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About Vanessa
Kia ora! Hey there!
I'm a passionate wāhine Māori/Pākēha theatre maker, independent producer and arts marketer (jeez, what a mouthful to say!). I have experience in touring large scale international productions to independent solo shows. I've also marketed and publicised dozens of independent events over the past seven years.
Originally from Whakatāne (the mighty East Coast!), I moved to the big city (Te Whanganui-a-Tara or Wellington) in 2012 to study ... International Relations, Theatre and Business...what?!
After one year of university lectures, I realised I wanted to have more hands-on, technical training and I could always do my politics and business as a hobby.
Yes, you read correctly, politics and business as a hobby instead of theatre!
So I switched up and followed my showgirl dreams (I can't dance to save myself even after 3 years of intense dance training). In 2015, I graduated from the Whitireia Performance Centre with a Bachelor of Applied Arts (Performing Arts – Musical Theatre).
While studying, I began working as a production assistant & tour manager for Lunchbox Theatrical Productions on international touring shows such as Singin' In the Rain, Cats, Blue Man Group and Priscilla Queen of the Desert.
I am the founder and creative producer of The Co - Lab, a Wellington-based theatre company, which I created in 2016, with a focus on producing emerging Māori and Pasifika artists’ new theatre work.
This includes Kasiano Mita’s Talofa Papa (NZ Fringe & Kia Mau Festival 2018, Perth's FRINGE WORLD Festival, Adelaide Fringe Festival & Auckland's Basement Theatre 2019), and Maia Diamond’s Fishin’ Chip (Kia Mau Festival 2019).
In October 2019, I jumped ship and took on a senior role at Adelaide Fringe Festival. Managing the Fringe Club, I programmed all the nightly functions, events, bands and DJs throughout the 31-day festival.
I am of Ngā Wairiki o Ngāti Apa and Tūwharetoa descent, and am currently on my whakapapa and te reo Māori journey.
Some fun facts about me:
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I've been to every continent except for Antarctica!
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I obtained my black belt in Shotokan Karate when I was 11 years old (now retired)
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My family dogs have always been Golden Retrievers and named after alcohol; Chardonnay, Baileys and Sauvignon Blanc (Savi for short)
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I worked for five summers as a tour guide on Whakaari/White Island, New Zealand's most active volcano, and loved meeting new people, promoting our local area and seeing dolphins (my favourite animal) almost every single day!
Want to know more about my international producing work or what my favourite country is so far that I've visited (don't make me choose, they're all amazing)?
Send me an email at or sign up to my newsletter below!
