Upcoming 2026 Panels 

April
"Caring for Our Company: Trauma Awareness in Theatre Communities"
🎭 Panelists:  Karen Arada   | Sonya Aifai

📅 Date: Tuesday 28 April 2026
🕢 Time: 7:30pm – 9:00pm (NZT)
📍 Online via Zoom (link provided upon registration)

  How can theatre communities better support their performers when challenging or traumatic moments arise—both within the rehearsal room and through the stories we tell on stage? This MTNZ April Online Experts Panel explores practical, compassionate approaches to recognising and responding to trauma, navigating potentially triggering material, and fostering safe, supportive environments for all. Join us for an important conversation on care, communication, and collective responsibility in our theatre spaces.  

 

May
“Te Reo, Te Ao, Te Oro: Crafting a Musical Theatre Style for Aotearoa”  
What is Aotearoa's Musical Theatre sound?
 

 

PAST PANELS

Marketing Best Practice
Panelists:Sharron Parodoe and Doug Kamo

How Do We Select Our Shows?
Panelists:Craig Ogilvie, Jeremy Sparrow and Hamish Mouat

Budgeting with Anne Douglas, Community Waikato

Prepping for Tech Week through a Diversity Lens -
Panelists:Kate Martin-Booker

Funding - How to Best Share Your Story -
Panelists:Cassandra Wilson - CNZ; Dr. Jeremy Mayall - Creative Waikato

Children in the Theatre Space - Care, Safety and Wellbeing - Sonya Aifai and Steve Lloyd
Panelists:

Kōrero with our Rights Holders - Online Forum - Play Bureau, Playmarket, APRA AMCOS/OneMusic NZ, David Spicer Productions, MTI Australasia and ORiGiN Theatrical

"Making Safe Spaces to Create" 
Facilitated by: Joshua Downs
Panelists: Karen Ruske | Darrel Nitschke | Chelsea Sheehan-Gaiger

“Safe, Seen & Supported: Rainbow Inclusion in Community Theatre” Creating safe, supportive spaces for all LGBTIA+ Facilitated by: Bobby Mihi-Howard 
Panelists: Mel Martin-Booker | Lance Ainofo | Kelly McBane