Published: 02/12/2022
Dr Alison Walls has been appointed the next Artistic Director of The Court Theatre, for a period of five years beginning now.
Chief Executive Barbara George is thrilled to make this announcement. “Alison was chosen from an Australasian search, drawing a strong field of artists, including a number of New Zealanders currently overseas.”
An actor, director and theatre scholar from Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington, Alison completed her theatre training at Sarah Lawrence College in New York, 2005-2007. Home in Wellington, she performed and directed for shows at BATS, Circa Theatre and elsewhere, and worked for the Wellington Summer Shakespeare, as well as Massey University and Victoria University of Wellington. Alison returned to New York in 2013 to pursue her doctorate in Theatre and Performance Studies. While in New York, she joined The Upstart Creatures as a company member and fully immersed herself in all things theatre. Seven years in New York was followed by a year teaching Theatre and Performance Studies at Governors State University in Illinois.
Alison returned to Aotearoa in 2021 to join The Court Theatre as Education and Outreach Manager. In February 2022 she took on the interim position of Artistic Director, further developing, programming and planning The Court Theatre’s compelling Ryman Healthcare 2023 Season. In the interim role, Alison has relished the collaboration with performers and creatives from Ōtautahi and around Aotearoa and Australia, as well as with the highly skilled Court team. As Artistic Director, Alison will see this exciting season through and drive the artistic vision for The Court Theatre that extends beyond 2023 and includes The Court’s new purpose-designed home in the heart of the city.
Of learning of her appointment to the role, Alison says “I am exhilarated and humbled to be chosen to lead the artistic vision of The Court Theatre for the next five years. I am deeply grateful to everyone who has made The Court such a remarkable theatre. I have loved every minute of being part of The Court and working with our talented team. And it will be an especially rewarding experience to open a new building as Artistic Director, with inspiring and compelling work that both celebrates our rich history of 51 years and propels us into this next exciting chapter.”
Ross Gumbley, former Artistic Director and now Artistic Advisor to our new Court in the City welcomed the news: “I have known Alison for little over a year and I whole-heartedly endorse this appointment. She is exactly who The Court Theatre needs to artistically transition our company into our new home. Barbara and I are very much looking forward to working with her on this. Congratulations Alison!”
“We welcome Alison to this role and thank her for her excellent work while the interim AD.” Says Barbara. Over the next few weeks we will be building the new artistic team and expect to appoint the Associate Artistic Director shortly.
For media enquiries please contact Julie McCloy, Comms and Marketing Manager
027 305 7305
Julie.mccloy@courttheatre.org.nz