Free Theatre EnsembleFree Theatre Christchurch (est. 1979) is New Zealand's longest running producer of avant-garde theatre.
Peter Falkenberg has remained Artistic Director since Free Theatre was established in 1979. Formally named Free Theatre Incorporated in 1982 (after previous names Workshop Theatre and Scheisse!! Theatre), founding members of the society were: Peter Falkenberg (President), Robin Bond (Vice President), Neil Williams (Treasurer), Sue Donaldson (Producer), Karren Beanland (Secretary and Business Consultant) and Committee Members Nick Frost, Dick Corballis, Patrick Evans, Tom Taylor, Max Hailstone and Deirdre Moen. Groups of actors, musicians and designers from diverse backgrounds worked together on projects over an extended period. Performers trained regularly, incorporating different styles, forms and media into their experimentation as a means of exploring the ideas that were central to each project. Then and now each production can involve a variety of collaborations with other organisations (recent examples include the UC School of Music, CSO, Pacific Underground, A Different Light, NASDA, Te Ahikōmau a Hamoterangi, Te Pao a Tahu). Numerous artists, writers, students, directors, designers and performers have worked in the Free Theatre over its five decades. Early members of Free Theatre were connected to Flying Nun and Caxton Press and the theatre integrated visual artists and musicians from the start. In the 1980s collaborators included Rudolf Boelee, Stephanie Johnson, Graham Bennett, Lesley Maclean, Lisa Densem, Bill Direen, Julia Allen, Lara Strongman, Nansi Thompson, Stuart Mckenzie, Charles Heywood, Martin Trusttum and Roy Montgomery. In the 1990s collaborators included Alan Brunton, Bernadette Hall, Peter Robinson, Lawrence Wallen and Mark McEntyre. We interviewed two early members of the Free Theatre Group (Nansi Thompson and Stuart McKenzie) for Digitising Performance: Conversations on the future of Live Theatre (2020). 
Members of The Free Theatre Ensemble in 2008 (Faust Chroma)
Free Theatre artists and collaborators in 2017 (The Black Rider)
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Members of The Free Theatre Group in 1984
Free Theatre artists in 1995 (Medeamaterial)
Free Theatre artists in 2000 (The Last Days of Mankind)
Doing an "Om" before the performance, a Free Theatre tradition! (Kafka's Amerika, 2014)
Free Theatre artists and collaborators in 2023 (Beggars Banquet)
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Current Ensemble Members
Recent Ensemble Members
Free Theatre Committee
Free Theatre is an Incorporated Society and decisions are made by our Committee who meet regularly to discuss Free Theatre projects and concerns. Our current Committee Members are:
President: Peter Falkenberg
Vice-President: Reuben Derrick
Secretary: Marian McCurdy
Treasurer: Greta Bond
Member: Aaron Hāpuku
Member: Sue Hassell
Since 2018 when a Strategic Plan was completed with the help of Providence Group, Michael Prentice continues to support the Committee providing advice around strategic direction.
Michael Prentice is an independent brand and communications strategist, having previously run and lead strategic development for design and advertising agencies. He has a long history of supporting the arts - including founding Chair of The Black Grace Trust (contemporary dance); Director of the Aotea Board of Management (performing arts facilities), and Trustee of Auckland Opera Studio. He is currently a member of the Arts Council for Creative New Zealand.
President: Peter Falkenberg
Vice-President: Reuben Derrick
Secretary: Marian McCurdy
Treasurer: Greta Bond
Member: Aaron Hāpuku
Member: Sue Hassell
Since 2018 when a Strategic Plan was completed with the help of Providence Group, Michael Prentice continues to support the Committee providing advice around strategic direction.
Michael Prentice is an independent brand and communications strategist, having previously run and lead strategic development for design and advertising agencies. He has a long history of supporting the arts - including founding Chair of The Black Grace Trust (contemporary dance); Director of the Aotea Board of Management (performing arts facilities), and Trustee of Auckland Opera Studio. He is currently a member of the Arts Council for Creative New Zealand.
