PAYPA Creative Residency participants 2025
We are delighted to announce the incredible group of artists awarded places in this year's PAYPA creative residency. They are playwrights, puppeteers, choreographers, acrobats, DJs, and devisors. They have brilliant ideas for new shows for young audiences. We can’t wait to see how their ideas grow during the residency.
Top row from L: Anna Bailey, Wellington; Amy Grace Laura, Wellington; Bea Gladding (Ngāti Porou / Ngā Puhi), Christchurch; Betsabé Quintero, Auckland
2nd row from L: Georgie Llelwellyn, Auckland; Janaye Henry (Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa), Auckland; Jesse Dean Miller, Auckland; Jessie McCall, Auckland
3rd row from L: Katie Burson, Auckland; Kelly Gilbride, Whāngarei; Lana Petrović, Auckland; Melissa Cameron, Auckland
Bottom row from L: Renee Liang, Auckland; Stormy Kay (Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi), Whāngarei; Tomasin Fisher-Johnson, Whāngarei; Tom Gowing, Whāngarei
About the Creative Residency
The creative residency is a 2.5-day professional development project aimed at artists who have previously led the creation of theatre and/or dance productions. The focus is on developing work for young audiences, and it provides time, space and inspiration to develop ideas through peer-sharing, mentorship and workshops. It takes place from Friday 22 – Sunday 24 August in Tāmaki Makaurau and includes a stipend, meals, accommodation, workshops, artistic support, rehearsal and meeting space.
Participants were selected from all those who registered Expressions of Interest after our call out for professional practitioners based anywhere in Aotearoa New Zealand. We were looking for experienced creators passionate about developing fresh, exciting ideas for a theatre and/or dance production aimed at young audiences.
From Kapa Haka-inspired storytelling, immersive dance, Bunraku puppetry, and all the artistic spaces in between, the PAYPA Creative Residency supports and encourages artists to consider new forms and ideas for this important audience.
Registrations for expressions of interest for this year’s creative residency closed 2 May 2025.