Waiata Theatre Productions
We produce big Broadway-style shows in intimate venues with small budgets and huge impacts.
About us
Waiata Theatre Productions is the brainchild of Bruce Potter and Duncan Anderson who saw the need for a musical theatre company that could produce big Broadway style musicals in a small intimate space. There were no other local musical organisations interested in taking on these large projects and so the stage was set.
We knew we had to adapt to the new theatre environment post-pandemic, moving away from huge venues with fewer shows to smaller, intimate venues and more shows. Doing things this way means our audience will have a much better experience (by being up close to the action), and it also gives our actors a chance to perform more and develop as performers.
We produce a big show every two years, our most recent show being The Hunchback of Notre Dame. In the year between our big productions, we put on concerts and variety shows to keep our people involved in theatre and to fundraise for our next big show.
Auditions are now open for The Pirates of Penzance: The Modern Version.
Inclusivity and connection
We have a much longer overall rehearsing period (compared to other shows), which substantially reduces the number of rehearsals needed each week. This makes travelling distances to do shows much more doable, allowing us to be inclusive to theatre performers across Otago and Southland.
The more extended rehearsal period also means that our cast and crew have the time to get comfortable and form bonds with each other, very much creating a ‘theatre family’ environment.
With how we do things, it’s been a bonus that we have become a sort of ‘hub’ to connect people from local theatre groups around the lower South Island. We see this as a fantastic opportunity to collaborate with other groups and strengthen the relationships so that we can all support each other.
Fostering growth and development
At Waiata, we do things a little differently. Our alternates are guaranteed two shows as the lead role, allowing them the opportunity to grow and develop where they otherwise would have never had the chance to perform their dream role.
Our Company Directors
BRUCE POTTER
Bruce Potter has performed multiple lead roles around New Zealand including 77 performances as Valjean in Les Miserables with four different Musical Theatre companies from Auckland to Southland. He has performed as a high tenor as Jesus ( with two musical theatre companies) in Jesus Christ Superstar to a Basso Profundo in Jesus Christ Superstar as Caiaphas or as the Mikado in The Mikado.
Bruce has also been involved with the orchestra playing the cello in a number of orchestras including the Pietermaritzburg Philharmonic Orchestra. He has been the Musical Director for almost twenty shows including the big ones such as Les Miserables, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Jesus Christ Superstar and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum to name just a few.
He Directed and Musical Directed Waiata Theatre’s production of The Mikado. Bruce is also an author and illustrator of children’s books having illustrated over 140 books and is a multi-international award winning illustrator. He has toured over 350 schools and retirement villages performing his one man show over 650 times across New Zealand.
Bruce is also an OSTA Winner for The Best Male Lead in a Musical for his performance as Valjean in Les Miserables.
DUNCAN ANDERSON
Thank you to Morgan Potter for all the hard work setting up and building the Waiata Theatre Productions Web Site.
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