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The Isaac Theatre Royal, The Court Theatre, Showbiz Christchurch, and Christchurch City Libraries are joining forces for an ambitious new initiative that places the Ōtautahi Performing Arts Precinct at the heart of arts education in Aotearoa.
Creative Connections: a two-day pilot programme which launched Tuesday 21st April 2026, will immerse 150 secondary school students in a series of world-class workshops, backstage experiences, and creative activations across multiple Christchurch venues, with a particular focus on students from schools higher on the equity index.
A PRECINCT WORKING TOGETHER
At the heart of Creative Connections is an unprecedented level of collaboration between some of Christchurch’s most iconic cultural institutions. Students will rotate across four distinct experiences over two days:
· A backstage tour of The Saunders and Co season of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory musical with Showbiz Christchurch at the Isaac Theatre Royal, offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at large scale production
· A workshop connected to The Court Theatre’s production of Wahine Mātātoa: The (Mostly) True Story of Erihāpeti Pātahi – celebrating Māori storytelling and wāhine toa. · Workshops with Frantic Assembly, the internationally acclaimed UK physical theatre company. These workshops will be held across both the Isaac Theatre Royal and The Court Theatre.
· Radio play podcasting and 3D set design workshops at the Christchurch City Libraries’ Auahatanga creative space at Tūranga, followed by a screening of Frantic Assembly’s film Touch and a live Q&A with Frantic Assembly practitioners.
INTERNATIONAL EXCELLENCE, LOCAL HEART
The centrepiece of the programme is the involvement of Frantic Assembly, one of the world’s most respected physical theatre companies, based in the United Kingdom. Known for their innovative approach to devising and movement-based performance, Frantic Assembly’s presence in Christchurch represents a significant opportunity for rangatahi to access world-class training without leaving their own city.
Andy Brigden, Head of Programming at the Isaac Theatre Royal and Project Lead for Creative Connections, says:
“Creative Connections is about more than workshops, it’s about showing young people that they can explore pathways into arts careers. When our precinct organisations work together like this, we can offer something truly extraordinary that no single venue could deliver alone.”
Ben O’Brien-Limmer, Education and Engagement Manager at The Court Theatre adds:
“We’re excited to be collaborating with our performing Arts Precinct neighbours and Frantic Assembly on this project, creating a unique opportunity for young people to engage with world-class physical theatre practice while connecting to local storytelling through our work on Wahine Mātātoa”. It’s a powerful way to deepen learning, spark creativity, and strengthen pathways between education and the professional arts sector.”
BUILDING PATHWAYS FOR RANGATAHI
Creative Connections has been designed with equity at its core, prioritising secondary students; particularly Years 11-13 drama students from schools higher on the equity index, and offering subsidised participation to reduce barriers to access.
The programme has been made possible through the generous support of Christchurch City Council’s Place Partnerships Fund and the Mainland Foundation, reflecting a shared commitment to ensuring all young people have access to transformative arts experiences. This commitment to equity is further strengthened through support from Maranga, who are providing transport for participating schools, removing barriers to participation and making the programme even more accessible. The Creative Connections project is strengthened by the participation of Jolt, working as the Isaac Theatre Royal’s company in residence and contributing expertise in inclusive, accessible practice across the sector.
THE BEGINNING OF SOMETHING BIGGER
While the 2026 pilot focuses on secondary students, Creative Connections is designed to grow. The long-term vision is a week-long, multi-disciplinary performing arts festival from 2027 onwards, expanding to include primary and tertiary students, more arts organisations, and disciplines spanning theatre, music, dance, technical theatre and media. “What we’re building here in 2026 is just the beginning,” says Andy Brigden . “The vision is for Creative Connections to become an event on the national arts education calendar and a model for what’s possible when a city’s arts leaders work together.”