The Court Jesters are Aotearoa New Zealand’s most successful improv comedy company.
Scared Scriptless is Australasia's longest running late night comedy show and The Early Early Late Show is cult-favourite entertainment for the whole family. The Court Jesters run the Canterbury Junior and Senior Theatresports Competitions, and regularly perform at private and corporate events.
As we head into our 34th continuous year of shows we are offering the opportunity to audition for places in the 2024 COURT JESTER APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMME. The Jester Apprenticeship Programme is currently the only way to become a full member of The Court Jesters. Successful applicants will receive a year of training with The Court Jesters and multiple performance opportunities.
This year auditions will be held on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 August 2023 and will take the form of a free 2-hour workshop in small groups with Senior Jesters Dan Pengelly and Gabby Wakefield and Jesters Producer Flore Charbonnier.
We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, communities, orientations, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to building equity, diversity and accessibility in the performing arts sector.
STEP ONE: APPLY
If you have the storytelling, comedy, theatre or improvisational skills to be a Court Jester, or a passion for the form and an excellent work ethic to develop them, please apply to audition. All applicants must be the minimum age of 18 by February 2024. Applications close on Sunday 6 August 2023.
STEP 2: AUDITIONS
Auditions will be held at The Court Theatre in Ōtautahi Christchurch on 12 and 13 August 2023. If your application is successful, you will be invited to audition in person to a 2-hour workshop with Senior Jesters Dan Pengelly and Gabby Wakefield and Jesters Producer Flore Charbonnier.
There's no need to prepare anything - we'll be running an improv theatre workshop, where you and the other applicants will bounce scenes and skits off each other, based on suggestions from our team.
Dates: 12 – 13 August 2023
STEP 3: BOOTCAMP
Some lucky applicants will join our FREE bootcamp every Wednesday 6.00pm - 7.30pm at The Court Theatre.
Dates: 21 August – 15 October 2023
STEP 4: APPRENTICESHIP
Successful bootcamp participants will officially become Jester Apprentices!
You'll spend a year learning from the Court Jesters, developing your skills in improvised theatre at our weekly workshop. There will be plenty of performance opportunities in Scared Scriptless and growing you as a future Court Jester.
Dates: From November 2023 to October 2024
Every Tuesday 5.30pm - 7.30pm at the Court Theatre.
STEP 5: COURT JESTER
You made it!
Up to 4 talented improvisors will join The Court Jesters company.
Dates: November 2024
Please contact Jesters Producer, Flore Charbonnier with any questions about the Apprenticeship Programme.