Join the Club
If your social media feed is full of arts organisations up and down the country sharing the shock of cuts and denials, join the club. Has the arts sector ever done it this hard? asks The Spinoff. We haven't even seen the results for Tier 1 and 2 organisations but boy howdy, those Tier 3 and 4 orgs who got denied are some of the most vital, inspiring makers in Aotearoa and it is galling and gutting to think about how much arts infrastructure and how many opportunities we are going to lose over the next few years.
Also relevant: If you don’t look you can’t see, or, the consequences of Southern invisibility in national arts funding. An excellent post from Erin Harrington of Ōtautahi which includes: "More has been spent by the government in the last month bailing out a cement plant in Northland than has been allocated to CNZ in the previous three years." It's specifically about the state of funding in the South Island, but of course speaks to the overall nightmare that is austerity.
The only party with any kind of vaguely substantial arts policy is the Greens. Also, don't forget to check your enrolment and/or change to/from the Māori roll.
In much, much better news, I've got a week of shows on at BATS next week called The Sublet - a venue within a venue where I've programmed six fun shows over three nights. My dream is that this becomes a regular fixture for both performers and audiences. Check out all the shows below and come join us!
snippets
- I've started a wee Theatresports club for those of us well out of high school where the criteria for joining is - have you done at least basic improv training? Are you prepared to be present and positive and work together? Are you prepared to be directed and supported and supportive? Then hey - join the club! We're gonna do our a show on Thursday 13 August and I'm excited to see what happens. If you wanna come play, click here and tell me your deets.
- The NZ Improv Festival programme is coming out very very soon. This is very exciting.
coming up...
the sublet
- Theatresports (Locomotive). Thurs 13 Aug, 7pm at BATS Theatre, tix $15-25.
Two teams fearlessly take the stage and with no scripts, they take turns performing scenes, playing games, telling stories and creating characters entirely spontaneously. - Charact-Her (Ginge and Minge). Thurs 13 Aug, 8:30pm at BATS Theatre, tix $15-25.
They've wowed audiences around Australasia for 5 years with their character comedy and expert eye for satire. Now, the 'Comic Originality' winners (NZ Comedy Guild Awards 2025) bring their favourite five female characters to into one 50min show. - Happy Hour (Best on Tap). Fri 14 Aug, 7pm at BATS Theatre, tix $15-25.
Taking prompts from the audience, Best on Tap will create an intoxicating array of scenes and stories to start your weekend right. - Scratch Night. Fri 14 Aug, 8:30pm at BATS Theatre, tix $10-15.
Join us for a night of messy works in progress where Pōneke creatives test their ideas in front of a Friday night crowd. Not just improv! - Little Shop of Graduates (PopRox). Sat 15 Aug, 7pm at BATS Theatre, tix $10-15.
Join the graduates of PopRox Musical improv course as they make up original songs and musical scenes on the spot! - Late Night Knife Fight (Locomotive). Sat 15 Aug, 8:30pm at BATS Theatre, tix $15-25.
The monthly-ish improv battle where three teams face off in a fight for glory, honour, and the audience's favour. Headlined by The Natural History Boy.
more shows
- Battle of WITs (Wellington Improv Troupe). Fri 7 Aug, 7pm at Thistle Hall, tix pay-what-you-can from $5.
Wellington's beloved community improv troupe is back with another Battle of WITs, a joyful comedy competition where three teams battle it out to be declared The Actual Best. - Silly Billies (Bucket Hutt). Thur 13 Aug, 7pm at Cavern Club, tix $10 online, $15 on the door.
Every month, we assemble a line-up of the city’s top comedians and let them loose to test drive their weirdest, most experimental ideas.
workshops
- Anything coming up friends?
- WIT Tuesdays (Wellington Improv Troupe). 6-8pm, various teachers. Drop in, koha. Check the most recent newsletter (at the link) for info on this week’s session.
ka kite anō
That’s all for now; let me know what I missed in the comments, and stay safe and well xx
