Family Friendly | Aotearoa Premiere | Hearing Assistive Technology Available
Join World of WearableArt Founder & Ambassador Dame Suzie Moncrieff, Show Director Malia Johnston and award-winning designer Gill Saunders for an entertaining evening of memories.
As part of our 30th birthday celebration, we’re thrilled to go back to where the Festival started: alongside WOW!
Since it was established in 1987, World of WearableArts has embraced the worlds of art and design, running an international competition that culminates in a spectacular theatrical performance each year. The exhilarating WOW Show is a visual feast for audiences and an opportunity for designers to be recognised and celebrated on the world stage. And we have WOW’s founder Dame Suzie Moncrieff to thank for the birth of our festival as well - the inaugural Nelson Arts Festival, in its current form, took place in 1995, envisioned as a wrap-around event for WOW and to encourage visitors to the region to stay longer.
“WOW rewards the curious, the courageous and those who are passionate enough to stand in the face of self-doubt and embrace creativity no matter the cost,” says Dame Suzie.
As the closing event of our 30th festival, we look forward to taking a look behind the scenes of the WOW phenomenon. Please join us for an entertaining kōrero with Dame Suzie, show director Malia Johnston and 2023 Supreme Award Winner and Whakatū-local Gill Saunders.
Image Credit: Gill Saunders, Earthling, photographed at the 2023 WOW Show, BEYOND.
Join nanotechnologist Dr Michelle Dickinson MNZM for a fascinating journey into the incredible world of nanotechnology. In this family-friendly science lecture, Dr Dickinson will explain how the manipulation of matter at the molecular level - a tiny world only visible under the most powerful microscopes - is leading to incredible technological advances.
Suitable for ages 8 and over. Bring your curiosity out for an evening of fascinating conversation, exploring the world of the tiny with one of the world’s leading researchers and communicators in this field.
Dr Michelle Dickinson is a nanotechnologist, technologist and an educator. Winner of the Prime Minister’s Science Communication Prize and the Royal Society of New Zealand’s prestigious Callaghan medal, Dr Dickinson has dedicated her life to making the latest advances in science and technology accessible for everyone. Her accessible style and interactive presentations captivate audiences of all ages around the world - don’t miss this one night only presentation at Nelson’s Theatre Royal.
Everybody is invited to step behind the scenes at our Open Day.
The Theatre Royal Open Day is a wonderful opportunity to explore this beautiful historic building. You can learn a little about how a theatre works, understand what is involved to make a production come to life, and check out some of the technical operating systems, including the fly tower. Those who want to take their turn in the limelight can experience the view that actors have from the stage.
There is no need to book for the Open Day, just come along to the Theatre Royal Nelson on Sunday 22 September, between 11am and 2pm, and join in the FREE fun for the whole family.
PechaKucha Nelson and the Theatre Royal bring you an informative and entertaining evening of presentations from a range of speakers with a Tuku 24 flavour.
PechaKucha (Japanese term for "chit-chat") is a storytelling format where presenters show 20 slides for 20 seconds each. It is non-stop, with each presenter having 400 seconds to tell their story, keeping it concise and fast-paced.
For this event, customers can pick their price. However, the $5 allocation has been used up.
On the few days that the Theatre Royal is not in use, we can take small groups on a tour around the building.
Learn about the history and the major refurbishment, look at 19th century artefacts, and see the technical side of the theatre, with backstage and on stage access.
Please note, there are quite a few stairs to negotiate.
Maximum 10 people.
Additional tour dates will be added.
Alternative days may be available upon request.
All crew courses are held backstage. Go to the stage door at the back of the theatre, accessed from Vanguard Street or through the carpark beside Advantage Tyres.
FLY TOWER INDUCTION
Discover the world above the stage at the Theatre Royal and our region’s only counterweight fly-tower rigging system!
Led by our venue Technical Manager, this course offers a deep dive into the mechanics, uses, and limitations of the Fly-Tower System. Everything above our stage, from lighting electrics to drapery and scenery, is suspended from this system. Gain an in-depth understanding and hands-on training in its correct and safe operation, ensuring you can confidently contribute as a certified fly operator.
Safety is paramount, and as a professional performance venue, we take our responsibility seriously. The Fly-Tower System, our most crucial yet potentially hazardous equipment, is operated exclusively by certified personnel. Join us to become a trained fly operator, venue-certified to handle live local productions and collaborate with our venue staff during pack-ins and outs.
TECHNICIAN INDUCTION
Dive into the world Behind the Curtain: become a Backstage Technician! Unleash your passion for live productions by joining our backstage crew courses at the Theatre Royal.
Led by our seasoned Technical Manager, these courses provide a swift yet comprehensive introduction to our lighting, sound and intricate cabling systems that help bring performances to life. Embark on a captivating backstage tour, gain hands-on experience rigging lights and delve into the safe practices that govern the seamless operation of our diverse technical systems.
Participants acquire valuable insights into the inner workings of the Theatre Royal and receive a take-home resource. Plus, with venue certification, attendants over 13 are set to actively contribute to community productions for the next 12 months. Don't just witness the magic – become a part of it!
Theatre Royal Crew Inductions are available to people of any age as a learning experience. Attendants must meet the minimum (at the time of training) and display the expected attitude and conduct to be granted venue certification.
COMBINED REFRESHER
Brush up with a combined refresher course designed for past attendants of our technician and fly operator inductions. Led by our expert Technical and Venue Managers, we merge insights into the inner workings of the lighting and technical systems and an in-depth review of the Fly-Tower System.
What to Expect:
Don't miss this opportunity to refine your skills and renew your passion for life behind the scenes.
The following courses are being repeated Mon 10 - Wed 12 June.
FLY TOWER INDUCTION
Discover the world above the stage at the Theatre Royal and our region’s only counterweight fly-tower rigging system!
Led by our venue Technical Manager, this course offers a deep dive into the mechanics, uses, and limitations of the Fly-Tower System. Everything above our stage, from lighting electrics to drapery and scenery, is suspended from this system. Gain an in-depth understanding and hands-on training in its correct and safe operation, ensuring you can confidently contribute as a certified fly operator.
Safety is paramount, and as a professional performance venue, we take our responsibility seriously. The Fly-Tower System, our most crucial yet potentially hazardous equipment, is operated exclusively by certified personnel. Join us to become a trained fly operator, venue-certified to handle live local productions and collaborate with our venue staff during pack-ins and outs.
TECHNICIAN INDUCTION
Dive into the world Behind the Curtain: become a Backstage Technician! Unleash your passion for live productions by joining our backstage crew courses at the Theatre Royal.
Led by our seasoned Technical Manager, these courses provide a swift yet comprehensive introduction to our lighting, sound and intricate cabling systems that help bring performances to life. Embark on a captivating backstage tour, gain hands-on experience rigging lights and delve into the safe practices that govern the seamless operation of our diverse technical systems.
Participants acquire valuable insights into the inner workings of the Theatre Royal and receive a take-home resource. Plus, with venue certification, attendants over 13 are set to actively contribute to community productions for the next 12 months. Don't just witness the magic – become a part of it!
Theatre Royal Crew Inductions are available to people of any age as a learning experience. Attendants must meet the minimum (at the time of training) and display the expected attitude and conduct to be granted venue certification.
COMBINED REFRESHER
Brush up with a combined refresher course designed for past attendants of our technician and fly operator inductions. Led by our expert Technical and Venue Managers, we merge insights into the inner workings of the lighting and technical systems and an in-depth review of the Fly-Tower System.
What to Expect:
Don't miss this opportunity to refine your skills and renew your passion for life behind the scenes.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Witi Ihimaera’s Tangi, the first novel written by a Māori author to be published in New Zealand. Join Witi and six fellow Māori writers at this special gala event to celebrate Aotearoa storytelling: Emma Espiner (MC), Vaughan Rapatahana, Ruby Solly, Donna McLeod, Arihia Latham and Airana Ngarewa.
To mark the 50th anniversary of the first Māori novel to be published in New Zealand, and to commemorate Witi’s contribution to Aotearoa literature, Penguin Books NZ will publish two new anthologies of Māori writing this year: Te Awa o Kupu and Ngā Kupu Wero. These two passionate and vibrant anthologies, which have been edited by Witi, Vaughan Rapatahana and Kiri Piahana-Wong, feature more than 80 contemporary Māori writers.
It all started 50 years ago when Witi’s debut novel, Tangi, was published. A landmark literary event, it went on to win the James Wattie Book of the Year Award. Witi was just 29 years old at the time. Revisiting the text for this special anniversary edition, Witi has added richer details and developed the nascent themes that have continued to preoccupy him over a lifetime of writing. As part of the 50-year celebration, Penguin Books NZ has also re-released Witi's first book, the short story collection, Pounamu, Pounamu (first published in 1972).
At this special event, Emma Espiner will facilitate a kōrero with Witi and Vaughan about Māori storytelling’s upsurge in New Zealand literature, interspersed with performances by some of the contributors to the two anthologies: Emma herself, Arihia Latham, Donna McLeod, Airana Ngarewa and Ruby Solly.
All pukapuka will be for sale through the Festival bookstore Paper Plus Nelson, both at their shop and at their stall at Pukapuka Talks sessions - your opportunity to meet authors and get your books signed! You can also purchase books from Paper Plus online.
Presented by: Go Media
Everybody is invited to step behind the scenes at our Open Day.
The Theatre Royal Open Day is a wonderful opportunity to explore this beautiful historic building. You can learn a little about how a theatre works, understand what is involved to make a production come to life, and check out some of the technical operating systems, including the fly tower.
Those who want to take their turn in the limelight can experience the view that actors have from the stage. There will be the opportunity to dress up and make use of a dressing room photobooth. Post on social media to be in to win tickets to future shows!
There will also the chance to try our Hearing Assistance system. Then enables people with hearing difficulties to hear everything that runs through our PA system. Sound is transmitted via WIFI through an app, directly to hearing aids or to headphones. You can try it by downloading the free app on your smartphone. You will be able to hear what others can't!
There is no need to book for the Open Day, just come along to the Theatre Royal Nelson on Sunday 10 September, between 11am and 2pm, and join in the FREE fun for the whole family.
As a professional performance venue, we have a responsibility to maintain a safe working environment for our cast, crew and audience. Our Crew Training Initiative is an annual certification scheme that introduces and maintains local crew members' knowledge and skills to ensure backstage activities are carried out to in-house protocols and industry safe working practices.
People working as Fly Operators or Technicians are required to maintain their training in order to work in the building.
