GOING GLOBAL - DARGAVILLE LITTLE THEATRE
A group of passionate local performers are heading to Monaco to represent Aotearoa at one of the world’s most prestigious amateur theatre festivals.
Incorporated in 1963, Dargaville Little Theatre can trace its roots of public performance to the early 1900s. A cornerstone of local culture, the theatre's mission has always been to provide and foster quality performing arts opportunities for the local community – through performances, workshops and training, entertainment events, facilities, and the promotion of new works from their members.
In recent years, this small but mighty 80-seat theatre has successfully staged numerous large-scale productions including Grease, The Sound of Music, and The Wizard of Oz, which saw a cast of 41 bring the yellow brick road to life. With sell-out seasons reaching total audience numbers of over 800 people, Dargaville Little Theatre is well supported by the community. The theatre’s commitment to fostering new talent and developing locally produced works has led to national recognition for acting and playwriting through TheatreFest – New Zealand’s competitive platform for amateur theatre.
It was through TheatreFest that the seeds of an extraordinary journey were planted. In 2022, eight local women and Dargaville Little Theatre members entered Out of Mind – a story of women navigating life inside a psychiatric institution in 1950s New Zealand – into the national competition in Wellington. An original musical play written by Snells Beach resident Deborah Steele and composed by Julianne Parkinson of Dargaville, the play won the prestigious Book of Honour – the top accolade and a remarkable milestone for the small rural theatre.
A year later, the group received a call from Theatre New Zealand inviting them to submit Out of Mind for consideration at Mondial du Théâtre, the world’s most esteemed amateur theatre festival, held every four years in Monaco. The team reunited, relearnt the show, and filmed a submission – then waited 11 nail-biting months for the decision.
The result? Out of Mind was officially selected for the 2025 festival. The group will join performers from 18 countries, in what is a global celebration of amateur theatre, not a competition – making selection by the committee the most prestigious honour for an amateur theatre group. Each selected group performs twice, participates in workshops and social events, and shares their local experience through Q&A sessions.
With no grants available, the team is fundraising every step of the way to cover travel and accommodation. They’ve taken Out of Mind on the road with successful shows in Warkworth and Tauranga, attracting nearly 200 attendees over one weekend. More performances are planned for Dargaville, Whangārei, and Kerikeri in July. The community has rallied behind them with donations, local events, and a wave of encouragement – a true reflection of the spirit that drives Dargaville Little Theatre.
Representing New Zealand on the world stage is an immense honour – and for this rural theatre group, it’s the epitome of creating meaningful performing arts opportunities. As they showcase their talent, these women will also demonstrate what small communities can achieve with passion, purpose, and a shared belief in the power of storytelling.
To follow their journey, support the team, or grab tickets to upcoming shows, visit their Givealittle page or check out Dargaville To Monaco on social media.
www.GiveALittle.co.nz/cause/Help- Dargaville-Little-Theatre-Get-To-The-World