is for people already advocating for the arts, or anyone who wants to play a role in creating an Aotearoa where arts, culture and creativity thrive.