Join Our Team

Calling all Tagata Moana Producers across Aotearoa! 

We are so thrilled to announce the first Tāmaki Makaurau version of the ‘Pacific Producer Residency’ (CHEEEHEEE!!). Co-designed under the Creative New Zealand Pacific Arts Strategy in partnership with Basement Theatre.

This is a paid offering for a Mid-Career Pasifika Producer to join our vaka and journey alongside us. This is a full-time, 2-month residency from September 1st to October 31st, 2025

We’re looking for an individual that is already making waves, disrupting spaces, and is grounded in Mana Pasifika values. Someone that is unapologetically themselves, who walks with the spirit of their community and is committed to the growth of Pasifika practitioners within the Performing Arts industry of Aotearoa.

If you feel the call, answer it - we want to hear from you! Applications close 5pm, Thursday July 24

The Basement whānau is excited to share that our newest residency programme is now open for applications. The Pacific Producer Residency is a new offering co-designed under Creative New Zealand’s Pacific Arts Strategy in partnership with Basement Theatre. This is an intentional and unique offering for a Mid-Career Pasifika Producer to join our vaka and journey alongside us. It is an opportunity for a working Producer to be embedded with the Basement Theatre for two months, while working on their existing projects, and developing new networks, skills, and knowledge.  This initiative is a pilot designed to address a gap in the Performing Arts industry and the clear need for more Pacific Producers who can produce national and international works of scale.

Basement Theatre is a live performance venue in the central business district of Tāmaki Makaurau, established in 2008, known for being an important gateway into the industry for artists, and arts administrators. We occupy the artistic underground and value the idea of pushing culture forward through brave, urgent and adventurous artistry. We are known for our commitment to platforming, developing and supporting emerging artists, and are a cornerstone organisation within the sector. We are a not-for-profit organisation, and receive funding from Creative New Zealand, Foundation North and Auckland Council. 

Duration: This is a full-time, 2-month residency from September 1st to October 31st, 2025

Location: Hybrid - Basement HQ (1/323 Queen St) and Basement Theatre in Tāmaki Makaurau, and some remote work as projects require. 

Fee: This is a paid opportunity and comes with a stipend of $12,000 NZD. It also includes logistics fees to cover relocation costs to Auckland, accommodation for 2 months, ground transportation, mentorship fee, and a budget towards any proposed Pacific Arts Engagement or Mealofa.

If you are the successful candidate, Basement will actively work with you to meet your access requirements if you have them. If you have any concerns regarding access needs, either within the residency or applying for the residency, please get in touch.

Eligibility

For this residency, the successful candidate will be a mid-career Pasifika producer with an existing body of work behind them, who is looking to continue developing their skills and networks. The ideal candidate will:

• Have produced or led at least five works in Aotearoa

• Have produced or led at least one work internationally, either in partnership with an international presenter or touring a work from Aotearoa overseas.

• Have active projects on the go, and is looking for time and space to continue working on them

• Have big energy, bold ideas, and an openness to embrace the va this learning space can offer

• Centre Manaakitanga within their practice and ensure that artist and audience care is a core part of their work aligning with Basement’s own Kaupapa.

• Be an active participant within Aotearoa’s Pasifika arts communities and be of Pacific heritage themselves.

If you feel you do not meet the above criteria, please feel free to get in touch with us regardless - While this may not be the opportunity for you, we always want to meet the people in our community who are making work and looking to grow their careers. 

Basement Theatre holds a strong kaupapa rooted in cultural and community safety in the arts, as well as advocacy and equity for our artists. You can read more about us, and our kaupapa, here.

To submit your interest, please email a cover letter, along with your resume or CV in any format that is accessible to you (i.e. written, video, or audio) to our General Manager, izzy@basementtheatre.co.nz by 5pm, Thursday 24th July. We are also happy to respond to questions at this same address. Applications will be assessed by a talanoa panel of Pasifika arts leaders and practitioners. 

We are always looking for enthusiastic and friendly volunteers to usher shows all year round.

No experience is necessary, only a friendly attitude and a desire to see theatre and be involved at Basement Theatre. The pros of course are that you get to see shows for free! And get to experience the inner workings of Auckland’s most humming theatre. Our ushers also receive a free drink at the bar after they have completed their ushering shift.

Volunteers ushers simply sign up for shows that work around their schedule. 

If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer usher at Basement Theatre, please email info@basementtheatre.co.nz for further information and to be added to our volunteer usher database.