FOLLOW OUR JOURNEY
We've got big plans for our little show. We'd love to tour nationally and internationally, and maybe even make a feature film. If you or your business think you can help us out - please get in touch. We'd love to chat!
HERE'S a list of ideas of how you can support us.
Or keep up to date with what we're doing by subscribing to our mailing list below.
OUR WHANAU
Kia ora! We are a passionate group of actors, artists, and friends
heralding from Auckland and Wellington, New Zealand.
Compassion; inclusivity; and sustainability are at the heart of our team and of our story. We believe in dreaming big and making art with a purpose.
We are proud to bring you 'ALONE'. We hope you enjoy it.
BRIAR COLLARD
Producer - She/Her
Briar Collard is a producer of both theatre and film and the founder of Dusty Room Productions.
She currently works full time as the sole Producer at award-winning video production company Eyes and Ears. In between commercial projects, the company recently produced short film LOVE IS REAL! which premiered at the NZ International Film Festival. Through her work as a Producer in both mediums, she has worked with large organisations including AUT, Air New Zealand and Auckland Council, to name a small selection, as well as touring around the North Island with Te Rēhia Theatre Company’s Ruia Te Kākano series which involved the management of a tour to over one hundred mainstream schools and kura kaupapa from 2015-2017.
Briar began her work behind the scenes as a live theatre producer, managing a vast array of projects. One of these roles was as Kaihautū, Te Taha Hinengaro, a member of the management team at Te Pou Theatre, the first independent kaupapa Māori performing arts venue for all. Here she oversaw, assistant-produced and project managed many productions and festivals, including their Kōanga Festival and Rangatahi Festival.
COURTNEY BASSETT
Actor and Concept - She/Her/He/Him
Courtney stars as pilot Jessica Holland. Courtney created the rough concept for ‘ALONE’ and brings a wealth of experience as a performer having performed in multiple productions for Auckland Theatre Company (‘Skin’ and ‘8 Reasonable Demands’ at the Here and Now Festival), critically acclaimed seasons at Basement Theatre (‘The Faustus Project’ and ‘The First Time’ which also toured to The Meteor Theatre) and starred as Benedick in the Young Auckland Shakespeare Company’s season of ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ at the Pop Up Globe Theatre.
Courtney holds a BA from the University of Auckland and a Masters of Screen Writing from AUT. Courtney was recently cast in feature film ‘Six Angry Women’ - to be released in 2021.
COURTY KAYOSS
Costume Designer - She/Her/They/Them
Courty graduated from Cut Above with a Diploma of Production Design and Sculpture where she was tutored by senior Weta Workshop Technician Nori Honda.
Courty is a Wellington based freelance artist who dabbles in a little bit of everything, from SFX make-up to journalism. She is also a popular and award-winning cosplayer who creates under ‘Kayoss Cosplay’. Her costuming/craftsmanship awards include winning the NZ Cosplay Championship national title in 2016, and most recently received an Honourable Mention for craftsmanship in the Supanova Cosplay Odyssey (Melbourne 2020).
Courty’s work and tutorials have been featured in ConArtist Magazine, a NZ-based costuming publication that is distributed internationally and has had photos of her costumes published in Cosplay Realm Magazine. Her involvement with ‘ALONE’ has been designing and constructing the astronauts’ suits, as well as designing key branding
(including our central ‘Lily of the Nile’ logo).
DR. STEVE WELLS
Scientific Advisor - He/Him
Dr. Steve Wells is a passionate physicist and science advocate. As a Macdiarmid Institute Postdoctoral Research Fellow, he researches stretchy fluids, magnets, and superconductors at the
University of Auckland.
Dr. Wells was instrumental in advising on the script development of ‘ALONE’; provided some real scientific equipment for our props and set; and continues to act as a consultant to our creative team.
He has since launched 'Believable Science', the immersive scientific advisory service, hoping to advocate for realistic and accessible science representation in the arts and NZ media landscape.
KAT GLASS
Producer and Actor - She/Her/They/Them
Kat stars as Dr. Sarah Taylor in ‘Alone’ but also brings a varied background as a producer of both theatre and screen projects. Kat has produced acclaimed theatre seasons at Basement Theatre, Q Theatre, Auckland Fringe Festival, Toi Wahine Festival, NZ International Comedy Festival, and Galatea Theatre. In film world Kat has produced music videos and shorts, as well as branded content, and has co-produced short films which have screened at the NZ International Film Festival, Giffoni Film Festival, Cannes Short Film Corner, Seoul Youth International Film Festival, and Arohanui Film Festival.
An actor for over a decade, Kat has performed in more than 30 professional productions, appeared on screen in ‘Shortland Street’, telefeatures, short films, and TVCs. Most recently Kat has toured NZ extensively in more than 100 performances with Tim Bray Theatre Company.
KATIE QUERIN
Stage Manager and Accessibility Advisor - She/Her
Katie is an experienced and in demand stage manager having worked for organisations such as Basement Theatre, NZ Opera, Skycity Theatre, Auckland Theatre Company, and more in addition to work abroad. From scheduling rehearsals, leading youth workshops, managing performers, and running multi-venue tours, Katie is often the first point of contact for the performers, venue staff, and design team. Katie is a core team member of Tim Bray Theatre Company - Auckland’s leading theatre for children who recently celebrated their 100th Season of Theatre. Katie has been with Tim Bray for several years, where she is an integral part of delivering the company’s accessible theatre offerings including NZSL performances and audio described performances in addition to her role as Company Stage Manager.
Katie has also spearheaded efforts to introduce Sensory Relaxed Performances for children with autism, sensory sensitivities, and neurodiversities to the company’s repertoire. There was no rulebook for creating sensory relaxed theatre in NZ, so she created one. Now she is passionate about bringing accessible performances to theatres across NZ.
MICHAEL GOODWIN
Technical/Lighting Designer - He/Him
Michael is a sought after lighting and sound designer and operator in Auckland. He majored in Production Design and Management in 2017. Since then he’s worked consistently as a freelancer in venues all around Auckland and beyond. His credits over the years have stretched across many areas of dance, musicals, comedies, drama - both professionally and for community spaces.
He lead the technical management and design for Animal (2019) at Basement Theatre by Stray Theatre Company, as well as assisting the logistics and operation of the premiere season of ALONE (2020). He was the technical operator for TEMPO Dance Festival at Q's Loft Theatre (2018,2019), and has countless other design or operation credits at Titirangi Theatre, Pumphouse Theatre, and Sky City Theatre. Michael's recent experience in the touring sector includes the technical design for tours of Dr Drama Makes A Show (2020) in Wellington and Auckland, Ghost Trees (2020) across 4 North Island venues, and Tampocalypse (2018-2020) in 3 venues in Auckland and Hamilton.
Michael has worked for companies including Auckland Theatre Company, Burning Black Productions, Let's Play Live, Proudly Asian Theatre, Stray Theatre Company, PRAYAS Theatre and continues to build his network and his craft.
His work continues outside of productions as a technical consultant, as well as a tutor; running lighting workshops, independent mentorships, and working full time at Northcote College in supporting the talented team of technical students.
MARISSA HOLDER
Fight Choreographer - She/Her/They/Them
Marissa is an actor, singer, martial artist, and personal trainer, brought on board to coordinate our fight scenes and ensure our actors are safe and fit. A passionate student of Kung Fu and Tai Chi, they are a qualified Level 5 Personal Trainer with their own PT business based in Auckland.
Marissa is a classically trained singer and graduate of NASDA, currently fronting the Nu Metal band Living State and the alternative synth-pop group No Sunrise, as well as composing and performing commercial jingles for NZME's radio brands.
Their acting credits include the homegrown musical Dominion Road the Musical, the television series Rurangi, and the short film Renters, for which Marissa recently won Best Actress at the Portland Comedy Film Festival 2020.
LUKE THORNBOROUGH
Writer and Director - He/Him
For the past three years Luke works full time at top branding and design agency Designworks as a Director and Editor of commercials and brand content. He has recently entered the freelance market. Luke has a background in theatre and film and has directed music videos for major labels, multiple short films including ‘Jess’ and ‘Numb’ which both premiered at the Cannes Short Film Corner, as well as ‘Skin’ and ‘Stay’ which both premiered at the NZ International Film Festival before enjoying further international festival circuit success. He has directed commercials for TUX, Purina, MOBIL, and more, and
worked as an editor at TVNZ and ‘Shortland Street’ before joining the team at DesignWorks. Luke also memorably directed a seven-part series for the Department of Conservation which currently shows on all inbound Air NZ flights, which teaches the environmental principles of ‘Leave No Trace’.
‘ALONE’ marks his return to his first love of theatre. Luke is passionate about championing the voices of minorities and frequently creates work that centres and celebrates women, gender diverse folk, and the LGBTQ+ community.
JAMES WRIGHT
Production Assistant - They/Them
James is a non-binary artist who recently graduated from AUT with a Bachelors of Digital Design majoring in game design. Their passions include drawing, crafting, editing, and trying to make the world a more interesting place.
James enjoys art, game design and asset creation. For Phase 2 of 'ALONE' James will be assisting behind the scenes across a range of departments including marketing, art department, front of house, and more.
ADAM ROHE
Development Season Set Designer - He/Him
Adam is a prolific performer, director, set designer, clown and creative. He has been instrumental in the production of roving character performance acts, street theatre, circus, immersive theatre performances, short films and web series and more traditional live theatre. His work has been performed both nationally and internationally, having completed several nation-wide and international tours.
He has starred in critically acclaimed works such as ‘Hir’ by Silo Theatre Company, and ‘The WonderWombs’ by The Dust Palace Circus Theatre. Other prominent credits include ‘Proof’ with Dusty Room Productions (set designer, performer), ‘Kridati’ with Manubrium Circus Theatre (overhead projection artist), the pakeha version of Ionesco’s ‘The Chairs’ as part of Te Pou’s diversity series (director) and ‘Rurangi’ (intern director and art department) - a web series that recently premiered at NZIFF.
His set design credits include a national tour of ‘Proof’, an immersive horror theatre show ‘Cradle Song’ from the acclaimed Albert Belz, and the development season of ‘ALONE’ using all recycled materials and discarded scientific equipment.
He is a founding whanau member of Te Pou Theatre, and Dusty Room Productions.
STEVE AUSTIN
Voice Over Artist - He/Him
Steve provides the voice of Phil (or ‘Mission Control’) in ‘ALONE’ but also brings a wealth of experience to the team as a producer of film and theatre.
Steve has been an Operations Manager at the 48Hour Furious Filmmaking Competition, a professional theatre and film critic, and is currently turning his critically acclaimed short documentary ‘Operation: RAMBU!’
into a feature length film.
FOLLOW OUR JOURNEY
We've got big plans for our little show. We'd love to tour nationally and internationally, and maybe even make a feature film. If you or your business think you can help us out - please get in touch. We'd love to chat!
HERE'S a list of ideas of how you can support us.
Or keep up to date with what we're doing by subscribing to our mailing list below.
Thank you
to the many generous people who have made this project possible.
In support of our 2021 North Island tour, our thanks particularly to Auckland Vehicle Rentals, Hell Pizza, Lone Star, Joe's Garage, Elixir Cafe New Plymouth, Eyes and Ears Video Production, Calvin Sang, Chillbox Creative, Te Pou Theatre, Skycity, Rose Centre Belmont, Adam Rohe, University of Auckland, Tim Bray Theatre Company, Michael Wightman, Ben Sarten Imagery, Mark and Carol Thornborough, Becky and Steve Thornborough, Mary Rackham and Brian Bowler, Auckland Fringe Festival, Renee Liang, Stuart Hoar, Henric Matthiesen, Sandani Hiranya, Judith Clumpas, Hayley Robertson, Will Prosor, Ainsley Calderwood, Daryl Wong, Naiomi Murgatroyd, MOTAT, Amber Curreen, Emma Bishop, our generous venues, and our incredible Boosted supporters.
The 2021 Wellington season of ALONE at Te Auaha is made possible with the support of Creative NZ and NZ Fringe.
