"making theatre accessible"

About Aranui Theatre Company

Aranui Theatre Company is the brainchild of Robert Gilbert, Head of Drama and Academy Director at Christchurch’s Aranui High School.

Over the years, Aranui High School’s drama productions have become synonymous with excellence and innovation, gaining nationwide acclaim. Under Robert’s direction, Aranui productions have won national honours at the prestigious Sheilah Winn Festival of Shakespeare in Schools, and swept the awards against all-comers in The New Zealand Theatre Federation Festival of Community Theatre. Additionally, they have won Best Overall Production at the International Theatre Festival in Norfolk Island, where Robert was further honoured with the award for Best Director for his spellbinding interpretation of Romeo and Juliet.

Aranui Theatre Company provides a career pathway for top graduate students from the famous Aranui Theatre Academy. Robert Gilbert directs, tutors, and mentors his actors so that your school can be assured of the very highest possible standard of production.

Last year, Aranui Theatre Company travelled over 24,500 kms visiting schools throughout the country, entertaining more than 22,000 school pupils. We know that this year’s plays will entertain and educate as they have been carefully crafted to complement the New Zealand Arts Curriculum.