George Parker

George Parker is best known for his work with influential New Zealand theatre company Free Theatre Christchurch. A critically-acclaimed actor, he also acts as Free Theatre's Manager and has served as co-producer for most of the company's recent celebrated work. A key figure in establishing the first arts-practice residency in the restored Arts Centre, The Gym, he has helped develop the space to nurture contemporary performance in the new Christchurch. He has been involved in a number of post-earthquake initiatives in Christchurch, including: elected as original representative of Arts Voice Christchurch; initiating the Arts Circus Project; conceiving and then helping establish the Festival of Transitional Architecture (FESTA). His PhD, Actor Alone, explores solo performance in New Zealand and he has published on this and other subjects relating to New Zealand theatre and contemporary performance. His MA, Stripping Men, explores male striptease and its representation in popular theatre (Ladies Night) and film (The Full Monty). He was a tutor and lecturer in the Theatre and Film Studies at the University of Canterbury and a manager of the department's influential Te Puna Toi Performance Research Project. He has continued to develop Te Puna Toi as a key part of the innovative Free Theatre New Works and Education Programme in the Christchurch Arts Centre. 

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Free Theatre's George Parker
With James Dann on RDU, 30 September 2016

​Kafka's Amerika on RDU (Morning Glory)
14 October 2014

Canterbury Tales
Lynn Freeman interviewing Tanya Muagututi'a and George Parker, Radio New Zealand Arts on Sunday, 10 October 2013'

Passion, Pulse and Power
George Parker interviewed by Eva Radich, RadioNZ

'Arts on Sunday' (RadioNZ) interview, 2010.

'Arts on Sunday' (RadioNZ) interview re '25th anniversary', 2008