Nelson Musical Theatre

Nelson Musical Theatre Nelson Musical Theatre is a community-based theatre group in Nelson, New Zealand.

Nelson Musical Theatre has been a part of the Nelson Theatre Scene since the late 1800s. One of the oldest Musical Theatre Societies in New Zealand, we have been creating amazing shows for over 120 years. While we stage high quality shows ourselves, we are also happy to work with anyone in the community that would like to write, produce, or direct a musical.

Meet our amazing cast ✨Introducing…Maree Hatton as Violet Newstead!With 20 years in local theatre both on and off stage,...
01/09/2026

Meet our amazing cast ✨

Introducing…Maree Hatton as Violet Newstead!

With 20 years in local theatre both on and off stage, Maree's favourite roles include Nancy in Oliver!, Alice Beineke in The Addams Family, Sarah in The Naked Truth and Morgan Le Fay in the Camelot panto.

She knew she wanted in on 9 to 5 from the moment she started reading (or, more accurately, laughing her way through) the script. It’s a show packed with female empowerment, friendship and solidarity, workplace equality and standing up to injustice, all wrapped up in something ridiculous and laugh-out-loud fun.

Maree adores playing Violet. She’s sassy, clever and one tough cookie, but kind, thoughtful and caring underneath. Sound familiar? Maree reckons it might be, just a little.

Her promise to audiences: "This show is full of laughs, it's fast paced, fun, full of fantastic music, and the people putting it together are all super talented and amazing - you won't regret seeing this show!"

_____________________________________

Introducing…Laura Rollinson as Judy Bernly!

Laura has been in musical theatre since 2010, including a run of Auckland shows (Rent, Jekyll & Hyde, Carousel, Into the Woods) and several years teaching, before a break to raise her kids. Since moving to Nelson she's back in the game, most recently with My Fair Lady last year.

Laura loves Judy - she’s sincere, sweet, a little naive, and exactly the kind of person everyone needs in their life. She has a soft spot for playing reserved characters who finally let loose and discover their own strength, which makes for a fun challenge as an extrovert. Bonus: they're both self-confessed trivia lovers.

Laura says doing this show has been pure joy: "It's lovely to be in a show that really celebrates friendship... I love how upbeat it is and how easy it is to find myself tapping my foot to the songs during the day."

Why will you love it? "It's a great bit of escapism from every day life, and you come away feeling like you can take on the world. It's the perfect show to see with friends!"

_____________________________________

Introducing…Kameta as Doralee!

Kameta has been on stage since she was eight or nine, cutting her teeth with Soundstage before landing roles in Beauty and the Beast, Mamma Mia, Macbeth, Disenchanted, Ghost, Little Women and most recently That Bloody Woman. A stint living in Australia even saw her complete a Howard Fine Arts course and pick up some background acting work before she came home to finish her Social Work degree.

After That Bloody Woman, Kameta told herself she couldn't possibly fit another show in around studying, placement and work… and then 9 to 5 was announced, and she simply had to be part of it.

She reckons she and Doralee share a fiery, protective streak. Doralee might be misunderstood, but she's fierce when it comes to the people she loves.

Kameta can't wait for you to meet this cast: "The amount of talented people we have in this cast is beyond my wildest dreams. It is so funny, uplifting and hopeful. Don't miss out!"

_____________________________________

Introducing…Nate as Franklin Hart!

Musical theatre newcomer Nate is stepping well out of his comfort zone for 9 to 5. His performing background stretches back to a couple of school plays, and that's about it. He's using this show to make new friends and get comfortable on stage… by playing thoroughly uncomfortable company boss Hart.

Nate will happily tell you he dislikes Hart intensely, but that's exactly the fun of it. He's relishing every chance to play the villain, and especially relishing the moment Hart finally gets his karma.

Expect a laugh riot: Nate says, "This show is hilarious. There isn't a dull scene the entire show."

_____________________________________

Introducing…Di Duncan as Roz!

Di is thrilled to be back in a musical after stepping onto the Nelson stage as Liz in The Tank earlier this year. Before that, her last show was way back at the start of her performing days, some 43 years ago. Being surrounded by such talented, seasoned castmates in a big, crowd-pleasing comedy like 9 to 5 feels, in her words, so good.

Di doesn't dislike Roz so much as she feels for her. Underneath the obsessive devotion is a deeply loyal, passionate and loving woman: she's just, rather foolishly and ludicrously, poured all that affection into exactly the wrong guy.

Wondering what to expect? Di promises: "It's a show with everything. Comedy, drama, song, dance. Big solo numbers with full ensemble backing. Quick-fire dialogue leading into fantastic, dramatic song performances."

Who's ready to celebrate Dolly with us next month?We've spent the last few months working hard on this hilarious and hea...
30/08/2026

Who's ready to celebrate Dolly with us next month?

We've spent the last few months working hard on this hilarious and heartfelt show. It's nearly time to share it with you and we're excited to spread the joy!

Tickets are selling fast - don't miss out!

An appreciation post for our amazing technical teams at Nelson Musical Theatre. We are super fortunate to have some incr...
29/08/2026

An appreciation post for our amazing technical teams at Nelson Musical Theatre. We are super fortunate to have some incredibly skilled lighting and sound designers supporting our society. A special thanks to Cameron Banner and Michaela Carruthers for all their help in the last weeks programming both 9-5 and A Night of Musical Theatre while also supporting the Wakefield County Players season of Something Rotten. A big thanks to Lochie for his excellent job running both lighting and sound for our Night of Musical Theatre this evening.

We also couldn't operate our Society without the support of Rage Productions, Infinity Installs and Productions, and Gravity Events who heavily discount their services to make sure we can continue to offer live theatre to the public.

These are local businesses supporting local theatre. If you get a chance please support them back!

https://www.rageproductions.co.nz/
https://www.infinitysystems.co.nz/
https://www.gravityevents.co.nz/nelson-branch

⏰ Clocking in a reminder for anyone who loves hilarious and heartfelt musicals - tickets for 9 to 5 are already 55% sold...
29/08/2026

⏰ Clocking in a reminder for anyone who loves hilarious and heartfelt musicals - tickets for 9 to 5 are already 55% sold out!

Don't work 9 to 5 waiting to book 🎭 grab yours before they're gone 🔔

The stage is set and we have some AMAZING performances lined up tomorrow! Come along to Red Door Theatre and hear Sondhe...
28/08/2026

The stage is set and we have some AMAZING performances lined up tomorrow! Come along to Red Door Theatre and hear Sondheim and Webber songs duke it out. Featuring songs from Evita, Westside Story, Phantom of the Opera, Jesus Christ Superstar, Into that Woods, Cats and more. Plus maybe a special guest performance from our upcoming production of 9-5!

There's still tickets left and at $20 it's a great way to spend a Saturday night!

A Night of Musical Theatre: Webber vs Sondheim Join us at Red Door Theatre on Saturday 29 August at 7:30pm for the next instalment of our popular A Night

Want to be a part of Nelson's newest choral sensation? There's an information meeting for our new choir Encore! this Sun...
27/08/2026

Want to be a part of Nelson's newest choral sensation? There's an information meeting for our new choir Encore! this Sunday 30th August at 3pm at Red Door Theatre (next to Founders Park). Come along and hear more, perhaps give a song a go and see if this is going to be the choir for you!

If you can't make the information meeting and want to learn more send an email to [email protected].

26/08/2026

We love you Dolly ❤️ It’s such a privilege to perform your music! We hope we can do you and your songs proud next month🎶

NMT is so saddened by the passing of Dolly Parton. 💔Dolly was so much more than a country music icon. She was a truly ge...
26/08/2026

NMT is so saddened by the passing of Dolly Parton. 💔

Dolly was so much more than a country music icon. She was a truly generous soul who used her success to give back — from her Imagination Library, gifting millions of books to children, to her support of education, healthcare, disaster relief and communities in need.

Her music holds a particularly special place for us right now as we bring 9 to 5 The Musical to the stage. Our cast have loved singing her songs and bringing her incredible spirit to life under the theatre lights. 🎭

Thank you, Dolly, for the music, the laughter and the kindness you shared with the world.

The curtain may be falling, but your legacy will take an endless encore. ❤️✨

Drum Roll Please..... the winner of our A Night of Musical Theatre ticket giveaway is Alice Evatt!Congratulations, you h...
24/08/2026

Drum Roll Please..... the winner of our A Night of Musical Theatre ticket giveaway is Alice Evatt!

Congratulations, you have scored a double pass to this Saturday's "A Night of Musical Theatre: Lloyd Webber vs Sondheim, and a little icing on the cake, your favourite song "Memory" is going to be performed by one of our singers!

In fact, quite a few of those favourite songs people mentioned in the comments are going to be performed.

Alice, if you send an email to [email protected] we will make sure to get that double pass to you.

For those that missed out not to worry tickets are just $20 and available at https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2026/aug/a-night-of-musical-theatre

Show starts 7:30pm this Saturday 29th August at Red Door Theatre. Hope to see some of you there!

We are excited to announce that in Term 4 we will be running a show choir. If you are interested in singing musical thea...
23/08/2026

We are excited to announce that in Term 4 we will be running a show choir. If you are interested in singing musical theatre, pop, rock and other contemporary genres then this is the choir for you.

The choir will rehearse on Mondays starting Monday 12 October, 7:30pm at Red Door Theatre. Singers aged 16 and up are welcome to join. The aim is to have a fun, supportive choir that sings great contemporary music.

Interested in finding out more? Come along Sunday 30th August at 3pm at Red Door Theatre, have a chat to us and maybe even a little bit of a sing!

If you can't make this Sunday but would like more information please send an email to [email protected].

A huge thanks to Creative New Zealand for their support of our choir.

Address

95 Atawhai Drive
Nelson
7010

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10:30am - 2pm
4pm - 6pm
Thursday 10:30am - 2pm
Saturday 9am - 12pm
Sunday 1pm - 3pm

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Nelson Musical Theatre posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Establishment

Send a message to Nelson Musical Theatre:

Shortcuts

Share