Ōtautahi Christchurch’s remarkable Cubbin Theatre is Company-in-Residence at Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre.
Cubbin Theatre is the only specialist theatre company for the very young in Aotearoa, devising unique shows that are deeply informed by child development research.
The residency gives Cubbin Theatre space to perform and rehearse, a co-working base, and access to marketing and publicity support. The Arts Centre recognises that internationally some of the most innovative theatre is produced for infants and toddlers, and that Cubbin Theatre is at the vanguard of this movement in New Zealand.
Cubbin Theatre’s distinctive approach prioritises the needs of their very young audience. Their critically acclaimed show, Up and Away, for infants who cannot yet walk was developed in collaboration with a Speech Language Therapist and is performed to very small numbers inside a gently lit teepee, where the audience can crawl around safely. In March 2025, Cubbin Theatre performed this show by invitation at the prestigious ASSITEJ International festival in Marseille, France.
Based in Ōtautahi Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand, Cubbin Theatre Company makes high quality, respectful and playful theatre for very young children. Founded in 2018, Cubbin was created to make genuine theatre works for babies and toddlers, and is currently the only company in Aotearoa dedicated to this age group.
Cubbin’s works include Up & Away, Play Play, Me and My Nana, Sportsball, Cubbin Concert and Bundle Baby. The company has presented work as part of Auckland Live’s children’s programme and has toured productions to regional arts festivals across Te Waipounamu.
With support from Creative New Zealand, Cubbin will once again present an annual programme of theatre at Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre in 2026 and 2027, creating welcoming experiences for the local community.
Cubbin’s vision is a world where high quality art is as integral to early childhood as the playground. Their performances are designed to be an easy and joyful part of your day, offering time to slow down and notice the wonder of your child. Cubbin Theatre Company became a charitable trust in 2023.
