Creative Talks

Stories are at the heart of creativity. The PumpHouse Theatre’s series of Creative Talks is an informal early-evening event where local artists and creatives share their stories and ideas with our community whether they have a lifelong passion or are new to the arts.

This programme of free Creative Talks spotlights a wide range of the arts, giving audiences a behind the scenes insight into the world of the creative process.

From multicultural arts to theatrical performance, by way of actors, authors, poets and playwrights, there is something for everyone with an interest in the arts and what inspires and drives creativity.

Creative Talks are held monthly at The PumpHouse Theatre and entry is free.

Creative Talks Online

In response to the Covid-19 restrictions on public gatherings, in 2020 we’ve moved many of our Creative Talks online.  You can watch the talks on YouTube below.

Terry Hooper

Actor and director Terry Hooper joins Mags for a brief chat about this experience in the performing arts and how he is adapting to life under lockdown. 

You may have seen Terry on stage at The PumpHouse in Not About Heroes, or directing shows for Crossfade Productions and The Acting Collective.

Max Easey

Regular Tim Bray Theatre Company fans will recognise this week’s guest Max Easey from “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” and “The Little Yellow Digger”. He was due to star in “Greedy Cat” which has been postponed until later in the year.

A recent graduate from Unitec Performing & Screen Arts, Max joins Mags to talk about his love of acting, mask, Dungeons and Dragons and how he is keeping creative while on lockdown.

Sabine Doolin

Sabine helps arts organisations develop audience engagement strategies, and shares some of her insights about how arts organisations can remain connected to their audiences through the lockdown.

Sabine has worked with local and international arts organisations, notably the Tate galleries in the UK. We’re lucky to have her serve as a Trust Board Member for The PumpHouse Theatre too.

Aimee Olivia

Aimee was part of The Acting Collective performances at The PumpHouse over the last few years before she packed up her life and moved to London to study a Masters of Acting at Mountview Academy.

Aimee talks to Mags about her experience at a prestigious drama school, and how she is staying creative during lockdown in London.

Emma Poyner

After performing on The PumpHouse stage as a child, Emma returned to be a member of the North Shore Theatre and Arts Trust Board – the volunteer Board who oversee The PumpHouse on behalf of the community. Emma joins Mags to talk about Trust Boards, volunteering, and her on stage experiences ranging from Shakespearean murderer to runway model!

Russell Dixon

Mags is joined by musical theatre star Russell Dixon who went from early beginnings at The PumpHouse to the bright lights of the West End – with a detour as a TV3 weather presenter. Russell shares his favourite PumpHouse memories and some details of his “lockdown” project – which will hopefully take to the stage at The PumpHouse later this year.

Anne Rimmer

From her theatrical childhood in Wellington in the 1950s and 60s, directing Gilbert and Sullivan, touring dinner theatre in small-town Canada, to her involvement with theatre on the Shore for over 20 years like Gus the Theatre Cat, Anne Rimmer has ‘played every possible part’. Emphasising the huge contribution made to a production by the backstage crew, Anne takes us on an illustrated tour sharing the joy that theatre has brought to her life.

Anne was due to give her Creative Talk “in person” today. Instead, she popped into the last week so we could record it and share it online.

Rose Northey

Fans of Creative Talks will recognise poet and illustrator Rose Northey from last year’s Creative Talk series. Rose recently returned for The PumpHouse to premiere her first solo show as part of the Auckland Fringe. She joins Mags to discuss all things poetry and illustration and the struggles of being creative during lockdown. You can follow Rose’s work on her Instagram account at https://www.instagram.com/whenpoetsattack