Hatch Showcase
Presented by TAHI with students from Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, and Whitireia and WelTec.
A firm TAHI favourite, HATCH returns to celebrate our next generation of solo theatre-makers. Discover tomorrow’s theatre-makers today as the HATCH emerging artists programme culminates in this vibrant student showcase of fresh faces and ideas!
Recommended 16+. Contains mature themes, flashing lights and coarse language.
A love story
Written and performed by Alex Begbie
Oliver and Ruby have known each other for years. Now, Oliver is finally ready to share their story with the world. But every story has more than one side, and not every memory is shared the same way.
ABOUT ALEX
Alex Begbie is an actor and scriptwriter based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, with a passion for dark, character-driven storytelling. A graduate of Whitireia with a New Zealand Diploma in Drama, Alex has appeared in numerous stage productions and short films and is currently completing a Bachelor of Creativity.
God Save the Clown
Written and performed by William Haywood (Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Ngāti Porou)
An introverted jester prepares for his biggest gig yet: being the court jester for The King, the first one since 1728.
ABOUT WILLIAM
William Haywood (Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Ngāti Porou) is a Wellington-based actor, writer and filmmaker studying at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington. His work blends absurdity, satire and character-driven storytelling, using humour to explore thoughtful themes.
Everything Alive
Written and performed by Hera Yemaya (Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Raukawa ki Matamata, Ngāti Hinerangi, Yurumein, Barbados, Nigeria)
Everything alive hums… so what can you hear?
ABOUT HERA
Hera Yemaya (Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Raukawa ki Matamata, Ngāti Hinerangi, Yurumein, Barbados, Nigeria) is an emerging actor, writer, theatre-maker and musician based in Pōneke, currently training at Toi Whakaari. Passionate about collaboration and authentic storytelling, Hera’s work celebrates joy while creating space for young queer and BIPOC voices.
Get Ready With Me!
Written and performed by Majenta Grant (Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa)
Hey, Besties! Come get ready with me for my Nan’s tangi! We’re doing soft glam, finding the perfect funeral fit, and a few #blessed sponsorships. Because if you didn’t film it… did it even happen?
ABOUT MAJENTA
Majenta Grant (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa) is an emerging performer and theatre-maker currently training at Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School. Her work explores identity through an Indigenous lens, creating embodied, visceral stories that are both human and thought-provoking.
You
Written and performed by Andy Lester
This show is the penultimate step of an elaborate plan to bring about a fateful confrontation between actor and one very special audience member. You know who you are.
ABOUT ANDY
Andy Lester is a Pōneke-based theatre-maker and tauira at Te Herenga Waka studying Theatre, Physics and Statistics. Following performances at CubaDupa and NZ Fringe, HATCH marks the debut of Andy’s distinctive multidisciplinary creative voice.
Matcha do about nothing
Written and performed by Carys Chapman-Vari
How do you order your coffee? Through the eyes of a hospo worker, this story explores the impact of our everyday interactions, and what happens when kindness takes a back seat.
ABOUT CARYS
Carys Chapman-Vari is an actor, dancer and choreographer from Rotorua completing a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington. Passionate about developing new work, she hopes to expand her practice into scriptwriting, directing and producing.
Thank you to Wellington City Council for continued support of HATCH.
