“We believe a great theatre experience inspires, entertains, transforms and nourishes the human spirit”

Circa Theatre welcome submissions from professional theatre practitioners and companies for the 2027 Circa programme closing 30 April 2026.

We are looking for small cast plays and new Aotearoa New Zealand works. We welcome and encourage pitches that feature new and innovative ways of engaging with audiences as well as relating to our loyal Circa audience.

Our programme is the lifeblood of our theatre. Circa reviews play submissions annually to create a programme that aligns with its artistic vision.  In a rigorous selection process, projects are assessed on their artistic and commercial strengths. Please read carefully, details may have changed from prior years.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
The annual programme is a mix of classics and new work from Aotearoa New Zealand and across the globe. We programme a wide-ranging selection of work including drama, comedy, dance, immersive and interactive theatre, musical theatre, children’s theatre, and an annual pantomime. Circa is dedicated to the development, creation, and presentation of Māori, Pasifika and new Aotearoa New Zealand work.

Circa tends to programme projects that have a production model in place (most applications have a director attached), although we will consider new scripts from playwrights with a view to developing these towards production.

We welcome all scripts including…

• The development of Māori or Pasifika or new Aotearoa scripts
• Devised projects
• Plays that are politically and socially engaged
• Plays that are artistically ambitious and thematically expansive
  
• Dramatic theatre
• Comedy
• Dance
• Immersive and interactive theatre
• Musical theatre
• Children’s theatre

Preference is given to full-length scripted plays with small casts (8 is a large cast) and to new Aotearoa New Zealand work. There is limited scope for re-mounts of works previously seen in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington.

THINGS TO CONSIDER IN YOUR APPLICATION
Submissions are assessed on artistic vision, and context in our annual programme, their ability to meet our audiences, and the practicality of the production. Submissions should provide a clear overview of a projects practical and artistic makeup, in the context of presenting at Circa Theatre.

At the pitch you will be asked questions about your vision for the production.  There will be additional emphasis on describing your audience and including your budget.

Circa comprises two venues – Circa One seats around 224 with flexible seating so the number can vary from 180 upwards, and Circa Two, which seats 102.

Circa is not a venue for hire but enters into partnerships that work on a division of the Box Office take. There is limited support funding available from Theatre Artists’ Charitable Trust (TACT). If required, this should be indicated on the initial submission.

There are a limited number of slots available in Circa One, which is programmed predominantly into 4-week seasons (plus a production week) giving 26 performances.

There is more flexibility with the length of a season and the length of play in Circa Two, but also less funding available from TACT.

If you have any questions regarding planning a production for the Circa programme please contact Linda Wilson the Programming Co-ordinator on [email protected] to discuss further.

HOW DOES CIRCA THEATRE WORK?
Circa offers ongoing professional opportunities for theatre practitioners. Most of the productions we programme are produced by Single Venture Partnerships (SVP), where participating artists agree to share their risks and rewards in partnership with Circa. At the start of rehearsals, the SVP decides its production budget and how it will split any profit. At the end of the season, after booking fees and GST have been accounted for, the SVP takes 70% of the box office income. Out of this, they pay production costs, and the balance is shared amongst the participating artists.

The remaining 30% goes to Circa to cover administrative costs and royalty payments (10%). If there are no royalty payments to be made, the split between Circa and the SVP is 80%:20%.

Circa may agree to support the SVP by floating production costs during the rehearsal and presentation periods, and some funding may be available towards artists living costs during rehearsals.

Priority is given to new productions; however, some funding may be available to support shows being re-mounted or touring.

Circa provides general support for marketing however, each SVP must have a designated and experienced publicist/marketer as part of the team.

Circa’s Technical Manager is available in an advisory capacity, each co-op must provide its own designers, technicians, and operators. For Health & Safety reasons, Circa One production requires a Stage Manager (backstage) as well as the Technical Operator. Please note, this is not a requirement for Circa Two productions.

Directors should note that the Circa model requires that their role often includes elements of producing as well.

THE PROCESS
Download and complete this form Circa-Show Submissions-2027 and email to the programming coordinator Linda Wilson [email protected].

Selected submissions will be asked to pitch their proposals to the Circa Council on one of two Saturdays: either Saturday 4 or 18 July 2026 . These submissions will then be notified from August 2026 as to inclusion in the 2027 Programme.

APPLICATION DEADLINE – 5PM 30 APRIL 2026