About Artworks Community Theatre
Kia ora and welcome to
Te Whare Tapere o Waiheke!
Artworks Community Theatre (‘Te Whare Tapere o Waiheke’ – the house of entertainment) is one of Waiheke greatest attractions. Being a multidisciplinary performing arts hub, you can enjoy a diversity of shows and events, from dance, comedy, music to theatre. With a passionate team we constantly ensure all guests, performers and directors have the best possible experience from enjoying efficient processes and systems to experiencing a clean and safe artistic environment.
We are proudly the largest venue on the island. So if you are considering bringing a show to the island have a chat with our friendly team. We have all you need to make those dreams come to life, no matter how big or small. We have a full liquor license and options for standing or seated events and functions. For hiring enquiries email us on: info@artworkstheatre.org.nz
Our theatre in images
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Meet our commited team
Hinemoa Elder
Ngāti Kurī, Te Aupouri, Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi nui tonu. Raymond Hawthorne cast Hinemoa as Hermia in his Midsummer Night’s Dream Summer Shakespeare more than 30 years ago. In the UK, Hinemoa performed in “Outside In” with Rena Owen at the Edinburgh Festival. Back in NZ, she served as Chair of the Auckland Theatre Company Trust Board, then the inaugural Chair of the Arts Regional Trust. Hinemoa is a staunch advocate for creative expression as necessary for well being, as a practising psychiatrist. Hinemoa is dedicated to ensuring that Te Whare Tapere o Waiheke, Artworks Theatre continues to provide vibrant and meaningful outlets for the diversity of island residents on Waiheke and the wider Hauraki Gulf.
Harriet Crampton
Harriet Crampton grew up in A Doll’s House, then left England for The End of the Golden Weather. She nearly got stuck in a Death of a Salesman job, but got out just in time to join Top Girls at Taki Rua Theatre. Harriet fell into The Crucible when she went north to work for 95bfm, and made Plenty in her time at NZME, but producing Shortland Street was The Homecoming and she wasn’t disturbed by Noises Off. She now wanders through The Cherry Orchard at Greenstone TV, making Much Ado About Nothing and is still Waiting for Godot.
Andrew Ford
Qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1996 with accounting experience dating back to 1986 with News International in London. Prior to that he came from a farming background near Tikitiki, East Cape with a 1980 Diploma in Agriculture from Lincoln University! However he obtained a Bachelor of Commerce at Auckland University in 1995. I started out life as a Shepherd, became a Farm manager. After a few years overseas, went back to university (Auckland) for a change of career. Now residing on Waiheke for the last 15 or more years. Our two sons mostly grew up here and now I enjoy giving back to Waiheke.
Cathy Downes
I've been a professional actor, director and playwright all my working life, based mostly in NZ, with a decade or so in London, Amsterdam and Sydney. I was Artistic Director of The Court Theatre in Christchurch and Downstage Theatre in Wellington over 8 years and am a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for my services to the Arts. Since moving to Waiheke 11 years ago I am freelancing as an actor and as well as serving as a member of the Artworks Theatre Board, have returned to another creative passion - painting.
Jeanine Clarkin
Clarkin comes from a fashion and costume background. Spending much of her childhood frolicking in the wool sack rag bags playing dress ups at her parents recycling centre in Taupo to escape the humdrum of everyday life and her 8 siblings. Her first real interaction with major theatre was while studying in fashion in Wellington and her exposure to Toi Whakaari NZ Drama School, an interest and whanau network that has kept her interest up over the years. As a board member Jeanine serves the community drawing on whanaungatanga (relationships) in Maori Theatre, relevant local NZ stories and encouraging youth.
Wendy Kendal
From a young age Wendy Kendal has always had performing arts as a key part of her life. From the age of 10 years, she started Jazz dance classes at The Julie Cotter Dance School. This progressed into her performing professionally as a dancer at functions, fashion shows and community events. At the age of 22, Wendy ran away with the circus, touring throughout Indonesia as an elephant rider. Once Wendy became a mother and moved to Waiheke Island, in 2002 she decided to start up a dance school called “Popdance” in order to fill a niche. After 6 years, the school transformed into ‘Waiheke Island Students Performance Arts’, as her daughter and various other young artists used the school to teach classes of their own. Wendy has also been largely involved in ‘Otherworlds’ costume hire, housing a huge variety of props and costumes for the community to utlise. She has joined the board to share her life experience and provide a connection between the various arts groups on the island.
Jemma Peterson
Jemma’s career started organising complex travel itineraries for Air New Zealand's elite high-flyers. On the side was a leader of the Social Club, organising cabaret and burlesque-themed Christmas parties. This lead her naturally into Event Management with Wild On Waiheke, organising corporate and private events to include travel, dining, team-building and entertainment experiences since 2014. Outside of work, you could find Jemma on or behind the stage assisting local music events & shows at Artworks Theatre. What started as a hobby soon became a strong passion and since 2018 she has been a part of the Theatre's team in varying roles from Bar to General management. Jemma loves helping provide a platform for local and professional artists to express themselves and their work ranging from comedy, plays, concerts and festivals, whilst taking the audiences along for the journey. "Artworks Theatre is a treat to the local and wider Community providing quality entertainment for everyone involved!"
Kashmir Postel
Performing arts has always been at the centre of Kashmir’s life with polynesian dance as her first artistic expression at the age of six years old. From there Kashmir went onto studying dance and drama after school. Victoria University is Wellington is where she fell in love with theatre in a new light! It became a medium for communicating hope, values and love into the community. Kashmir went on to tour an annual puppet show around Indonesian schools, educating children about plastic and sustainability. 4 years later Kashmir now spends her time on Waiheke, helping our community theatre to grow and blossom! She loves working in the theatre as she gets to help people discover their potential and guides them to create the best possible show or event.
Sam Downes
Samuel Downes trained as an actor and theatre technician at Hagley Theatre Company in Christchurch, New Zealand in 2003-2004 and continued his training at Toi Whakaari Performance and Technology Course in Wellington, 2005, plus MAINZ in 2011 and The NZ Film School in 2012. Sam's job descriptions in Professional and Community theatres over more than a decade in Wellington, Christchurch, a New Zealand tour and more recently Waiheke, have ranged from light and sound design, rigging and operating lights and sound to set construction, technical assistance and backstage work, bar and hospitality, and as an actor. In 2007 Sam relocated to Waiheke and since 2017 has been House Technician at Artworks Theatre.
Emily Birt
Upon entering our theatre you will be greeted with a smile and offer of refreshment from our friendly café/bar staff. Emily Birt is the manager of this space. Being born and raised on Waiheke Island has nurtured a strong sense of community and appreciation for the high quality of fresh food and wine produced on the island. With this in mind she has whole-heartedly encouraged the ethos of supporting local suppliers wherever possible, and including organic and vegan options on our menu. Emily has had a lifetime love for the creative arts, she expresses herself using a range of mediums, such as painting, wood carving / pyrography and various styles of dance. Emily has fond memories of performing as a child in the Kaleidoscope dance productions at Artworks theatre which is one of the reasons why she loves being part of the team that facilitates a warm, welcoming and safe space for others to participate in the magic of creativity.