CREATIVE RESIDENCIES 2026
TAHI Creative Residencies for Solo Theatre-Makers support artists to develop bold new solo work within a collaborative, well-supported environment.
Designed in response to feedback from our communities, the residencies recognise that while solo performance centres one artist on stage, the creative process is collective — grounded in connection, collaboration and whānau.
Delivered alongside our partners, the residencies provide selected artists with the time, space and support to explore new ideas and deepen their practice. This includes a paid stipend, access to dedicated rehearsal space, high-quality mentoring, and opportunities to collaborate with other practitioners across disciplines. Artists are also supported with production resources, marketing, and arts management guidance.
Throughout the residency, artists take part in regular check-ins and feedback opportunities, culminating in the presentation of their developing work as part of the TAHI Festival.
Together, the programme nurtures innovative, artist-led work and contributes to the ongoing growth of solo theatre in Aotearoa.
TAHI 2026 Creative Residents
Anna Bailey is a puppeteer with a passion for the unique flora and fauna of Aotearoa. Her shows are fun and engaging, creating empathy for endangered species while entertaining, educating, and sparking conversations about environmental issues.
She began puppeteering as an Au Pair for a puppeteering family in Italy before returning to New Zealand to create String Bean Puppets. Starting as a street performer, she has since toured kindergartens, schools, museums, libraries and festivals across New Zealand, and performed in 13 countries.
Zody Mārino Takurua is an emerging performer and theatre maker, and a 2025 acting graduate of Te Kura Toi Whakaari (NZ Drama School). Zody’s work centres Queer and Māori stories, with credits including The Haka Party Incident, RURANGI, and The Undertow.
In 2025 they continued to develop new Takatāpui Theatre through Te Pou Theatre’s KOANGA playwrights programme and the APHIDS residency at LA MAMA theatre in Naarm.
Anna Barker is a Pōneke-based actor and creative with a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre (Acting) from Te Herenga Waka. Working across acting, devising, and publicity, she specialises in the wild, the wacky, and the comically absurd.
Her work has earned multiple nominations for NZ Fringe and Wellington Theatre Awards, including Most Promising Emerging Newcomer.
Mo (Mamaeroa) Munn is a multi-disciplinary artist and multi-award winning comedian based in Pōneke. Last year, Mo also debuted her first solo play Oversharer at the NZ Fringe Festival, receiving rave reviews and selling out most nights.
Mo is passionate about writing, performing and bringing together a balance of comedy and nuance in her shows.
An improviser for eight years, Mo has also toured to the USA for improv and is the producer of the NZ Improv Festival.
