Auckland Theatre Company (ATC) is the largest professional theatre company in Auckland, New Zealand. It was founded in 1992 following the bankruptcy of Mercury Theatre, Auckland's original professional theatre company which had been the largest subsidised company in the country.[1]
The current artistic Director is Colin McColl who took up the position in 2003. The previous artistic director was Simon Prast, a stage and screen actor.[2]
Unlike most of the other theatre companies which receive core funding from Creative New Zealand, ATC does not operate a venue, instead placing shows in various venues around Auckland.[1] The two most-used venues are the Kenneth Maidment Theatre (commonly known as The Maidment) in the Auckland University campus and the Sky City Theatre.
Since November 2008, Philippa Campbell has been the ATC's Literary Manager.
In 2009, the company's productions included the classic Bruce Mason play The Pohutukawa Tree, directed by McColl with lead actress Rena Owen. The cast included Stuart Devenie who has also worked as a director for the company.[3] In December 2010, the Company moved into the lower ground floor of the Mt Eden War Memorial Hall in Balmoral, New Zealand, refitting the space to include their administration offices, box office and two rehearsal spaces.