Auckland Theatre Company invites expressions of interest for three paid residencies embedded in our 2026 season. 

The Engine Room supports artists who are ready to expand their creative practice and step into company-scale work, offering structured opportunities to learn within ATC’s productions and collaborate across departments in a professional environment. 

We are looking for three early to mid-career theatre practitioners ready to expand their professional practice within a producing-company environment. Residents will be embedded in the process of staging ATC’s productions at the ASB Waterfront Theatre—participating in planning, rehearsals, production periods, and performances. 

It has been an incredible joy and honour to work alongside three powerhouse directors as they expertly bring these enormous shows to port. I am emerging on the other side of the Engine Room Residency with a hunger to get on the tools, a deeper confidence in my voice as a practitioner and a great appreciation for our craft and all the incredible people who dedicate themselves to the wonderful challenge of theatre.

Katrina George (Engine Room Resident, 2025) 

Learn More: atc.co.nz/learn-and-explore/artists-and-training/the-engine-room 

Expression of Interest due by 12:00 noon, Friday 28 November 2025.
The Engine Room is made possible by a generous gift from the Friedlander Foundation.

Three Residency Positions Available:

1. Engine Room Resident: Design

Productions: Helen Clark in Six Outfits, Macbeth, Cabaret (Mar–Sept 2026)

Work alongside Dan Williams across three large-scale productions, from early concept development through fabrication to technical realisation.

2. Engine Room Resident: Direction

Productions: Helen Clark in Six Outfits, Sons of Vao, Macbeth (Mar–Apr & May–Aug 2026)

Observe three directors across diverse productions, then serve as Resident Director for the Macbeth performance season, leading understudy and continuity rehearsals.

3. Engine Room Resident: Musical Theatre Assistant Director

Production: Cabaret (ATC & Auckland Live co-production) (Aug–Sept 2026)

Gain experience in musical theatre direction, observing the integration of music, choreography, and staging. We are specifically seeking female-identifying or non-binary candidates for this position to address underrepresentation in musical theatre leadership.

Supported by Auckland Live

Express Interest by 12:00 noon, Friday 28 November 2025: atc.co.nz/learn-and-explore/artists-and-training/the-engine-room