Kia ora and talofa. Welcome to PAYPA. PAYPA is a community of artists and organisations dedicated to performing arts by, with and for children and young people in Aotearoa New Zealand.

PAYPA embodies ASSITEJ New Zealand. ASSITEJ is an international network whose mission is to unite theatres, organisations and individuals throughout the world dedicated to theatre, performing arts, children and young people.

 
Learn more about PAYPA and what we offer
Find out what’s happening in performing arts for/by/with children and young people

PAYPA Excellence Awards 2025

Nominations for the 2025 PAYPA Awards, including Emerging Artists and Production of the Year, are open until 15 October.  Read more

Watch this space for exciting updates from the PAYPA Team about a range of activities in 2025

Mentorships now underway

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Completed

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Now underway

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Join us for the 2025 PAYPA Hui!

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View our showreel of New Zealand productions available for touring

Latest Productions
Cubbin Concert
Cubbin Concert

Join Cubbin Theatre Company and musical friends for a concert of original Cubbin tunes - Christchurch, 4-7 December.

The Griegol
The Griegol

From Trick of the Light Theatre comes a show without words about death, love, and monsters - Wellington 23-25 October and Tauranga 28 October.

Up and Away
Up and Away

Cubbin Theatre presents a playful and gentle performance created exclusively for babies and their grown ups - Christchurch, 5-9 November.

For Schools & ECE
Massive Theatre Company’s Education Resources
Massive Theatre Company’s Education Resources

Access to a filmed version of productions, scripts and detailed study guides that speak to NCEA assessment needs.

Massive Theatre Company’s School Workshops
Massive Theatre Company’s School Workshops

Unique, tailor-made theatre workshops for schools, available nationwide and internationally.

Resources for School Productions
Resources for School Productions

Calico Theatre provides production resources to support North Island primary and intermediate schools to mount large-cast productions - choose from 7 different shows. Now booking for 2026.

Workshops & Training
Hagley Theatre School 2026 Audition
Hagley Theatre School 2026 Audition

Applications for Hagley College Theatre School 2026 are now open - application deadline 30 October.

Who What Where Drama Workshops
Who What Where Drama Workshops

Join us this November for some cheap-as-chips drama workshops for children aged 5 to 14, at Wellington’s Takina Exhibition space.

Massive Theatre Company’s Teacher Workshops
Massive Theatre Company’s Teacher Workshops

Massive’s professional development workshops, led by Massive’s Artistic Director Sam Scott, are suitable for teachers and theatre practitioners of all levels.

Opportunities & Employment
PAYPA Excellence Awards 2025
PAYPA Excellence Awards 2025

Nominations for the 2025 PAYPA Awards, including Emerging Artists and Production of the Year, are open until 15 October.

Duffy Theatre Auditions
Duffy Theatre Auditions

Duffy Theatre is looking for four actors to join our tour of primary schools in 2026 - auditions 28 October in Wellington and 1 November in Auckland.

Auditions for Red Leap Theatre</span>
Auditions for Red Leap Theatre

Red Leap Theatre is remounting Dakota of the White Flats for an Australia tour in May 2026 - auditions 16-17 October in Auckland (video submissions also welcome). 

Festivals, Conferences and Networking
PAYPA Hui 2025
PAYPA Hui 2025

Join us at The Court Theatre in Christchurch for a weekend of celebration, connection, workshops, kōrero and the 2025 PAYPA Awards, 7-9 November.

ASSITEJ World Congress &amp; Festival
ASSITEJ World Congress & Festival

Save the date and join us in Korea in 2027 to celebrate the 22nd ASSITEJ World Congress & Performing Arts Festival, 22 July - 1 August 2027.

The Little Giant Children’s Festival
The Little Giant Children’s Festival

ONEONESIX launches a festival dedicated entirely to children and their whānau - Whangārei, 19 September - 12 October.

Other News
Plays for the Young competition winners
Plays for the Young competition winners

Congratulations to the winners of Playmarket’s Plays for the Young 2025 competition!

Caesar, Celia &amp; Caliban As You’ll Like It
Caesar, Celia & Caliban As You’ll Like It

Forty-eight rangatahi from across Aotearoa converge in Wellington this September for a nine-day immersion in Shakespeare, culminating in two public performances.

PAYPA Creative Residency 2025
PAYPA Creative Residency 2025

Lynne Cardy reflects on creatives who are shaping the next wave of bold, innovative theatre that speaks directly to the tamariki and rangatahi of Aotearoa.

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