Bonfire
Created and directed by Matías Avaca
Bonfire is an intimate storytelling ritual where performers gather around the fire to share tales shaped by culture, memory, and imagination. Rooted in ancestral echoes, each story is poetic, powerful, and fleeting; never to be told the same way twice.
Inspired by the workshop The Stories That Made Us, the show blends magical realism, oral tradition, and ensemble connection.
With previous presentations in Auckland and Brisbane (as part of the 2025 Brisbane Improv Festival), Bonfire now arrives at the New Zealand Improv Festival, inviting audiences into a space of warmth, wonder, and shared humanity.
About the Director
Matías Avaca, an Argentinian improviser based in New Zealand since 2016, is the co-founder of Mabel Impro and the Auckland Improv Festival. His style emphasises the universality of improv, transcending linguistic and cultural boundaries.
Matías is also a driving force behind Laenye Productions, a performing arts production company based in Auckland, dedicated to promoting Spanish-speaking artists and fostering appreciation for Spanish and Latin American culture, art, and languages.
Matías's influence extends globally, coaching theatre ensembles and shaping improv theatre formats across over 15 countries, further solidifying his impact on the international Improv community.
Content Warning
This show may include content related to family, identity, cultural heritage, and emotional themes. While performers are encouraged to approach these with care and sensitivity, the improvised nature of the show means themes may vary each night. The show may contain voluntary audience interaction, such as giving a suggestion for a scene.
Image description: People sit in a circle, bathed in warm light that evokes a fire. The scene feels intimate, reflective, and story-driven.
