BATS Theatre

28/08/2026

This September, we're stoked to be bringing TAHI Festival to BATS!

With a stellar line-up of independent shows (one night only!) & TAHI shows, you'll want to get in quick to nab those tickets and enjoy the amazing mahi showcasing this month.

Students: Every Wednesday is Student Nights ✨️ $10 standby tickets - come chill, find your people and watch our fab shows for less.

26/08/2026

📣 BATS COMMUNITY HUI! 🦇

Kia ora BATS whānau. Come hang with us!

🗓 Saturday 29 August
🕔 5–6pm
📍 BATS foyer
💻 Can’t make it? Join us online!

Come kōrero, ask questions, share your whakaaro and hear about what’s ahead for BATS.

And stick around for closing night of We’re Weird For Other Reasons and Bug Songs, Not Love Songs! 🎭

If you're keen to join online, pop a comment below & we'll be in touch

Interested in joining online? Leave a comment & we'll be in touch with more information soon!

Looking forward to seeing you there 🐞🦇

18/08/2026

Kia ora BATS whānau!

I wish to advise that Tania has resigned from her role as General Manager of BATS.

Tania has led BATS during a period of significant change for the organisation and challenging conditions across the wider arts sector. The Board acknowledges the work undertaken during her tenure, thanks Tania for her contribution and service to BATS, and wishes her well for the future as she moves on to pursue her passion projects.

If you have any BATS business that you wish to discuss during this transition period, please feel free to contact me or the rest of the BATS team are available through the usual contact channels.

Ngā mihi

Tui Te Hau
Board Chair
BATS Theatre Charitable Trust

17/08/2026

Ever noticed how it gets harder to make good friends as you get older? 🤔

With their trademark whimsical humour, Best on Tap explore this theme in their new show Find Your Tribe 🙌

31/07/2026

BATS programme for August 🦇
This month we are lucky to host The Sublet, an improv takeover of the building, for all improv lovers, you’ll get spoiled…

See you at BATS 👋 🦇

30/07/2026

Ever dreamed of showcasing your ideas at Aotearoa’s most creative arts festival? 💜 🦇

We are officially opening pitches for everyone wanting to present their work during the NZ Fringe Festival 2027 edition at BATS.

For all info, it’s here: https://bats.co.nz/about-bats/news/pitch-for-nz-fringe-2027/

28/07/2026

🌟 WIN 2 TICKETS TO the TAHI Festival HATCH Showcase! 🌟

The countdown to TAHI Festival is on, and we'd love you to join us for one of the most anticipated events of the season!

📍BATS Theatre
🗓 16-19 September 2026 - 6:00 pm
🔗 tahifestivalnz.com/hatch-showcase

Sign up to our newsletter by 31 July 2026 and you'll automatically go in the draw to win two tickets to our HATCH Showcase and see this year's HATCHlings in action.

Already a subscriber? Good news – you're automatically in the draw too!

HATCH celebrates the next generation of solo theatre makers, and it's always one of the highlights of the festival. Don't miss your chance to experience these incredible new works on us!

👉 Sign up here: https://tahifestivalnz.us18.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=5e60f64d261ba586cb046ec2c&id=4bc43fa5d1
*Giveaway Terms & Conditions: Sign up to the TAHI newsletter by 31 July 2026 to automatically go into the draw to win two tickets to a HATCH Showcase performance during TAHI Festival 2026 (performance date subject to availability). Existing newsletter subscribers will also be automatically entered. The winner will be drawn at random on 3 August 2026 and notified by email. The prize is not transferable, exchangeable or redeemable for cash. By entering, you agree to receive TAHI Festival email updates (you can unsubscribe at any time). TAHI Festival reserves the right to amend or cancel the promotion if required. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram or Meta.

TAHI: New Zealand Festival of Solo Performance Email Forms

28/07/2026

🖤 What happens when loneliness, the internet and the search for belonging collide? 💊

In the deepest reaches of the online manosphere, incels (involuntary celibates) preach their dogmatic ideology, express profound hatred for women, and share their own pervasive loneliness. But what draws young men into these spaces, and why do they stay?

This verbatim solo play takes you inside the forums where isolation turns to misogyny turns to violence. Darkly funny and occasionally disturbing, blackpill interrogates an ideology that offers both belonging and misery. After a critically acclaimed 2024 development season, blackpill has its world premiere at TAHI 2026.

📅 TAHI Festival | September 2026
📍 BATS Theatre, Pōneke Wellington

Full programme coming soon...

28/07/2026

The next act begins 🦇

For 37 years, BATS has been a home where artists have taken risks, found their voices and created work that has gone on to shape Aotearoa’s creative landscape.

Like the wings of a bat, we’ve always adapted to the changing winds.
There have been times we’ve soared, times we’ve dipped, and times when we’ve relied on the strength
of those beside us.

While our funding for 2027 has been reduced, our conversation with Creative New Zealand was constructive.

They reaffirmed the important role BATS plays in Wellington as a home for experimentation, new voices and artistic risk-taking.

We’re grateful for their continued support and committed to working alongside our funders, artists and community to strengthen BATS for the future.

If you are reading this, it probably means that BATS has a place in your ❤️ and if you believe in our future, now it’s the time to show your support.

🎟️ Come and see a show: https://bats.co.nz/whats-on/
👯 Bring a friend.
🎁 If you’re able, please donate here: https://bats.co.nz/support-us/

BATS. Let’s Fly.
❤️ 🦇

14/07/2026

BATS is proudly partnering with Wellington based Law Firm Succeed Legal via our Bequest Programme 🦇
With them, you can get a Free Standard Will when you choose to include a gift to BATS theatre ❤️

Planned giving can feel mysterious, and understandably, quite intimidating!
Thanks to Amelia Wheeler and Beth McCall, senior lawyers at Succeed Legal and Arts supporters, for demystifying the process of making a will…

For all info and FAQ, go to our website 🔗 in bio 🦇