Founded on principles of community
Wellington Footlights accept auditions for members throughout the year, usually just prior to a new show and contingent upon current numbers and gender imbalances. You can also apply to be an associate member (non-performing) who have all the same rights as other Society members.
In return for a small membership fee, members are entitled to a number of benefits:
In return for a small membership fee, members are entitled to a number of benefits:
- voting for which shows the Society will produce
- voting for their committee representatives
- social events paid for by the Society
- workshops with industry professionals paid for by the Society
- free stand-by tickets to any Footlights shows in which they are not performing
- concession tickets to shows produced by our sister company, Red Scare Theatre Company
Becoming a member
The Wellington Footlights Society was founded in 2014 by Michael Stebbings, Ellie Stewart and Bruno Shirley. Stebbings, originally from the UK, noted an absence of high quality performance societies in Wellington producing medium-sized musical work and wanted to create an organisation that would fill this niche.
Wellington Footlights' collective structure is unusual among Wellington theatre companies. Instead of having performers audition for individual shows, with upcoming productions chosen by a small group of core production company members, the Wellington Footlights Society is member-run. Anyone can audition to be a member of Footlights, but only members can perform in shows - and once a member has joined the Society they are free to participate (or not) in any show the company puts on.
The driving concept behind The Wellington Footlights Society is community. Society members build a relationship with each other that extends beyond the lifespan of a single show, and as we continue to make work together we build upon our existing talents in a supportive, encouraging environment.
We also encourage each other to step forward and take on new roles behind the scenes. Our Taking The... revues have all used a shared directing model, where different numbers were directed by different members of the Society. Members have also stepped up to learn the ropes as production managers, lighting designers & technicians and other backstage roles across the course of our shows.
Wellington Footlights' collective structure is unusual among Wellington theatre companies. Instead of having performers audition for individual shows, with upcoming productions chosen by a small group of core production company members, the Wellington Footlights Society is member-run. Anyone can audition to be a member of Footlights, but only members can perform in shows - and once a member has joined the Society they are free to participate (or not) in any show the company puts on.
The driving concept behind The Wellington Footlights Society is community. Society members build a relationship with each other that extends beyond the lifespan of a single show, and as we continue to make work together we build upon our existing talents in a supportive, encouraging environment.
We also encourage each other to step forward and take on new roles behind the scenes. Our Taking The... revues have all used a shared directing model, where different numbers were directed by different members of the Society. Members have also stepped up to learn the ropes as production managers, lighting designers & technicians and other backstage roles across the course of our shows.
