Auckland Theatre Company's Youth Company is a pre-professional training programme for emerging theatre artists aged 18-25. We create a supportive environment where young people can develop their practice, explore their artistic voice, and build professional skills.
This is our fifth year of ATC's Youth Company. What started as an experiment in nurturing young theatrical talent has become a rigorous pathway programme for emerging artists ready to take their practice to the next level.
Our Youth Company is a part-time, year-long programme offered free to participants aged 18-25 that lets young people learn in a working theatre, feel comfortable in this space, and train in an environment that acknowledges being an artist takes enormous strength and resilience.
"ATC Youth Arts is a space where you can grow, explore, and play creatively in an environment that fosters community and connection, and values the perspectives and backgrounds that all individuals bring into the space."
— Kalia Regan, 2024 Youth Company member
WHAT IS YOUTH COMPANY?
Youth Company is a part-time, year-long programme offered free to participants aged 18-25. It lets young people learn in a working theatre, feel comfortable in this space, and train in an environment that acknowledges being an artist takes enormous strength and resilience.
Over the course of 2026, twelve participants will work alongside professional theatre artists, contribute to the development of new New Zealand writing, and perform in two major productions: Shakespeare's Macbeth at the ASB Waterfront Theatre and new work at The Basement Theatre.
Youth Company members train weekly throughout the year, building skills in performance, voice, movement, and collaborative creation. You'll work with professional artists, attend ATC productions, and gain an understanding of what it takes to work in professional theatre.
Cost: Absolutely free
PROGRAMME OUTLINE
Youth Company 2026 is a year-long commitment running from March through December, combining weekly training sessions with two major production periods.
STRUCTURE
Weekly Training Sessions
Tuesday evenings, 6:30-9:30pm (March–June)
Mix of Tuesdays and Saturdays, 6:30-9:30pm (September–November)
Performance Season: 28 July – 22 August 2026 (29 performances)
Venue: ASB Waterfront Theatre
Youth Company will be 12 members strong, divided into two ensembles of 6 each. Each ensemble will perform in half of the Macbeth season, allowing you to experience a professional-scale production while maintaining sustainable performance schedules.
Production 2: The Basement Season
Rehearsals & Production: 15-19 November 2026
Performance Season: 20-28 November 2026
Venue: The Basement Theatre
Programme Conclusion
Debrief: Tuesday, 1 December 2026
2026 Schedule
6 22
6
28/07/20 26 28 Jul–22 Aug 2026
25/08/202 6 25–31 Aug 2026
6:30–9:30pm
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6:30–9:30pm
WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
We are looking for twelve young people aged 18-25 who are passionate about theatre and ready to commit to a year of pre-professional training and performance.
Youth Company is designed for emerging artists at the beginning of their theatre journey—not professional actors. We're looking for people who want to develop their practice and build foundational skills in a supportive environment. If you have received vocational training in acting, this programme isn’t for you.
You should:
Be aged 18-25 at the time of application
Be passionate about theatre and committed to developing as an artist
Be available for the full programme
Be based in Auckland for the duration of the programme
We welcome:
All levels of experience—you don't need formal training or professional credits
Artists from all backgrounds, identities, and communities
People who are curious, collaborative, and ready to take creative risks
Anyone who wants to grow as a performer and theatre-maker
You don't need to be "ready"—you need to be willing. Youth Company is about developing your practice as an artist.
We value the perspectives and backgrounds that all individuals bring into the space.
WHAT WE OFFER:
A pre-professional training programme that includes:
Weekly training sessions with professional theatre artists (March–December 2026)
Performance opportunities in two major productions
Experience rehearsing and performing at the ASB Waterfront Theatre
Access to Auckland Theatre Company's working environment
Training in performance, voice, movement, devising, and collaborative creation
Complimentary tickets to all six Auckland Theatre Company productions in 2026
A supportive community of fellow young artists where you can grow, explore, and work creatively
Cost: Absolutely free.
There are no fees for Youth Company participation. All training, rehearsals, and performance opportunities are provided at no cost to participants.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
The Youth Company audition process is about us getting to know you and you getting to know us. We want to understand who you are, what drives you, and whether Youth Company is the right fit for your journey.
TIMELINE
Stage Detail Key Dates
Round One Application Form Closes: 12pm, Friday 23 January 2026
Shortlisted applicants notified by Wednesday 29 January 2026
Round Two Auditions Saturday 24 January 2026 OR Saturday 31 January 2026
Round Three
Recall Round 1 Thursday 12 & Friday 13 February 2026
Round Four Recall Round 2 Thursday 26 & Friday 27 February 2026
Announceme nt Youth Company 2026 confirmed Tuesday 3 March 2026
Orientation Orientation Weekend Saturday 7 & Sunday 8 March 2026
(All dates subject to change; shortlisted applicants will be notified directly.)
GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER
STEP 1: TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
Complete the online application form at https://www.atc.co.nz/learn-andexplore/youth-arts
We want to know who you are beyond your experience. The form asks you to share:
1. Your contact information, home address (including postcode), and date of birth
2. What you'd like us to know about you
3. Why you want to be part of Youth Company
4. Your favourite live performance and why it resonated with you
5. Your favourite play text or playwright
6. Any special skills you have
7. Your audition piece (dramatic text, max 1 minute)
8. An emergency contact (your next of kin or support person outside of ATC)
9. Any access needs or dietary requirements
YOUR AUDITION PIECE
At the audition, we'll ask you to perform a memorised piece of dramatic text (maximum 1 minute).
Dramatic text means a piece where a character goes on a journey or where something happens to a character. It should be a monologue from a play, not a poem or a speech.
When selecting your piece:
Choose something that resonates with you personally
Look for a character experiencing a clear shift or change
Make sure it's a piece you connect with emotionally
Keep it to one minute or under
Upload your chosen text when you submit your application form.
Need help finding a piece? Libraries, online play databases, and published play anthologies are great resources. Don't stress about finding the "perfect" piece—we want to see you, not just the material you've chosen.
STEP 2: AUDITION DAY
Auditions will take place at Auckland Theatre Company, Balmoral on:
Saturday, 24 January 2026 or
Saturday, 31 January 2026
You'll select your preferred audition slot(s) in your application. ATC will confirm your specific audition time shortly after your application is submitted.
What to expect:
Perform your prepared monologue
Work with us in group activities and exercises
Get a sense of what Youth Company is like
This is as much about you meeting us as it is about us meeting you. We want you to get a feel for the programme, the people, and the space.
STEP 3: RECALLS (IF SHORTLISTED)
If we'd like to get to know you better, you'll be invited back for one or both recall rounds:
Recalls give us more time together to explore your work, your interests, and whether Youth Company is the right next step for you.
STEP 4: OFFERS
Successful applicants will be notified on Tuesday 3 March 2026. We'll be in touch by phone and email. If you're offered a place, you'll have time to ask questions and decide if you want to accept.
Questions along the way? Contact us at youtharts@atc.co.nz
ABOUT AUCKLAND THEATRE COMPANY
Auckland Theatre Company (ATC) introduced itself to the world in 1993 under the leadership of Simon Prast with the world premiere of David Geary’s Lovelock’s Dream Run, directed by Raymond Hawthorne ONZM at the Watershed Theatre. The company was led by Artistic Director Colin McColl ONZM from mid2003 to 2021 who created an unprecedented 18 seasons during a highly productive period in which ATC established a permanent rehearsal base at Balmoral and set the scene for a theatre to call home.
In 2016, after a decade of dreaming, planning and fundraising, the company opened the ASB Waterfront Theatre in Wynyard Quarter, creating a new platform where theatre-makers could work at scale.
Now with an annual subscription season of 6-8 works, a thriving Youth Company, digital classroom and education programmes, new work in development, a suite of arts industry partnerships, rehearsal studios on Dominion Road and a 675-seat theatre to call home, ATC looks ahead to the next 30 years ready to embrace the new challenges of creating and presenting theatre for an ever changing audience in the context of Aotearoa’s largest multicultural city.
Our purpose of ’powerful storytelling that connects communities and enriches lives’ is manifested in five programme strands. We:
Produce theatre of scale and ambition, presenting outstanding New Zealand and international work that thrills audiences and builds community.
Develop new work by New Zealand theatre artists, reflecting the community of which we are a part and nurturing the next generation of New Zealand storytellers.
Inspire and engage young people, through initiatives in which young people can participate through school and independently.
Provide leadership for the performing arts sector, offering professional development and resources that nurture theatre workers.
Programme ASB Waterfront Theatre to fulfil its potential as a cultural asset for the benefit of Aucklanders.
We ask that all people involved with Youth Arts programmes at Auckland Theatre Company observe the following:
Put the needs of our young people first and reinforce a safe and supportive environment.
Develop positive relationships with young people and their parents/caregivers.
Do not take photos or video of young participants. Professional photographers will be engaged at pre-scheduled photoshoots only.
Be aware of risks with communication and behaviour between contractors/employees and young participants (online & mobile). This could include requests to friend you on social media.
Do not share personal information or photos of young participants on social media without their informed consent (including consent of parent/caregivers of those 16 years and under).
Alcohol, vaping, and smoking
Youth Arts Programmes, including Youth Company, Youth Associates and Emerging Writers Table are alcohol-free. ATC Balmoral is to be kept clear of alcohol while young people are in the building. Alcohol is not permitted in the Green Room or any backstage areas for any Youth Arts activity.
ATC Balmoral & ASB Waterfront Theatre are smoke-free public spaces; as classified by Auckland Council’s Smokefree Policy. Please respect Auckland Theatre Company’s adoption of this policy and only use identified smoking areas to smoke or vape.
Backstage Protocols
Guests are not permitted in the dressing rooms, or backstage areas at any time. This applies to everyone working in the building including contractors, employees, and crew.
We will operate a sign-in system for all participants going to and from the venue.
Children 18 years and under are assigned separate dressing room space.
Do not enter young participant’s dressing rooms (unless approved to do so by relevant management or chaperone, and without knocking first).
Do not close doors in rooms where children are present unless children need privacy to dress.
Do not allow children to (un)dress with others around (dressing should take place in private).
