PLAYMARKET - HISTORY - GOVERNANCE - FUNDING - STAFF
Playmarket
New Zealand Playwrights’ Agent. Advisor. Bookshop.
Our vision is for quality New Zealand plays receiving quality productions.
Our focus is the development, support and representation of New Zealand playwrights. We are a key advocate for the continued growth of New Zealand theatre on our stages and coordinate a range of resources, services and opportunities for playwrights.
AGENT
The rights and interests of playwrights represented
The Playmarket Agency, headed by Murray Lynch, issues and manages performance licences, advises on and negotiates commission and collaboration agreements, manages royalty payments, maintains an archive of playwrights’ work and materials related to it and circulates their plays to producers and theatres in NZ and internationally.
ADVISOR
Practical support and advice to those in the business of writing plays
Our script advisors focus on supporting playwrights to write. Coordinated by Jean Betts and Stuart Hoar, and making use of a raft of resources, industry knowledge, partnerships and networks we work to support all New Zealand playwrights.
Playmarket’s Auckland office runs a development programme for Maori and Pasifika playwrights, funded by ASB Community Trust and led by Jenni Heka. This programme acts as an advisory service and also manages a number of projects in partnership with local bodies.
BOOKSHOP
NZ plays available to everyone, everywhere
With a comprehensive store of New Zealand plays (published and unpublished) and managed by Pania Stevenson, the bookshop exists for all your play reading needs and enquiries.
History
Playmarket was founded by Robert Lord, Nonnita Rees, Judy Russell and Ian Fraser in 1973 to encourage the professional production of New Zealand plays and was registered in 1975 as a non-profit making incorporated society. The organisation began life in a tiny nook in the former toilet block opposite Downstage Theatre, Wellington, known as the Taj Mahal and occupied by Downstage administration.
In its first eighteen months Playmarket licensed a total of 15 productions, the first being Balance of Payments by Robert Lord. By comparison, we currently license almost 400 productions of New Zealand plays each year in New Zealand and internationally.
Governance
Incorporated Society members (made up of past Board Members and Playmarket Directors) meet annually to review activities, receive the annual report and elect the Board. During the year the Board meets at least four times a year to determine policy, establish the budget and monitor the activities of the organisation. The current Board comprises:
Chair:
Andrew Caisley (Auckland)
Board members:
Bronwyn Tweddle (Otaki), Alister McDonald (Dunedin), Danielle Grant (Auckland), Brent Thawley (New Plymouth), Catherine Fitzgerald (Wellington), Grace Hoet (Rotorua).
The Board employs the Director who employs all other staff.
Funding
A not-for-profit organisation is one that “does not distribute its surplus funds to owners or shareholders, but instead uses them to help pursue its goals.” (Wikipedia.com)
Playmarket currently receives major funding from Creative New Zealand’s Arts Leadership Investment (Toi Totara Haemata) programme. Their support is vital to our operation.
We also receive funding towards the running of an Auckland office and our Maori and Pasifika Advisor position from ASB Community Trust.
We receive funding from individuals and organisations, local authorities and patrons towards various programmes. We also receive general support through a membership scheme.
Playmarket receives revenue from our commission on licences and book and manuscript sales.
Staff
Director
Murray Lynch
Murray oversees all of Playmarket’s operations. As head of the Agency he is the one to contact with licence enquiries and the first port of call for clients. Murray is based in the Wellington office but travels to the main centres regularly.
+64 4 382 8464
Office Manager
Pania Stevenson
Based in the Wellington office, Pania is responsible for the day-to-day running of the organisation and is available to take all enquiries. She also manages school and education enquiries, programmes, and the bookshop.
+64 4 382 8462 ext 1
Script Advisor
Jean Betts
Jean coordinates all script development programmes from the Wellington office and is available to advise playwrights on a wide range of issues.
+64 4 382 8462 ext 3
Script Advisor
Stuart Hoar
Stuart is responsible for Playmarket’s script development activities in Auckland and is available to advise playwrights on a wide range of issues.
+64 9 365 2648
Maori and Pasifika Advisor
Jenni Heka
Coordinating Playmarket’s significant development programme for Maori and Pasifika Playwrights in the Auckland region, Jenni networks between playwrights, producers and practitioners to support and encourage continued growth in this area.
+64 9 365 2648
Communications Coordinator
Aneta Ruth
Based in the Wellington office Aneta looks after all of Playmarket’s communications including the eBulletin, media, website and membership and manages special projects and events. She also works in the issuing of Professional Performance Rights and contracts.
+64 4 382 8462 ext 2
