HELLO, DOLLY! AUDITIONS
2025-05-01 19:00 - 2025-05-04 21:00 UTC | The Playhouse, 198 Church Street, Timaru, 7910, New Zealand
HELLO performers!

Email jill@specialevents.co.nz for an audition pack for our upcoming musical classic, ‘Hello, Dolly!’. It has lyrics and YouTube links so you can practice audition songs.

Onstage 25 Juy-9 August, Timaru – audition week includes an Info Evening 7pm, 1 May followed by auditions on Sunday 4 May, 2pm, all at the Playhouse. Actors, singers, dancers needed, all ages 16 as at 25 July

Directed by TJ Ramsay, with musical direction by Ella Thomas and choreography Bronwyn Chittock.

WHY NOT GIVE IT A GO?

The Secret Lives of Extremely Old People
2025-05-09 19:30 - 2025-05-17 21:30
THE SECRET LIVES OF EXTREMELY OLD PEOPLE
Five fictional nonagenarians share their fascinating stories. They riff, they rant, they rebel, they remember. Tragedy hovers and death is drawing close. So why do they say they are lucky? Deeper than data about old age, their stories are startling, exhilarating and moving.
Playwright Rachel McAlpine was shocked to the core when her GP predicted she would live to 99. Like most people, she had opinions about very old age but no experience.
She asked local people in their 90s about their lives and found their revelations broke all the stereotypes. She also walked the footpaths of Wellington asking people how they see their life unfolding at 90.
The play, “The Secret lives of Extremely Old People” erupted from those conversations.
Preceding each of three matinees, The Vintage Piano Trio will perform in the lounge for 30 minutes. Their ages span three decades and total 255 years
Performances
Fri May 9th 7.30 pm
*Sat May 10th & *Sun May 11th 2pm Matinee
Thur May 15th & Fri May 16th 7.30pm
*Sat 17th May 2pm Matinee
Buy tickets on line at iTICKET and at the
Timaru Information Centre

AUDITIONS - Frankie Builds Androids
2025-06-09 18:00 - 2025-06-14 20:00
FRANKIE BUILDS ANDROIDS is presented through special arrangement with Beat by Beat Press (bbbpress.com)
Workshops – Monday 9th June & Wednesday 11th June – 6pm
Auditons – Saturday 14th June (times to be confirmed)
Audition packs available – scdljuniorsprimary@gmail.com
Jess Diamond, Director; Emily Rentoul, Musical Director; and Kat Thompson, Choreographer.

Varied cast roles available.
Ages 8 – 12
Come along to one of our workshops to see if this is for you. We welcome new and experienced performers.

Meet Frankie, a brilliant but socially awkward student who can’t seem to connect with her classmates. When a group project goes awry, Frankie devises an unconventional solution: she replaces all her classmates with android replicas, each programmed to correct their flaws. What follows is a hilarious and unexpected string of events that challenges Frankie’s ideas of belonging and perfection.

Featuring a modern synth-pop score, this sci-fi musical comedy explores the ways we build narratives around one another and how a community where everyone is exactly the same is not a community at all.
CHARACTERS

FRANKIE: A socially awkward genius. Struggles to make friends, except for the friends that she literally makes.
AVERY: Frankie’s best friend. Very smart, more socially confident than Frankie. Wants to explore new interests.
“The Pointers”: The robots Frankie built when she was younger. Her sidekicks.
1.0: Very excitable.
2.0: Very nervous.
3.0: Very wise.
Student Council:
SAWYER: Running for Student Council President. Very precise and punctual.
EMERSON: Running for Student Council President. Willing to do whatever he needs to in order to succeed.
ASHER: Running for Student Council Vice President as Emerson’s running-mate. Rarely gets a word in.
Improv Club:
FINN: Captain of the improv club. Happy to point out that improv takes a LOT of hard work.
POLLY: Firmly believes improv is NOT a contact sport.
KAI: As an android, she sings about how her “dancing is shoddy.”
CAM: Extremely agreeable (“Yeah, yeah, yeah!”).
ASPEN: As an android, he sings about auditioning for a role, but “lacking soul.”
BRYN: More than happy to explain the #1 rule of improv club (“yes, and”). IMPROV ENSEMBLE: Additional members of the improv club.
Ultimate Frisbee Club (UFC):
TURBINE: Captain. Also one of the leaders of the android revolution. Always down to teach others a thing or two about ultimate frisbee.
CYCLONE: UFC Teammate. One of the leaders of the android revolution. His favorite word is “word.”
STORM: UFC Teammate. One of the leaders of the android revolution. Believes any issue can be solved by “tossing it out.”
GALE: UFC Teammate. Offended that anyone would consider ultimate frisbee “silly.”
ZEPHYR: UFC Teammate. Offended that anyone would call ultimate frisbee “a game.”
TEMPEST: UFC Teammate. Offended that anyone would confuse ultimate frisbee with disc golf.
UFC ENSEMBLE: Additional members of the ultimate frisbee club.
Students:
DEVON: A student who hasn’t chosen a particular club. Anxious about participating in school dances.
TREY: A student who hasn’t chosen a particular club. Mistakes Devon for Frankie.
STUDENT ENSEMBLE: Members of the student ensemble in school. Also play COLLEGE STUDENTS in Frankie’s imagination.

MOVIE NIGHT
2025-06-13 19:00 - 21:30
MOVIE NIGHT – Fundraiser
Join us for a movie night centred around one of the greatest bands of our time.
The Last Waltz was a concert by the rock group The Band, and was advertised as the Band’s “farewell concert appearance”.
The concert had the band joined by more than a dozen special guest artists that influenced the band during their career – Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Neil Diamond, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison.
13 June 2025 at 7.00pm – Doors and Bar Will Be Open at 6.30pm
Tickets Are $15 and available from Mark Lowen: 43a Selwyn Street, Timaru – 03 684 7762

July Theatre School Holiday Programme 2025
2025-07-07 09:00 - 2025-07-11 18:00
The South Canterbury Drama League invites registrations for the
Theatre School Holiday Programme on at the Playhouse
from the 7th – 11th July 2025. 5 DAY PROGRAMME!!
Your tutors are looking forward to taking students through this fun, jam packed, five day programme of theatre.
Open to children aged 7+ this programme will provide an opportunity for learning in a fit for purpose theatre. A fantastic, fun programme for newcomers and experienced performers alike designed to help children learn, polish and develop skills in theatre. At the end of the five days, the participants will put on a performance of their learnings from through the week. This is always a highlight.
All ages sessions learning and developing
Acting techniques/dance/singing/and much more..
DATES: Mon 7th – Fri 11th July
TIMES: 9-3pm Friday 9-finish
PERFORMANCES: Friday 11th July 3pm and 4.45pm (your child must be available for these performances to take part in the programme)
NON MEMBER – $230 (INCLUDES MEMBERSHIP)
MEMBER – $205
*FAMILY DISC. take 10% off participation fee *discount not included in membership portion.
REGISTER HERE
NOTE: Invoices will be sent please don’t pay prior. Registration is complete on payment.
The participation fee for our holiday programmes, also covers a 12month Junior membership.

Hello, Dolly!
2025-07-25 19:30 - 2025-08-09 21:30
Hello, Dolly! is one of the most successful musicals of all time with some of the best songs ever written for the stage – a musical filled with charisma and with heart.
Matchmaker Dolly Levi is a widow, a matchmaker, and also a professional meddler –but everything changes when she decides that the next match she needs to make is to find someone for herself. Set in New York City at the turn of the century, Hello Dolly! is boisterous and charming from start to finish as Dolly brings together the young clerk of a wealthy Yonkers merchant and his assistant with a widowed milliner and her assistant, while making sure she herself gets to marry the merchant.
Hello, Dolly! features such memorable songs as “Before the Parade Passes By,” “Elegance”, “It Only Takes a Moment,” “Put on Your Sunday Clothes,” and – of course – the title number, “Hello, Dolly!”.

98th Annual AGM
2025-09-10 19:00 - 21:00
The South Canterbury Drama League Inc. will be holding it’s 98th Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 10th September at 7pm.
We invite you to attend this meeting as we look back at our past year of performance and look forward to what lies ahead for our society.
Two Board positions and that of President are vacant. That of President will be filled separately. There will be three board vacancies if the President position is filled by a standing Board member.
We urge our members to consider using their skills on our board. The Board meets on the 3rd Monday of the month 7pm at the Playhouse.
Our society is a complex one but is one that has a lot of interesting facets to it and we need a variety of people at the helm with varying skills to keep our League vibrant and moving forward. Is this you?
NOMINATION FORMS ARE HERE or in person at the office. Nominations close Noon Wednesday 27th August.
The new Rules required by the Charities Commission have been completed in draft, evaluated by our honorary solicitor and approved by the Board to be presented at our next AGM for approval by our members as required by our current Rules.
Members are urged to peruse the Draft Rules which can be accessed HERE and contact Kevin Foley
E: kevinfoley@xtra.co.nz Ph: 027 6862209) with any queries.
If you have any questions or wish to put in an apology, please contact Sharleyne at manager@dramaleague.org.nz
AGENDA

Welcome
Apologies
Minutes of the 2024 AGM
Presentation of reports
Honorary appointments
Election of Officers –
Subscriptions (setting of subs)
Rules – (adoption of new rules)
General business
Election of Life Members
Closure

Join us in the lounge for refreshments

Frankie Builds Androids
2025-09-19 19:00 - 2025-09-27 21:00
Get ready for a high-voltage blast of fun as wires cross, sparks fly, and a young inventor dares to be different in Frankie Builds Androids — a hit new musical with serious heart!
Frankie isn’t your average kid. While others are trying to fit in, he’s busy building androids that dance, sing, and maybe feel a little too much! But when his latest robot causes classroom chaos, Frankie must team up with unlikely friends, face a few malfunctions, and discover what it truly means to belong.
Performed by a talented cast of young stars aged 8–13, this fresh new show is packed with catchy songs, clever comedy, and dazzling choreography that’ll have audiences buzzing. Frankie Builds Androids is a celebration of creativity, courage, and coding – your own way.
Perfect for kids, families, and anyone who’s ever felt like they didn’t quite fit the mould. If you love robots, musicals, or simply great storytelling, this is one show you won’t want to miss.
Perfect for families, school groups, and anyone who loves a story with brains, heart, and rhythm!
Robots, rhythm, and ridiculously good fun — Frankie Builds Androids will light you up!
Book your tickets now and plug into the magic!

AUDITION FOR TOM DICK & HARRY
2025-09-28 19:00 - 21:00
AUDITION FOR OUR END OF YEAR SHOW – Sunday 28th September 7pm 2025.

Playhouse Productions present an Amateur Community Theatre Production of Tom, Dick and Harry. A farce by Ray and Michael Cooney.

Tom and Linda are nervously waiting their final inspection by the head of the adoption agency. Unfortunately Dick returns from a smuggling expedition to France with brandy, cigarettes and two illegal refugees. Hospital porter Harry embarks on an ambitious plan to reduce the price on a house Tom and Linda want to buy, which involves body parts stolen from the mortuary…..
A suspicious policeman, the formidable Mrs Potter and Andreas discovers the illegal brandy….
With brothers like these, Tom needs no enemies!

CAST:
Tom Kerwood. Late 20s/30s likeable, mature older brother
Linda, Late 20s/30s. Bright and sparky
Dick Kerwood 20s/30s. Lovable rogue
Harry Kerwood 20s30s. A genius but thick!
Katerina. Kosovan. Late 20s/30s. Confident but dangerous.
Andreas. Katerina’s Kosovan grandad. In his later years.
Constable Downs. Police Officer. Any age relevant to his job.
Mrs Potter. Formidable woman. 30s to 50s.
Boris. East- European 30s-40s. Dangerous.

REHEARSALS:
Tuesday, Thursday and Sundays. 7 to 9/9.30

We’re looking for quick-thinking, fit performers for the three brothers and cast with great comedic timing.
Any questions to TJ holly.tj2020@gmail.com or 021 189 2099.

Babooshka
2025-10-31 19:30 - 2025-11-08 21:30
BABOOSHKA – Bold, Witty, and Wonderfully Honest! Like the Russian doll ‘Babooshka’, five women peel away the layers to reveal more than you might expect. A chance encounter in a department store changing room provides the backdrop for this unexpected, frank and witty play.
Step into the spotlight and strip back the layers of five fierce, flawed, and funny women.
A fast-paced, satirical take on body image, fame, and finding yourself. Layers will be shed. Truths will be told. Laughs guaranteed.
R16 Language. Content may offend. Trigger warning: contains negative body image & eating disorder themes.

Directed by Erin Mulholland

Tom, Dick & Harry
2025-11-28 19:00 - 2025-12-06 21:30
Tom and his wife are about to adopt a baby — it’s the happiest day of their lives… or at least it would have been if Tom’s well-meaning brothers, Dick and Harry, hadn’t decided to “help.”
Their efforts quickly spiral out of control, resulting in two illegal immigrants, a van full of contraband cigarettes, and one very inconvenient dead body!
With the arrival of the Supervisor from the Adoption Agency and the local Police Constable, Tom’s quick thinking is pushed to the limit. But surely things can’t get any worse… can they?
Oh yes, they can!
Dick and Harry’s ever-helpful plans go from bad to utterly disastrous, adding a Russian Mafia mobster and a reality TV crew into the mix. Then it really starts to get complicated!
We’re thrilled to present this Amateur Community Theatre Production, by special arrangement with Samuel French Ltd and Play Bureau Ltd.

The Secret Lives of Extremely Old People - Encore Season
2026-02-25 19:30 - 2026-03-01 16:30
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND AS THE PREVIOUS SEASON WAS SOLD OUT.
“THE SECRET LIVES OF EXTREMELY OLD PEOPLE”
ENCORE SEASON
Five fictional nonagenarians share their fascinating stories. They riff, they rant, they rebel, they remember. Tragedy hovers and death is drawing close. So why do they say they are lucky? Deeper than data about old age, their stories are startling, exhilarating and moving.
Playwright Rachel McAlpine was shocked to the core when her GP predicted she would live to 99. Like most people, she had opinions about very old age but no experience. She asked local people in their 90s about their lives and found their revelations broke all the stereotypes. She also walked the footpaths of Wellington, asking people how they see their life unfolding at 90. The play, “The Secret Lives of Extremely Old People” erupted from those conversations. Overall, the success of the play depends upon character, and mercifully, the script avoids patronising stereotypes.
Writer Rachel McAlpine said of the previous SCDL production, “The director, cast, crew, and production team are to be commended for their courage in mounting what in many ways is a difficult play, and for putting across the issues with considerable warmth and good humour. They are to be congratulated on the patent success of their undertaking. Well done all!”
Only five performances
Wednesday 25th Feb 7.30 pm.
Thursday 26th Feb 7.30 pm.
Friday 27th Feb 7.30 pm.
Saturday 28th Feb 2 pm.
Sunday 1st Mar 2 pm.
Buy tickets online at iTICKET and at the Timaru Information Centre
THE PREVIOUS PERFORMANCES WERE QUICKLY SOLD OUT SO BUY TICKETS SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.

Dreamland Project - Workshop
2026-03-07 10:00 - 14:00
Dreamland Project Workshop –
Help Write the League’s Future

The Dreamland Project is our working guide, a living document designed to keep the South Canterbury Drama League strong, efficient, and a society we can all be proud of.
But the League is nothing without its members and supporters.
That’s why we’re inviting you to join us for the Dreamland Project Workshop a collaborative, creative brainstorming session where every idea is welcome.
🗓 Saturday, March 7th, 10.00am–2.00pm📍 The Playhouse
Together we’ll explore everything that shapes our future, including:

Shows, events and programming ideas

Growing audiences and membership

Strengthening connections with schools, artists, cultural groups and local organisations

Training in acting, directing, writing, technical theatre and governance

Sound, lighting and technical development

Enhancing facilities and front-of-house experience

Creating a welcoming, inclusive environment for all

Looking after volunteers

Have an idea you’ve always wanted to share?Now’s your chance.
Whether you’re a performer, technician, volunteer, supporter, audience member, or simply passionate about theatre, your voice matters.
✨ Come help write the next act of the League’s story.🥪 Lunch is on us (please advise any dietary requirements).
📩 RSVP by March 4th, 2026 for catering purposes: manager@dramaleague.org.nz
Let’s dream boldly and shape the future of our League together.

Shrek The Musical
2026-04-16 07:00 - 2026-04-25 21:00
Get ready for a hilarious, heartwarming fairy-tale adventure with Shrek The Musical! (DreamWorks)
Based on the Oscar®-winning DreamWorks film Shrek and the beloved book by William Steig, this larger-than-life stage production brings everyone’s favorite ogre to life in a dazzling musical spectacle.
Join Shrek, a grumpy but lovable ogre, whose peaceful swamp is suddenly invaded by fairy-tale misfits. To reclaim his home, Shrek sets out on an unforgettable quest alongside a fast-talking Donkey and the feisty Princess Fiona. Along the way, they encounter dragons, villains, and plenty of surprises!
Filled with catchy songs, vibrant costumes, laugh-out-loud comedy, and a powerful message about friendship, love, and embracing who you truly are, Shrek The Musical is perfect for audiences of all ages.
Don’t miss this magical, muddy, and monstrously fun experience!

Petite Plays
2026-06-11 19:00 - 2026-06-12 21:30
🎭 Petite Plays
11th & 12th June 2026
Funny. Whimsical. Farcical. Anarchic.
Get ready for a wild, theatrical ride.
Petite Plays are small but perfectly formed, some only a few minutes long, bringing together a vibrant collection of short works written by local playwrights. Expect an evening of infinite variety, where no two pieces are the same.
From a cheeky Chaucerian rewrite, “The Miller’s Tale”, to the sci-fi horror “Fingers and Thumbs”, these bite-sized plays cover the full gamut of theatre. Fast-paced, surprising, and full of character, there’s something here for everyone.

✨ The Plays & Playwrights

Welcome to Existence – Joe Smith
Kiwiana – Elizabeth Contreras
8 or 12 Weeks? – Cate Bauer
Fingers and Thumbs – Wayne Doyle
Bible Basher – Esther Ashby-Coventry
The Miller’s Tale – Harry Kirkwood
Best Mate – Suze Smith
A Most Useful Instinct – Suze Smith
The Final Draft – Suze Smith

🎟️ Performance Details
ONLY TWO PERFORMANCES📅 Thursday 11th & Friday 12th June 2026
💲 Adults: $20🎓 Students: $15

School Holiday Theatre Programme - This programme is now FULL!
2026-07-06 09:00 - 2026-07-09 18:00
This programme is FULL!!! You can still sign up though to go on our wait list. If a spot becomes available we’ll be in touch.

The South Canterbury Drama League invites registrations for the School Holiday Theatre Programme on at the Playhouse from the 6th – 9th July 2026.

Your tutors Ben Donaldson, Leah Simmons and Emily Rentoul are looking forward to taking students through this fun, jam packed, four day programme of theatre.

Open to children aged 7+ this programme will provide an opportunity for learning in a fit for purpose theatre. A fantastic, fun programme for newcomers and experienced performers alike, will help children learn, polish and develop skills in theatre. At the end of the four days, the participants will put on a performance of their learnings from through the week. This is always a highlight.
Acting techniques/dance/singing/and much more..
DATES: Mon 6th – Thurs 9th July.
TIMES: 9-3pm Thurs 9-finish
PERFORMANCES: Thurs 9th July 3pm and 4.45pm
(your child must be available for these performances to take part in the programme)

NON MEMBER – $220 (INCLUDES MEMBERSHIP)
MEMBER – $195
*FAMILY DISC. take 10% off participation fee *discount not included in membership portion.

Please wait for an invoice to be sent.
REGISTER HERE

Come From Away
2026-07-24 19:30 - 2026-08-08 21:30
Set to a pulsating music blend of Irish folk/rock, COME FROM AWAY is based on the true story of the time when the isolated community of Gander, Newfoundland, played host to the world. What started as an average day in a small town turned into an international sleepover, when 38 planes, carrying thousands of people from around the globe, were diverted to Gander’s airstrip on September 11, 2001.
Undaunted by culture clashes and language barriers, the people of Gander cheered the stranded travellers with music, an open bar and the recognition that we’re all part of a global family.
