Aotearoa has a thriving and robust network of devising theatre makers, collaborating from a multiplicity of perspectives, creating courageous and exceptional work.

We commit to a thorough interrogation on collaboration and shared ownership, to uphold and celebrate the diverse perspectives of contributors.

Red Leap creates theatre that celebrates women as the central voice.
Ka auahatia e Red Leap he whakaari ka whakanui i ngā wāhine hei reo matua.

Red Leap creates the tools, agency, and resources for practitioners to tell their stories with autonomy and authenticity.

We embrace difference, divergence and diverse points of view. Through collaboration, we allow space for every voice in the room. We make work that explores the multiplicity of perspectives and illuminates our common humanity.

Audiences are included in the creative process, and this input is a vital aspect of how we develop work. Reflecting the diversity of our community, and disrupting the void between art and audience.

We inspire young and emerging artists through our education and development programmes. We create an understanding that devised theatre is a premium expression of storytelling and changemaking. We activate the creative agency for young people to flourish as creatives. Red Leap ensures young people understand their creative career pathways.

We provide pathways for devising practitioners to be supported in making new work in Aotearoa.

WHANAUNGATANGA CONNECTION

Fostering the relationship between audience and company – empowering the audience to engage with the making process through feedback, open rehearsals; then igniting their imaginations with the final production.

Developing emerging practitioners, platforming their voices

Believing in something greater than ourselves

TE MAHI TAHI COLLABORATION

Empowering all voices in the devising team, valuing equity of communication, towards a truly collaborative process.

Collaborate with teachers to upskill the next generation of theatre makers

TE MANAWANUI COURAGE

Dedication to the devising process, creating new stories from the ground up.

Dedication to new work

Commitment to equality

Courage to remain faithful to the devising process

TE HURINGA TRANSFORMATION

We seek to activate the imagination of the audience

Transforming how audiences engage with theatre

Inspiring the audience to open their hearts to the power of transformation

TE KOUNGA EXCELLENCE

We make work of the highest quality

Founding members Kate Parker and Julie Nolan collaborated on three successful works: Moa Hunting, The Butcher’s Daughter, and Beyond the Blue before officially forming Red Leap Theatre Charitable Trust in 2008 with producer Lauren Hughes.

OUR HISTORY:
2009 – The Arrival was commissioned by the Auckland Arts Festival. Based on Shaun Tan’s graphic novel, The Arrival has toured throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

2010 – The Arrival was awarded six Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards. Red Leap ran the first of the Incubator development workshop for established artists. This workshop would be run successfully until 2020.

2011 – Auckland Arts Festival commissioned a second award-winning production Paper Sky.

2012 – Red Leap presented The Arrival plays at the International Arts Festival in Korea. Paper Sky plays at Mangere Arts Centre for the Southside Festival and tours to Downstage in Wellington.

2013 – The Arrival tours to Macau and Taiwan. Paper Sky is toured to Northland.

2014 – SEA premiered at the Maidment Theatre, Auckland.

2015 – Dust Pilgrim premieres at Forum North Whangarei, and plays at Q Theatre in Auckland.

2016 – Dust Pilgrim tours the North Island. Red Leap hosts the Women in Theatre hui at Corbans Estate. Starlings performs as a POP project across Auckland

2017 – Kororāreka – The Ballad of Maggie Flynn premiered at Q Rangatira in July.

2018 – Red Leap toured Dust Pilgrim around the South Island, and took Kororāreka across Aotearoa. Owls Do Cry begins development.

2019 – Red Leap premiered Owls Do Cry at the Waitaki Festival in Ōamaru, and Q Theatre in Auckland. Dakota of the White Flats begins development.

2020 – Owls Do Cry was toured to Whangarei, and we began our emerging directors initiative, the Greenhouse.

2021 – Dakota of the White Flats was premiered in Whangarei, Owls Do Cry has been toured to the South Island. Dakota of the White Flats opened at Q Theatre. The Greenhouse made a return with three incredible young female directors.

2022 – Ella Becroft becomes Artistic Director of the Company as Red Leap transitions to a Legacy Organisation. Owls Do Cry was toured to Hamilton and Wellington. Moe Miti begins development.

2023 - Moe Miti premieres at Q Theatre. Dakota of the White Flats tours to Auckland, Hamilton, Kerikeri and Wellington. WREST begins development

2024 - Dakota of the White Flats tours to Auckland, Manuwatū and Taranaki. WREST continues its development.

2023 WELLINGTON THEATRE AWARDS

Dakota of the White Flats NOMINATIONS:
Director of the Year - Ella Becroft
Excellence Awards for Ensemble
Set Designer of the Year - John Verryt
Lighting Designer of the Year - Rachel Marlow
Sound Designer of the Year - Eden Mulholland
Costume Designer of the Year - Ana van Shie de Pont
Performer of the Year - Batanai Mashingaidze

2022 PAYPA AWARDS:
Dakota of the White Flats
Most Original Production – Dakota of the White Flats

2022 WELLINGTON THEATRE AWARDS:

Owls Do Cry Nominations:
Production of the Year
Director of the Year - Malia Johnston
Sound Design - Eden Mulholland
Outstanding Performance - Hannah Lynch, Ross McCormack, Arlo Gibson
Lighting Design - Rachel Marlow

2016 WELLINGTON THEATRE AWARDS:
Dust Pilgrim

Best Set Design – Poppy Serano
Best Lighting Design – Rachel Marlow

2012 CHAPMAN TRIPP THEATRE AWARDS:
Paper Sky

Most Original Production
Best Design – John Verryt

2010 CHAPMAN TRIPP THEATRE AWARDS:
The Arrival

Best Production
Most Original Production
Best Director – Julie Nolan
Best Design – John Verryt
Best Costume Design – Elizabeth Whiting
Female newcomer of the year – Ella Becroft