Long Cloud Youth Theatre

Running into the Sun was originally made in Wellington with the Long Cloud Youth Company in 2021.

It was reworked in 2024 by ex Long Cloud AD Ben Ashby with Nadiyah Akbar and a2 Company, and won Best in Theatre at the Melbourne Fringe.

It is coming back to Pōneke for the first time and we would love to see you all there.

"Dancing, Clowning, a smoking jazz band, political activism, climate apocalypse and parenthood. This is messy, joyous, heartfelt and completely off the chain. " - Melbourne Fringe, Judges Comments.

https://www.teauahaevents.com/home/running-into-the-sun

Kia ora Long Cloud whānau! 🌥️

Nosiphi here—after some reflection, I’ve decided to step down as Artistic Director of Long Cloud Youth Theatre. It’s been an amazing journey working alongside incredible young creatives and practitioners. 💛

As we look ahead, Long Cloud is going on hiatus in 2025. While we don’t have the resources to keep productions and workshops running for now, this isn’t the end. Long Cloud has gone quiet before only to return stronger. 🌱

Before I go, here’s something special—a music video we made last year, one of my absolute fave projects! I’ll leave this here for your viewing pleasure. 🎥✨

If you have a project that fits the Long Cloud spirit, email us at [email protected]—we’d love to hear from you!
Thank you to everyone who’s been part of this journey and helped make Long Cloud a force in Aotearoa’s theatre scene. The kaupapa lives on in all of you. 🌟

Arohanui,
Nosiphi Mapukata, Ben Asby and Stella Reid

Deep Blue Music Video Music Video by LC 2023

Testing the limits of over head projection in “You Have to Laugh or You’ll Cry” 📸 🤩

Omgomgomgomg just got the offical pics from “You Have To Laugh or You’ll Cry” and you get first peak! I also have a little secret for you… our next project will involve adapting this devised show in a short film 👀 but more deets on that later for now enjoy this pic captured by w more to come 😜

✨ That’s a wrap! ✨ Over the weekend, we closed a 5-show season of ‘You’ll Have to Laugh or You’ll Cry’ after 8 weeks of devising. It has been a whirlwind of laughter, and it’s so sad to see the process wrap up. We’re feeling exceptionally lucky to have worked with such a talented and adaptable cast and crew. It’s always a joy to put on a show!
E mihi ana ki ngā kaitautoko: Wellington City Council, Screen Arts Department at Massey University, Te Auaha, Te Whaea - National Dance & Drama Centre, Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School, Ben and Sarah (who own our performance space) We couldn’t do it without you all! Your support helps keep theatre alive!
And a special shoutout to , the iconic drag performer, for the fabulous wigs! 💖
Thank you to everyone who came to see the show, see you at the next one 😜

Anddddd just like that You Have to Laugh or You’ll Cry is officially in season. We have 4 more shows left and limited seating, so if you’re one to laugh or cry this is the show for you! Tickets starts from $10, theres no excuse not to come ;)

Moments from You Have to Laugh or You’ll Cry, which opens tonight! 7pm 226 Victoria street Only a few tickets left for tonight, we’d love to see you there 💗✨🤸🏾‍♀️

You Have to Laugh or You’ll Cry opens next week! We’re feeling incredibly lucky to have designing the show! Come see our exploration of ideas around making hard decisions, failure + expectations, facing rejection and much more. This show is hilarious, beautiful and ultimately joyful much like the sentiment of our title. TIX R SELLING FAST GET YOURS TODAY!!!!

🌟 Don’t Miss Out! 🌟 Dive into a world where laughter and tears collide in “You’ll Have to Laugh or You’ll Cry” by Long Cloud Youth Theatre! 🎭✨

🔮 Witness the Magic of live projections and immersive storytelling.
😂 Laugh at the Comedy skits and scenes that hit close to home.
🌱 Feel the Hope as rangatahi share their real-life challenges and triumphs.

🗓️ When: 10th - 13th July 7pm
📍 Where: 226 Victoria Street
🎟️ Get your tickets NOW! Link in bio

Join us for an unforgettable night of emotion, humor, and heart. Be there or miss out on the magic! 💫

Meet the cast of our upcoming show ‘You’ll Have to Laugh or You’ll Cry’, a unique devised theatre piece performed in a found space in central Wellington

This innovative production utilizes live projection and camera feed to bring a series of thought-provoking stories to life. Structured as short skits or scenes, each piece touches upon the challenges faced by rangatahi, infusing a sense of lightness, comedy, and hope.

Much like the sentiment of the title, this performance encourages us to explore how joy can be an everyday act of resilience.

With a 5 show season from the 10th - 13th of July, TICKETS GO LIVE TOMORROW SO MARK IT IN YOUR CALENDARS! ✨🤸🏾‍♀️

ALUMNI ALERT!

Ella Gilbert and Samuel Austin are both multidisciplinary artists who have made their mark at Longcloud.

Ella’s recent credits include: Valerie in The Gone (TVNZ,BBC) season 1 and 2 (still shooting). Elisabeth in ‘Skin Tight’ (Circa Theatre. Winner outstanding performance- Wellington Theatre awards.)

Samuels recent credits include: ‘Wellington Paranormal’ ‘ After The Party’ and Low Down Dirty Criminals’

WE’RE OPEN FOR AUDITIONS! Wednesday 1st May 2024, 6-9pm is your time to shine! For this show we’re specifically looking for gender, sexuality and culturally diverse members :)

Based in central Pōneke/Wellington, Long Cloud makes multiple brand new, experimental projects each year with actors aged 16-25. You will become a better actor and artist, strengthening your skills through practical performance experience and the opportunity to work with Wellington’s foremost directors and tutors.

Long cloud is looking for young actors to join the company for our next scripted show! Our next show is a devised theatre piece that incorporates live camera feed and projection We’ll be creating the show across 8 weeks ending with a 4 night performance season.

If you are successful in your audition, you’ll join the company, hitting the ground running with work on our upcoming show. You’ll work intensively training voice, movement and acting for stage and screen. You will grow as an artist and be able to make connections and relationships in the professional Wellington theatre scene.

We rehearse at Te Auaha (Dixon street) on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Rehearsals for this project start on Monday the 13th of May and the performance season is 4 nights from the 11th to the 14th of July 2024

Please bring a short (around one minute) monologue of your choice (modern text preferred). Wear comfortable clothes that are easy to move around in. Email us on [email protected] to apply or with any questions.