Every child deserves brilliant theatre
“Live theatre has had a profound and powerful effect on our children.”
Theatre in Schools Aotearoa (TiSA) is a new initiative to give children access to brilliant homegrown theatre and dance.
TiSA curates an annual programme of professional shows suitable for primary schools across New Zealand.
TiSA supports schools to be hubs of creativity and celebrates children as fearless audiences!
We aim to spark children’s imaginations and encourage lifelong connections by staging great theatre in schools.
In Term 1 of 2026, we bring Java Dance Theatre (a ‘National Treasure’ - The Post) to schools in Tāmaki Makaurau and in Whāngarei/Northland. The tour is a pilot to launch TiSA, and we hope to visit more regions with more shows in the future.
Join a community that supports children to grow their creativity! Contact us to book or to find out more.
Thanks to our funders, Creative New Zealand and Auckland Council.
Java Dance Theatre - 2026 Tour
Java brings cutting-edge live dance theatre with original live music to audiences worldwide, choreographed by Sacha Copland. Java has created 22 full-length shows, performing to people all over Aotearoa, Asia, Australia, and the United Kingdom, including multiple sell-out seasons at the Edinburgh Fringe, the world’s largest arts festival.
Lynne Cardy - TiSA Producer
Lynne is a programmer and producer of Theatre for Young Audiences, with extensive collaborations across theatre companies, museums, schools, and communities in Aotearoa and internationally. For over a decade, Lynne was associate director at Auckland Theatre Company, leading Creative Learning. She is the primary contact at TiSA and is eager to connect with you.