MTNZ Theatre Leadership Programme
Overview:
The MTNZ Theatre Leadership Programme is a six-month online initiative designed to build capability in New Zealand’s community musical theatre sector. Across two specialist streams—Producing the Process (Production Management) and Shaping the Story (Directing)—participants engage in six focused 90-minute sessions, each with time for discussion and Q&A, supporting confident and effective theatre leadership across Aotearoa.
Details:
Sessions will be hosted online - once per month from Feburary 2026.
Registrants receive: the schedule of workshops, a zoom link for the online workshops, digital versions of any discussed MTNZ online guidelines/template policies and recorded copies of the course sessions for reference (or if unable to attend a session).
Cost: $80 individual member; $150 non-member (Join MTNZ as an individual member for free HERE)
Register: HERE
Producing the Process
Production Management Stream with Steve Lloyd
A Production Manager is central to the successful delivery of a theatrical production, overseeing the planning, coordination, and logistics that bring a show to life. Working closely with the director, designers, stage management, and technical teams, they manage schedules, budgets, resources, and communication from pre-production through to closing night. Through strong organisation and problem-solving, the Production Manager ensures creative vision is realised efficiently, safely, and to a high professional standard.
Participants will unpack the following topics:
Session 1: The Role of the Production Manager – More Than a Coordinator
Session 2: Budgeting, Scheduling, and Resource Management
Session 3: Contracts, Compliance, and Health & Safety
Session 4: Communication, People Management, and Crisis Handling
Session 5: Production Handover, Tech, and Opening the Show
Session 6: Take Outs and Hot Topics
Find the full course module overview HERE
A bit on the facilitator:
Steve Lloyd has over forty years of musical theatre in his blood starting onstage as part of local gang shows, through to school productions and is now the Production Manager for multiple consortium shows with New Plymouth Operatic Society.
Steve has been involved in over 121 musical theatre productions and has worked with Auckland, Wellington and Taranaki societies in NZ; as well as societies in Sydney and Melbourne.
He has been both onstage and offstage mainly focused on areas of technical design and operation as well as stage management and production management.
More recently Steve has been heavily involved in the development of materials and coaching around Health and Safety with a specific focus around impacts to Volunteer organisations.
Steve has supported the MTNZ executive team with health and safety advice for five years and is always keen to help any musical theatre society who is seeking clarification on legislation and obligations.
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Shaping the Story
Directing Stream with Glen Pickering
Shaping the Story puts you at the heart of a production’s creative vision.
Directors guide the artistic journey, working closely with performers, designers, and production teams to bring the script to life on stage.
From interpreting the story to shaping performances, pacing, and stagecraft, directors ensure the production communicates its vision clearly, cohesively, and memorably to audiences.
Participants will unpack the following topics:
Session 1: Creativity and Storytelling
Session 2: Script & Score Analysis and Concept Development
Session 3: The Production Process
Session 4: The Rehearsal Process
Session 5: Auditions and Actor Direction
Session 6: Leadership, Collaboration, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Find the full course module overview HERE
A bit on the facilitator:
Glen Pickering has built an extensive career in New Zealand theatre as a director, actor and arts leader. Trained as an actor, Glen has worked with leading theatre companies including Auckland Theatre Company, Silo Theatre, Centrepoint Theatre, The Large Group, and alongside many of Aotearoa’s most respected actors and directors.
In 2007, after training with Raymond Hawthorne, Glen transitioned into directing and has since directed more than 25 full productions for theatre companies across the country.
From 2008 to 2011 he served as Artistic Director of the National Youth Theatre Company, playing a key role in developing emerging talent.
In 2012, Glen was awarded Best Director at the Short+Sweet Play Festival.
His directing credits include Hair, The Full Monty, Little Shop of Horrors, Anything Goes, and most recently Jersey Boys for Napier Operatic Society. Glen has also worked with New Zealand Opera, led major events such as the World Buskers Festival and Art Deco Festival, and since 2019 has overseen programming at Toitoi Hawke’s Bay Arts and Events Centre.
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