Red Leap Theatre

What Red Leap Theatre does

Red Leap Theatre is a Charitable Trust (CC44261) founded in 2008 and headquartered at Corban Estate Arts Centre in Henderson, Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand. The company produces original devised physical theatre, creating works that integrate dynamic physicality, arresting imagery, and ensemble-driven storytelling — beginning with The Arrival (2009, commissioned by Auckland Arts Festival) and now spanning nine major productions including Paper Sky, Sea, Dust Pilgrim, Kororāreka, Owls Do Cry, Moe Miti, Dakota of the White Flats, and Wrest, with Cygnet scheduled for August 2026.

The company's underlying technology is its proprietary Red Leap Devising Process — a codified methodology combining physical theatre techniques, ensemble collaboration, and design-led world-building, packaged as a 190-page Devising Toolkit authored by co-founder Julie Nolan. The product portfolio is layered: live theatrical productions performed at festivals and touring venues; per-show education resource packs (video, written, and full-package variants priced $59–$295) targeting NCEA-aligned drama curricula; international (Full Flight) and domestic workshops; a Summer School programme for ages 15–20; artist development via The Greenhouse (7-day workshop with $1,200 production budget) and Te Mahi Tahi weekly company classes; plus merchandise and the Toolkit book sold via the company's own e-commerce storefront.

Red Leap operates a hybrid nonprofit revenue model combining ticket sales (via Eventfinda), education resource licensing, workshop fees, merchandise sales, and a tiered donor programme ($150–$5,000 annual subscriptions). It serves multiple customer segments — theatre audiences, secondary/tertiary drama educators, young performing artists aged 15–20, and emerging/established theatre makers — and operates across New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Korea, and Taiwan. The company is funded by Creative New Zealand, Auckland Council, Foundation North, and several regional charitable trusts. In 2022, Ella Becroft became Artistic Director as the company transitioned to a Legacy Organisation.

Name

Red Leap Theatre

Legal name

Red Leap Theatre Charitable Trust

Website

https://redleaptheatre.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Red Leap Theatre is an Auckland-based Charitable Trust producing original devised physical theatre, education resources, and international workshops for audiences, drama educators, and young performing artists across New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Theatre

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Performing Arts Companies (7111)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Touring Theatre Productions (MPAGABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Theatre Education, Training & Conservatories (MPAGABAN), Theater & Drama Education (Acting, Improvisation, Musical Theater) (EDAMAAAG)

Keywords

• Devised physical theatre
• Live theatre productions
• Education resources
• Theatre workshops
• Artist development

Headquarters

HQ city

Henderson, Auckland

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Theatre Ticket Sales: Revenue from live theatre productions performed at venues across New Zealand and internationally, including touring productions.
2. Education Resources: Sale of comprehensive education resource packs for each production, including filmed recordings, interview footage, resource booklets, and teaching materials for drama educators and students.
3. Donations and Supporter Programme: Charitable donations from supporters at four tiers ($150-$5000/year) with associated benefits including newsletters, rehearsal viewings, donor-only events, and annual double passes. All donations $5+ are tax-deductible as a Charitable Trust.
4. Workshop Fees: Revenue from professional development workshops for teachers, international workshops for students, summer school programmes, and school residencies.
5. Gift of Theatre: Gift certificates sold at $20-$150 that serve as donations while providing specific benefits like workshop access, venue hire contributions, or audience seats for students.
6. Merchandise: Sale of merchandise including t-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, and the Red Leap Devising Toolkit book authored by Julie Nolan.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Red Leap Theatre is a devising theatre company from Aotearoa New Zealand that creates and tours original live physical theatre productions, sells production-specific education resource packs and a published Devising Toolkit book, and delivers in-person and online theatre workshops and artist development programmes for schools, teachers, and young performing artists domestically and internationally.

Product overview

Red Leap Theatre is a devising theatre company from Aotearoa New Zealand, offering a portfolio of distinct products and services centered on original physical theatre. The portfolio consists of: (1) Live theatre productions including Cygnet, Wrest, Dakota of the White Flats, Owls Do Cry, Moe Miti, Kororāreka, Dust Pilgrim, Sea, Paper Sky, and The Arrival; (2) The Red Leap Devising Toolkit by Julie Nolan, a comprehensive 190-page guide to their devising methodology; (3) Production-specific education resources available as full packages or component parts (video, written, language edit) for The Arrival, Paper Sky, Owls Do Cry, Dust Pilgrim, Kororāreka, Wrest, and Dakota of the White Flats; (4) The Full Flight International Programme offering ensemble-driven, design-led physical storytelling workshops with in-person, online, and alumni components; (5) The Mad Flight Programme, a devising template for secondary school students; (6) Summer School, a two-week intensive for ages 15-20; (7) Teachers' Workshops providing professional development; (8) Artist development through The Greenhouse (directors' workshop) and Te Mahi Tahi Classes (weekly company class); and (9) In Conversation with Red Leap, a live video presentation. The company also offers merchandise including T-shirts. The offerings interrelate through shared devising philosophy and methodology, with productions serving as source material for education resources, and educational programmes extending the company's reach into schools and communities globally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Mad Flight Programme: A devising template for creating a dynamic production with students in year levels 9-13, using H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds as a jumping-off point.
• The Greenhouse
• Education Resources
• Red Leap Devising Toolkit
• Full Flight Programme

Products and services

• Cygnet Non-verbal, visually captivating theatre production featuring puppetry, bold physicality, and live projection for ages 8+, based on Lara Ehrlich's short story exploring swan bride folklore. Performed for general theatre audiences and school groups.
• Wrest Surreal crime thriller set in a neo-noir world combining theatre, dance and cinematic imagery, exploring the monstrosity and mundanity of early motherhood. Performed for general audiences.
• Dakota of the White Flats High-action pulpy punk noir adaptation of Philip Ridley's novel featuring two brave young women in a fantastical setting with electronica music, comedy, horror and live music. Performed for general audiences.
• Moe Miti Devised Pasifika work featuring choreography, indigenous instrumentation, evocative text and technology, exploring family, identity, migration and reconciliation. Performed for general audiences.
• Owls Do Cry Adaptation of Janet Frame's novel transformed into a multi-disciplinary dreamscape through physical and visual styles, featuring multi-media, dance, live music and song. Performed for general audiences.
• Kororāreka: The Ballad of Maggie Flynn Original New Zealand sea-shanty production exploring the legacy of women in colonial history, set in the era of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, featuring a charismatic heroine's journey from convict to captain. Performed for general audiences.
• Dust Pilgrim Intimate coming-of-age tale of Panuelo's fight for freedom in a magic realism setting, combining movement, puppetry, props and sound to create atmospheric theatrical worlds. Performed for general audiences.
• Sea Physical storytelling piece about a boy snatched from his mother by the sea and raised by a raft people, exploring themes of greed, identity and belonging through finely choreographed sea creature sequences. Performed for general audiences.
• Paper Sky Tale of light, love and courage as two worlds meet in a writer's mind, exquisitely crafted combining imagery, movement and text. Performed for general audiences.
• The Arrival Adaptation of Shaun Tan's award-winning graphic novel, a universal migrant tale with fantastical imagery featuring giant flying ships and curious creatures; winner of six Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards. Performed for general audiences.
• Red Leap Devising Toolkit by Julie Nolan 190-page book guide to Red Leap's devising methodology, filled with practical exercises for classroom use, interviews and advice from leading New Zealand theatre and dance artists. For drama educators, students, and theatre practitioners.
• The Arrival Education Resource Comprehensive education pack for studying The Arrival, including filmed interviews with Co-Artistic Directors Kate Parker and Julie Nolan, a short show reel, and a digital Education Resource Booklet. For drama educators and students.
• Paper Sky - Full Education Resource Education resource package including recordings, script access, and a 20-page PDF Education Resource Booklet with Director's Notes, Devising Process, Conventions, Elements & Techniques, and Design notes. For drama educators and students.
• Owls Do Cry Education Resource Devised theatre education pack based on the Red Leap adaptation of Janet Frame's novel, featuring filmed interviews with actors, director and AV designer. For drama educators and students.
• Dust Pilgrim Education Resource Full theatre bundle for studying Dust Pilgrim, including professionally filmed recording, devising process notes, designer interviews, and NCEA assessment specifications. For drama educators and students.
• Kororāreka Education Resource Complete devised theatre education experience including filmed interviews with creative team, video trailers from development workshops, Director's vision and design notes. For drama educators and students.
• Wrest Education Resource Full devised theatre package including an exclusive 4-episode podcast with the creative team, comprehensive PDF Education Resource Booklet with Director's vision, research notes, devising exercises, and NCEA Drama curriculum connections. For drama educators and students.
• Dakota of the White Flats Education Resource Full devised theatre package including professionally filmed recording, filmed interviews with creative team, and PDF Education Resource Booklet with Director's vision, devising process notes, design breakdowns and drama conventions. For drama educators and students.
• Full Flight International Programme International workshop programme offering ensemble-driven, design-led physical storytelling through in-person workshops, professional development for teachers, sustained online engagement, Red Leap Alumni Global Network and ongoing mentorship. For international schools, students and teachers.
• Aotearoa Workshops Domestic New Zealand school workshops, residencies and the Mad Flight Programme delivered directly to schools across the country. For NZ secondary schools and teachers.
• The Mad Flight Programme Devising template for creating dynamic productions with students in years 9-13, using H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds as a jumping-off point with teacher-led and Red Leap artist-supported process. For NZ secondary schools and drama teachers.
• Summer School Two-week devising programme for young performing artists aged 15-20, creating a 45-minute physical theatre piece with Red Leap directors including Artistic Director Ella Becroft. For aspiring young performers and tertiary audition preparation.
• Teachers' Workshops Professional development workshops for educators, including a presentation on Approaches to Devising Theatre and a practical devising masterclass. Held internationally in Australia, Hong Kong and other locations. For drama teachers and classroom educators.
• The Greenhouse Development opportunity for devising theatre makers offering a 7-day development workshop facilitated by Artistic Director Ella Becroft, with $1,200 budget, rehearsal space, industry mentor sessions and a work-in-progress showing. For emerging and established theatre directors and makers.
• Te Mahi Tahi Classes Weekly company class uniting artists across Red Leap projects, building ensemble, fitness, skills and company culture while introducing new artists to the company. For performing artists and Red Leap community.
• In Conversation with Red Leap 1-hour live video presentation providing insight into Red Leap's devising process and practice. For theatre practitioners, students, educators and engaged audiences.
• Gift of Theatre Certificates Gift certificates priced at $20-$150 that serve as donations while providing specific benefits such as workshop access, venue hire contributions, or audience seats for students. For gift-givers supporting Red Leap's mission.
• Red Leap Merchandise Branded merchandise including long-sleeve t-shirts, sold through the online shop. For supporters and audiences.

Quantifiable outcome

• The Arrival won 6 Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards including Best Production and Best Director
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Corban Estate Arts CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAuckland arts venue providing rehearsal space and headquarters location for Red Leap Theatre. Red Leap utilises this space for company operations, Te Mahi Tahi classes, and artist development programmes.
• Te Pou TheatrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAuckland theatre venue that hosts Red Leap productions and Summer School performance showings for family and friends.
• Q TheatrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAuckland theatre venue that has premiered multiple Red Leap productions including Owls Do Cry, Kororāreka, and Dust Pilgrim.
• UWCSEA East Campus (Singapore)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational school that hosts Red Leap workshops for Drama and Theatre students in preparation for IBDP Collaborative Theatre Projects.
• Geelong Arts CentremajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustralian arts venue hosting Red Leap Teachers' Workshops in February 2026.
• Brisbane Girls Grammar SchoolmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustralian school hosting Red Leap Teachers' Workshops in February 2026.
• Canadian International School of Hong KongmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational school in Hong Kong hosting Red Leap Teachers' Workshops in March 2026.
• QPAC BrisbanecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorQueensland Performing Arts Centre hosting Dakota of the White Flats touring production in May 2026.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Frantic Assembly: UK-based physical theatre company known for devising original ensemble-driven work and delivering extensive education/training programmes for teachers and students. Most directly comparable to Red Leap in combining devised physical-theatre productions with a structured education ecosystem.
• Kneehigh Theatre: Cornwall-based devised physical theatre company producing original ensemble work for all ages with strong festival touring credentials. Comparable to Red Leap's visual storytelling, devised methodology, and festival-touring GTM.
• Trickbox Theatre: Auckland-based devised physical theatre company producing original ensemble work and delivering education programmes to schools. Direct New Zealand peer with similar devised-physical methodology and education monetisation.
• Indian Ink Theatre Company: Auckland-based original devised theatre company producing original work and touring internationally. Comparable NZ peer with similar artistic profile and touring model.
• Polyglot Theatre: Melbourne-based devised theatre company specialising in immersive, visual, non-verbal work for young audiences with international touring and education programmes. Comparable to Red Leap's visual/physical storytelling and youth audience focus.
• Arena Theatre Company: Melbourne-based professional theatre company producing devised physical theatre for young people with national/international touring. Comparable in audience segment, devised methodology, and festival distribution.
• Massive Theatre Company: Auckland-based devised theatre company producing original ensemble work for young audiences with established education programmes. Closest NZ-based direct peer by audience and methodology.
• Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP): Sydney-based theatre company producing original work for young audiences with integrated education, workshop, and artist development programmes. Closest Australian analogue to Red Leap's youth-focused devised work and education revenue stack.

Broad incumbents

• Complicité: Internationally renowned UK devised physical theatre company. A scaled-up, established version of what Red Leap aspires to: original devised ensemble work with international touring, education programmes, and a distinctive methodology.

Emerging players

• Mortal Fools: UK-based devised theatre company producing original work for young audiences with integrated education and outreach programmes. Comparable in mission and education-anchored model, though at earlier stage of development.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/red-leap-theatre

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Red Leap Theatre