The Outfit Theatre Company

MISSION:

Our loyal ensemble forges explosive theatre for hungry audiences.

HISTORY:

In early 2005, over 20 strangers met on their first day of drama school at UNITEC. Over the next 3 years this group of actors forged a tight ensemble based bond. Due to their original and different approach to the work, they became known as the ‘textured’ class. In 2007, the idea was mooted that the chemistry and work ethic of the group was such that a theatre company could realistically be formed upon graduation.

 Meetings were held in lounges and backyards around Auckland and a consensus was reached, the company would strive to create entertaining theatre, theatre that ordinary members of the public would want to go to, theatre that was exciting, gutsy, original and not ‘wanky’. Late in 2007 as three painstakingly intense years of drama school were coming to a close, the company met and decided on a name ‘The Outfit Theatre Company’ and a management structure. Sarah Graham and Joel Herbert were voted in as Co-Artistic Directors and the group looked forward to the end of their training and the beginning of the company.

 In 2008, as the actors went through the usual confidence crisis that most experience on entering the ‘real’ world, the company was one of the ways in which the members kept up their skills and honed their craft. The company held regular devising workshops and improvisational explorations aimed at tightening the connection and developing the ensemble. After 3 years of training and 1 of exploration, the ensemble was ready to launch. In late 2008 The Outfit announced itself with the world premiere of ‘The K Rd Show’, a play that was entirely devised and created by the company and which was to define how the company would work and perform.

 In 2009, The Outfit began to grow. Past and present graduates of UNITEC were incorporated into the company and The Outfit approached 2009 as their first full season of productions.  After the Auckland Fringe Festival season of ‘Little White Men’, the company set its sights high with the children’s school holiday production of ‘Treasure Island’, professional director Alison Quigan was recruited to direct and three UNITEC 3rd year students were seconded to the cast as a part of their graduation year. This ongoing relationship with UNITEC is one of the foundation stones for the company and more opportunities for current students will be explored in coming seasons. The company’s final show for the 2009 season was the explosive farce, ‘The Office Xmas Party’. Devised by the cast, it was a smash hit, with sold out signs up for three-quarters of the season. The show fulfilled one of the core aims of the company, bringing in new audiences, as for much of the audience it was their first time at the theatre. Such was the success of the season that The Outfit ‘Xmas Show’ will become a regular fixture on the calendar.

 In 2010 and beyond The Outfit aims to produce a minimum of four shows a season, focusing on the key objectives of original, gutsy, relevant and exciting ensemble-based entertainment. In 2010 we produced the gripping thriller ‘The Suburban Murder’, an encore season of ‘Treasure Island’ at TAPAC, and have just finished an encore season of ‘Little White Men’ at The Basement.

 2011 brings The Outfit's largest season yet, with 5 shows programmed. Check out: www.outfittheatre.co.nz for all the details.