Auckland’s Q Theatre has announced the next round of successful productions selected for its Q Season Support (QSS) initiative, with nine independent productions set to take the stage between July 2026 and June 2027.
Designed to support the development and presentation of ambitious local performance work, the QSS initiative provides independent artists and producers with access to venue support, technical resources, marketing assistance, and performance opportunities at one of Aotearoa’s leading contemporary performing arts venues.
The newly announced season follows two successful productions from the first QSS round — Captain Morrow and Sands of Time presented by Figment Productions in August 2025, and BEAST & HOMIES presented by BEAST Dance Company in June 2026.
The 2026–2027 QSS season includes a diverse line-up of theatre, dance, comedy, and contemporary performance works from established and emerging creatives across Aotearoa.
Head of Programming and Production, Phil Evans says the initiative is in response to the need for affordability from artists to be able to access venues.
“Cost and risk often are a barrier to artists, and with Q Season Support we are aiming to create an affordable offer to artists to showcase their developed works. A developed show could have a two week run in Loft at no cost, with the artists also taking 80% of the box office. With this latest round of funding there is the possibility of nine seasons and over 70 performances!”
This initiative also supports works from outside Tāmaki - extending the life cycle of already developed works that have had runs elsewhere in Aotearoa.
Highlights from the winter season (July–August 2026) include:
- Sharp Teeth — Lara Makes Ltd
- Over and Out — Believable Arts Management (Previous Wellington season)
- Every Kind of Weather presented by Shane Bosher and Brilliant Adventures, featuring two productions from acclaimed playwright Bruce Mason:
- The End of the Golden Weather
- Not Christmas but Guy Fawkes
- An Enemy of the People — Flyleaf Theatre Company
Additional productions selected as part of the QSS programme are:
- Songs for Nobodies — Figment Productions
- Yes and also no, subject to XYZ, fine print applies — Holly Finch
- The Lord of the Rings in 90 Minutes — Rollicking Entertainment (Previous Christchurch season)
- With two additional productions selected subject to funding.
Q Theatre’s Q Season Support initiative was established to help strengthen the sustainability of independent performing arts in Aotearoa by reducing barriers for artists and creating pathways for innovative local work to reach audiences and is possible thanks to $140K funding from Auckland Council and Creative New Zealand.
More information about the QSS initiative can be found at Q Theatre – Q Season Support.
Current on-sale show information:
- Sharp Teeth
- Over and Out
- An Enemy of the People
- Every Kind of Weather - on sale soon.
