In response to an explosion of independent creative makers in Auckland, Q Theatre is providing a pathway to the next level.

The Big Idea editor Cathy Aronson talked to Q Theatre chief executive James Wilson and Matchbox producer Sarah Graham. Listen to the interview and read more below.

Q Theatre lives in an interesting space in the Auckland arts ecology, geographically and metaphorically. The back steps entrance to Greys Avenue carpark connects to Basement Theatre and the Q front door on Queen Street is a pathway to Auckland Live’s bigger venues.

“Whilst we’re really close to each other geographically, there’s not such a clear pathway for artists who maybe cut their teeth at the Basement, move up to a bigger space (at Q) and then want to look at taking on The Civic or the Town Hall,” says Q Theatre chief executive James Wilson.

Instead of ‘owning’ a work, James says the venues are progressively working together to support people through different stages.

Works that began life at the Basement have gone on to Q.  Likewise Bullet Heart Club's Daffodils, originally at an Auckland Live development showing, had a development season and two more seasons at Q, toured in NZ, was recently at the Auckland Town Hall and is now at Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

James says the Q Matchbox development programme and venue partnership is in direct response to an explosion of independent creative makers in Auckland, partly via the prolific success of the Basement.

“We have a lot of artists whose work is really great now and has developed really fast. But maybe their understanding of business or infrastructure hasn’t been able to develop at the same speed. So Matchbox is about helping them grow their market.”

Originally called Q Presents, the programme was renamed Matchbox this year as Q Theatre, which started as primarily a venue for hire, approaches its fifth birthday with more co-presenting, partnerships and joint ventures. Especially as Auckland Theatre Company’s move to the waterfront later this year “blows open what we can do in our main space”.

So Matchbox was born and as producer Sarah Graham describes it, the programme has all of the fitting metaphors like lighting a creative fire, theatrical fire brands, sparks of potential and explosive works. She says its a big experience where producers and companies can learn a lot quite quickly by working with a venue to put on a show.

It’s not just a straight hire or risk share, they work together with the different strengths and needs, says Sarah.

“The process is going more towards ‘how can we develop people’ and ‘how can we present that work to an audience’.”

The companies learn about the practical logistics, business and marketing to put on a show and work in partnership with a venue. From opening up the books for transparent budgeting to making connections with Q staff including ticketing, hospitality and production managers.

“It’s an opportunity for people to hone those skills but at the same time to present to an audience that’s a little bit wider.”

Skills that are transferable when they negotiate venues touring nationally or internationally, says Sarah. It’s not just about a particular project, it’s about strategy, long term thinking and the capacity to take it to the next level.

Both James and Sarah know what it’s like to be thrown into a production role and learn on the job to make independent work. James at Massive Company, where the role was recognised and supported for strategic guidance as the ‘alchemist of the impossible’ to pull everything together. Sarah started as a stage manager, actor and moved into producing and co artistic director at Outfit Theatre.

“There’s something exciting about making ideas happen and being the initiator of those ideas,” says Sarah.

What did they learn?

James: Surround yourself with people who are awesome and draw on their experience. NZ has a generous arts sector, asking to test an idea is a great way to build networks. Get a handle on the funding landscape.

Sarah: Work with people that can challenge and excite you. You learn a lot under pressure, so set yourself a deadline to learn the fastest. See a varied amount of live artistic experiences.

It’s all about networks and developing relationships over time, says James. From introductions to private patrons to PANNZ, who have an office at Q, and Tour-Makers general manager Louise Gallagher was on the Matchbox selection panel.

To select the final three from the original 20 applications each year, about six are invited to pitch their ideas, so the panel can gauge their confidence in it.

This year’s shows are Everything Anyone Ever Wanted, by Black Sheep Productions in June, Leilani by Mahuika Theatre Company (on now from August 4-13) and Don Juan by A Slightly Isolated Dog in October 27- Nov 12.

Q Matchbox are currently selecting the 2017 shows. James and Sarah say while it’s great to see the success of the companies, they are also learning as a venue at the same time and each year the programme adapts as they grow.

• Matchbox is supported by Arts Regional Trust (ART). James and Sarah are both graduates of ART Venture, an acceleration programme of ART for Auckland creative entrepreneurs, delivered by The Big Idea.  ART and The Big Idea have also joined forces with Q Theatre, Auckland Live and Basement Theatre to deliver an upcoming professional development programme for producers called Pulse.