Circa Theatre is a champion of New Zealand Theatre and has a nationwide reputation for excellence. We have been champions of quality playwriting and performance since 1976, and we continue to ensure that theatre practitioners are well-supported so that they can make the best theatre in New Zealand.
Hundreds of productions have been presented by Circa. We have two performance spaces where 20-30 shows are staged each year, providing the Wellington theatre-going audience a very busy and diverse bill of entertainment!
Great theatre is a reflection of life and the human condition. It reflects the true emotions and realities of the stories we all share. When all the elements come together, something truly fantastic occurs – a connection between artists and audience.
A management team oversee the day-to-day running of the Theatre as well as supporting each show. The core team are supported by volunteers.
Circa runs its own Box Office, looked after by our Box Office Manager and a team of Box Office Staff.
Circa is run by a Council. The Council provides guidance for the Theatre.
HIGH AMBITIONS
Circa works with a wide range of collaborators. All of ours initiatives generally fit within our five main areas of focus:
Supporting Professional Theatre Makers
We provide a high-quality professional environment for the production of shows of international standards. We work with the Theatre Artists Charitable Trust (TACT) to assist the financial feasibility of major theatre productions.
Creating New Work
Every year Circa commissions, workshops, and develops new works by New Zealand playwrights.
Facilitating Development
The theatre is the hub for others who develop and nurture new work, such as the Matariki Development Festival, Theatresports, and Ahi Ka.
Accessibility
Circa encourages accessibility to the arts for all audiences by offering of Audio Described performances, New Zealand Sign Language Interpreted performances, and Relaxed performances; and by encouraging relationships with those who produce theatre specifically targeted to these demographics, such as production company Everybody Cool Lives Here.
Education
We support theatre educators and schools with initiatives like the Young & Hungry Ambassador Programme and First Tuesdays schools programme. Drama schools throughout Greater Wellington are supported with outreach programmes.
TWO ROOMS
Our two performance spaces allow us to present an eclectic annual season of work, which includes a mix of popular and academic, comedy and drama, musicals and play readings, solo shows and pantomime.
Circa One has a scale allowing for the epic, the spectacular, the dramatic, and the hilarious. This year’s Circa One season continues this tradition, presenting an exceptional line-up that will delight, transform, challenge, and inspire you.
In Circa Two, the immediacy of the connection between artist and audience is paramount. The smaller capacity and intimate nature of the Circa Two space allows audiences to stay focused and observe actors at their most creative. The depth of that creativity is the main feature of this year’s Circa Two programme; we have assembled a season of plays and partnerships that demand a high level of theatrical magic, subtlety, and discipline from our practitioners.
CHARITABLE AIMS
Circa Theatre has charitable status. The Circa Council provides the overarching direction of Circa, and the professional members of the Council volunteer their time to do so. A small administrative team oversee the day-to-day running of the Theatre as well as supporting each show.
Circa’s programme is the life-blood of our theatre and the Circa Council is responsible for all programming decisions. They read a large number of plays each year in order to settle on a programme which strives to match our vision.
Our fundraising efforts are targeted at improving the facilities in the theatre and supporting the production costs of the plays presented here.
