Auckland has a brand new theatre! In February 2020, the Covert Theatre will be opening its doors at 51 Mackelvie Street, Ponsonby.
The Covert Theatre originally opened in K’ Road in 2001 and closed its doors in 2005. It has been hiring venues all over Auckland for the last 15 years and now once again has a home. The Covert Theatre’s purpose is to enhance human connection through play. It’s a creative community and a place of belonging where people can connect in a meaningful way all while making people laugh.
Improv teaches life skills and the goal is to create more creative, confident kids and adults by teaching them vital life skills through play and to bring more fun and vibrancy into the community. The theatre already has over 70 members and is launching its Improv School, where it’ll teach leadership and creativity programs for kids using improv plus run community programs for adults.
It's a breeding ground for NZ talent that will launch the careers of our future comedians, actors, directors, and creatives. It offers a pathway from grass roots to tall shoots with weekly shows from improv rookies to its flagship show The Improv Bandits.
The Covert Theatre is powered by the Yes And Trust, a registered charitable trust. While it creates its own income to survive it relies on the generosity of the community to thrive – and wow, has the community been generous!
The Covert Theatre has been supported by many businesses - all the Paint (Dulux), Wood (Red stag timber), Coffee machine (Jack’s coffee), Print (Presentations), T Shirts (A2 Colour), Insulation and sound proofing (InZone Industries), Air conditioning unit (TemperZone), Bathroom fit out (Plumbing world), Flooring (Forbo), Bar fridge (Asahi Beers), Scissor lift for the building (Hirepool), Fire system (Argus), Signs (Sign It Signs) and Lighting (Inlite) has been sponsored. Why? Because these companies want to be a part of something special!
The Covert Theatre is launching the inaugural Auckland Improv Festival in April 2020 with international guest teachers already booked to teach and perform. It will be showcasing a number of shows during the NZ International Comedy Festival and Colin Mochrie, star of Whose Line Is It Anyway? is keen to return to NZ after performing with The Improv Bandits in 2017.
“We’re so excited to have our own home again,” says Wade Jackson, founder of the Covert Theatre and chair of the Yes And Trust. “Improv is going through a revival globally; there’s even an improv show on Broadway running right now. One of the main reasons for this is I believe in this digital age, people are wanting more and more genuine connection and the essence of improv is connection. People are wanting what improv offers. – fun, playfulness, connection, and joy. ”
The fun begins in February! For more information contact: comedy@coverttheatre.com,
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