Christmas message from the President
As the year winds down and the holidays approach, I want to thank you so much for your continued support of 16th Ave Theatre, wish you all the best for the holiday season, take a minute or two to reflect on what a fabulous year 2025 has been and look ahead to 2026.
We have staged four remarkable productions this year—ranging from an American play and a New Zealand drama to a classic British murder mystery, finishing with a beloved British pantomime. In November, we celebrated at the Musical Theatre NZ Zone 2 Zony Awards where we proudly received five awards for Nell Gwynn out of 21 nominations for three of our productions —an outstanding accomplishment that highlights the creativity and commitment of everyone involved, both on stage and behind the scenes.
A heartfelt thanks goes out to our wonderful directors, dedicated cast and crews for all their hard mahi, passion and energy they bring to every performance, and our Front of House team who look after us all so well. We are also incredibly grateful for our enthusiastic audiences, especially those visiting 16th Ave for the first time. Every new production brings fresh faces to the stage and continues to grow our theatre family.
Looking ahead, 2026 is set to be memorable as Tauranga Repertory Society’s 16th Ave Theatre marks its 90th anniversary! We have another exciting line-up of shows planned and a major celebration weekend in September. Stay tuned to our Facebook page and website for updates - and please help us spread the word. If you know any former members, encourage them to reach out; we would love to reconnect!
The year kicks off with a powerful homegrown drama: An Unseasonable Fall of Snow by Gary Henderson, directed by Ben Cain, whose team is already busy with rehearsals.
Audition slots are open now for Thrill of Love to held in January, followed by Shakespeare in Love in February. Find all audition details here on our website. https://16avetheatre.co.nz/auditions/18-january-2026-the-thrill-of-love-by-amanda-whittington and https://16avetheatre.co.nz/auditions/20-21-february-2026-shakespeare-in-love.
Wishing you a joyful Christmas—I look forward to welcoming you back to the theatre in the coming year!
