User:AdeyRamsel/sandbox

Newmarket Stage Company is the only professional theatre company based in Newmarket, Auckland, New Zealand.

The Company was created as an initiative between the arts and business, whereby local business would support the theatre company, helping it to flourish. In turn the theatre company brings an audience into the local area who in turn will support the local businesses. The company model is seen as one of the first instance of the arts and business helping each other out for mutual benefit, and to create a company in an area where there has been no history of professional performing arts. The company is strongly supported by the Newmarket Business Association. The brainchild of Adey Ramsel, the company's first Artistic Director, the company aimed to build on the infrastructure of transport, cafe's, restaurants and bars.

Local businesses that have supported the initiative have included Countdown and Glengarry.

Artistic Director

Adey Ramsel was the company's first Artistic Director, creating the company, its structure and Board over a period of four years. Ramsel stepped aside in 2014 to move to Stratford-Upon-Avon, United Kingdom but continued to act as Executive Director. John Callen was appointed by Ramsel as his replacement. Callen is one of New Zealand's most prolific theatre practitioners, having directed countless theatre productions and tv, including the long running soap opera, Shortland Street. Callen spent the 3 years prior to his appointment as Oin, one of the Dwarves and core cast in Peter Jackson's The Hobitt trilogy, alongside Martin Freeman and Ian McKellan.

Productions To Date

Educating Rita by Willy Russell

Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom & Jeffrey Hatcher

Shirley Valentine by Willy Russell

Patron

George Henare OBE CNZM agreed to become the company's first patron after playing the leads in the company's first two productions.