Artistic Director

e: sam@massivecompany.co.nz

Sam is the founder of Massive Company, and has directed for the company over that time, spanning more than 25 years. Aside from directing, she delivers workshops to young people, emerging artists and teachers, plus trains tutors and directors within the company. 

Acting General Manager

e: amanda@massivecompany.co.nz

Amanda started with Massive in November 2017. She comes from a background of theatre directing, devising and producing her own work. She has been carving a life in theatre since graduating from Toi Whakaai in 1990. 

Kaumatua

Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Whātua, Ngā Puhi
Baylee joined the Massive team in 2018, after working with Te Pou Theatre as part of the 2018 Maori Arts Internship Programme. She is the producer for Massive’s workshop programme and annual activities. In 2019, Baylee is producing Massive’s emerging artists’ show, ‘Like a River, I Disagree,’ and the premiere production ‘Half of the Sky’

Carla has been working with Massive as a choreographer, tutor and diretor since its early days as Maidment Youth Theatre, and has co-directed over seven productions including 'Up Close Out Loud' and 'The Brave.' She is currently tutoring and directing with Massive Nui Ensemble.

Ngāti Hine
Miriama was part of Massive’s first Director’s Lab in 2015, going on to co-direct ‘The Island,’ which toured to the National Theatre of Scotland Youth Exchange Programme in 2016. Miriama recently collaborated as co-writer on our 2018 emerging artists’ show ‘Sightings, and is currently a tutor and director on the Massive tutoring team.

Tainui/Fijian
Scotty has been part of Massive since 2006 as an actor, tutor and director. In 2008 he was an international delegate to ‘Contacting the World’ in Liverpool, representing Massive. Scotty has performed in ‘Up Close Out Loud,’ ‘Havoc in the Garden,’ ‘The Brave’ and ‘The Wholehearted.’ In 2015 he took part in the Director’s Lab, going on to co-direct ‘The Wholehearted’ and ‘Chance to Ignite’ in 2016.

Ngāti Porou
Kura joined Massive Company in 2008 as an actor in ‘Whero’s New Net,’ going on to perform in ‘Havoc in the Garden’ and ‘The Wholehearted.’ She took part in the Director’s Lab in 2015, was co-director of Massive’s 2018 emerging artist’s show ‘Sightings,’ and is currently working on her new stand up comedy show for 2019, ‘Kura Shoulda Woulda’ for the NZ International Comedy Festival. Kura is looking forward to being a cast member of Massive’s 2019 show ‘Half of the Sky,’ written by Lennie James.

Wesley joined Massive at the age of 17, going on to perform in many productions including 'Sons of Charlie Paora,' '100 Cousins,' and 'My Bed My Universe.' He is now a member of the Massive tutoring team on both Foundations workshops, and for Massive Nui Ensemble.

Margaret-Mary is an experienced actor, director and tutor who has been involved with Massive since its early days as Maidment Youth Theatre. As well as being a guest tutor on many Massive productions, she tutored and co-directed Massive Nui Ensemble’s first showing of 2018, ‘Hold Your Horses.’ Outside of Massive, she has recently been working with Auckland Theatre Company, MIXIT and Red Leap. Margaret-Mary is the Artistic Director of Marvellous Theatre Group and House of Hudson, with whom she is currently developing a new work, ‘The Lights Out Project.’

Cook Island Māori
Dom joined Massive in 2006 as an actor in ‘Up Close Out Loud,’ and has since performed in ‘My Bed My Universe’ and ‘The Brave.’ He is currently a tutor working with Massive Nui Ensemble, and teaches on our Foundations workshops for young people.

Stef joined the company in 2010 as a member of Massive Nui Ensemble, and performed in emerging artists’ shows ‘The Island’ and ‘Chance to Ignite.’ She took part in the Director’s Lab 2016/17, and is currently a tutor on Massive’s workshop programme. Stef had her directorial debut in 2018 at Basement Theatre, with Courtney Rose Brown’s ‘The First Time,’ which was also part of Toi Wahine Festival in Hamilton. In 2019 she will be directing a new Massive emerging artists’ show, ‘Like a River,’ written by Jo Randerson.

Ngati Maniapoto
Ebony has been a member of Massive Company since 2014, when she took part in her first Massive workshop. She joined Massive Nui Ensemble in 2015 and has performed in two emerging artists’ shows - the 2017 devised work ‘Chance to Ignite,’ and in 2018, ‘Sightings.’ This year Ebony is one of our trainee tutors as well as an active member of Massive Nui Ensemble.

Ngāti Wai/Nga Puhi
With an acting career spanning film, TV and theatre, Bree holds a Bachelor of Performing Arts Degree from Toi Whakaari, with further training at Atlantic Acting School in New York. In 2007 she joined Massive Company, workshopping and performing in ‘Whero’s New Net’ (2008-2009). Subsequent Massive shows include ‘Havoc in the Garden’ (2011) and ‘The Wholehearted’ (2016-17).

Ngāti Porou
Celeste has been with Massive since 2016, when she joined Massive Nui Ensemble. She performed in emerging artists’ shows ‘Chance to Ignite’ in 2016, and ‘Sightings’ in 2017. Celeste trained as a tutor in 2018, and is now part of the Massive teaching team.

Villa Junior Lemanu joined Massive Company in 2015 as part of the Nui Ensemble, going on to perform in his first professional theatre show, ‘The Wholehearted’ (2016-17). In 2018, Villa graduated with a Bachelor of Dance Studies from the University of Auckland, and now choreographs and dances professionally. Most recently, he performed in the 2019 World of Wearable Arts, and created and performed a solo work as part of The Pacific Dance NZ Choreographic Lab 2019.

With a CV that includes everything from judges to Amazon queens, award-winning actor Alison Bruce has worked on many film, TV shows and stage productions over the years. She has worked with Red Leap Theatre Company, Theatre at Large, Silo Theatre and Auckland Theatre Company, and has recently starred in TV series ‘The Brokenwood Mysteries’ and ‘Golden Boy.’