Hagley Theatre School

An exciting opportunity for our actors! We're delighted to have Sally Stockwell joining Hagley Theatre School as a guest voice tutor. 🎶🎭

From 29 June–3 July, Sally will be working with our actors on voice, bringing a wealth of experience in performance, theatre-making, music, and vocal practice.

Sally Stockwell is an actor, theatre maker, singer-songwriter, and voice coach. A graduate of Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School, she also holds a performance diploma with Pantheatre/Roy Hart Theatre (France), specialising in embodied voice practice, extended vocal techniques, and choreographic theatre. With more than 30 years of professional performance experience and over two decades of teaching, Sally brings a unique blend of artistic practice and vocal expertise to her work with students. Alongside her teaching, she continues to create, perform, and tour original music and theatre works.

“What excites me about teaching at Hagley Theatre School is its commitment to the arts and to nurturing creativity" - says Sally - "I love working with young artists who are curious, committed, and willing to take creative risks, and supporting them to develop greater freedom, confidence, and range in their voices and performance.”

Great article about WONDER in Daily Encourager! So proud of our creative team❤️
WONDER premieres next week, Tuesday 23 June - Thursday 25 June at the Isaac Theatre Royal.

Wandering in wonder - Daily Encourager 3 HOPES Have you ever felt safer living in wonder? In an imaginary place hidden from the real world? Christchurch audiences are invited into a world of Wonder. A spectacular realm of mask and puppet theatre exploring the tension between the rich, colourful world of imagination and the ordinary, some...

Who is behind the show?… 🎭
✨ Meet the makers of Wonder: Ifat Vayner-Itzkovitch Ifat Vayner

Ifat is a Christchurch-based international puppeteer and creator who has been blending puppetry, dance, and physical theatre in surprising and delightful ways for the past 15 years.

For Wonder, opening next week, Ifat has been creating the production's puppets and working closely with Hagley Theatre School actors to bring its magical world to life. Don't miss the chance to see Ifat's artistry in action - three performances only, 23–25 June! 🎭✨

We're also excited to welcome Ifat to Hagley Theatre School as a guest tutor this July, where she will be sharing her expertise in puppetry with our students.

As Ifat herself puts it:

“When I think about what it means to teach at Hagley Theatre School, the first word that comes to mind is excitement. I am thrilled to meet the students and bring puppetry to life with them and through them.

Puppets have a unique way of communicating and animating metaphors. They belong to an ancient artistry and wisdom carried through many cultures and generations of storytellers. Through exploring different puppetry techniques, I hope to bring back the element of play, share the secret and magical possibilities that puppets offer, and help keep this special medium alive.”

Who is it? Ohhh, it's WONDER! Both of them! But wait till you see the show, there are not one, not two but twelve characters (and only three actors! Isn't it a... wonder?)
We open Tuesday 23 June at the Isaac Theatre Royal! Tickets are only $21-$26. Inconceivable!!
https://hubs.li/Q04hzSlr0

Topeng and Bondres masks from Bali are the focus of the investigation at Hagley Theatre School this week! A journey through laughter, mystery and social criticism.

Who is behind the mask?… 🎭
✨ Meet the makers of Wonder: Isaac Powers Power Izzy✨
Isaac is an emerging actor and theatre-maker from Aotearoa New Zealand. In 2022, they travelled to London as part of the Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival. In Aotearoa, Isaac trained in the theatre practices of Jacques Lecoq and Jacques Copeau under Pedro Illgenfritz at Hagley Theatre School (2024–2025). Isaac's work focuses on clowning, mask performance, drag, psychophysical theatre, and neutral mask.
Isaac brings a joyful energy, playful imagination, and lively presence to every project they join!
Catch Isaac in WONDER, a darkly funny and visually striking new work of mask and object theatre. The show opens on Tuesday 23 June, just over two weeks from now - don't miss out!
Book now: https://hubs.li/Q04gJG110