Who We Are.
The Other Theatre Company NZ Inc. is an incorporated society dedicated to offering an alternative, cutting-edge voice in the Souther Lakes arts scene. We believe theatre should be urgent, inclusive, and deeply connected to our landscape and community.
Marty Newell
Marty Newell is the driving force behind The Other Theatre Company, channeling nearly three decades of Queenstown performing arts expertise into a fresh, purpose-driven venture—mostly because no one else would build him a new sandbox. Since 1995, Marty has inflicted his presence on Showbiz Queenstown, hoarding titles like Chairperson and surviving a staggering five terms as President. Having thoroughly micromanaged every single department, from directing and acting to stage management and set design, he finally realized the only way to keep getting his way was to start his own company. Legally, this allows Marty to subject the public to workshops, train unsuspecting actors, and stage productions that are miraculously fun. For Marty, creating this company isn't just a blatant cry for attention; it’s a strategic move to secure the future of the local arts scene. By establishing a creative hub, he is ensuring the next generation of performers has a place to shine—or at the very least, a place to keep him company.
Jan Maxwell
Every independent theatre company likes to pretend they run on pure artistic passion. We actually run on spreadsheets, grant applications, and a mountain of coffee—which is why Jan is here. As Co-Founder and Vice Chairperson, she is the structural spine keeping our chaotic collective from collapsing into a tragic, unscripted mess. In her daylight hours, she functions as the Arts & Events Relationship Manager for the QLDC. In a past life, she spent decades running the local Paper Plus seven days a week, famously sourcing paperbacks for visiting Hollywood stars. Essentially, she has spent her entire life managing giant egos and logistical nightmares, making her overqualified to handle local actors. Jan co-founded the company because she knew that if someone didn’t build a proper administrative skeleton, the cast would just stand in an empty room looking dramatic. When she isn't acting as our corporate voice of reason, Jan is in the wardrobe bay, single-handedly ensuring the cast looks like a professional ensemble rather than a group of people who got dressed in the dark.
Anna McCarthy
Anna McCarthy is one of the grounding pillars of the company, channeling her passion for the performing arts and her project management skills to actually make shit happen. She signed up because she genuinely believed Queenstown needed fresh creative energy—and because she clearly didn’t have enough stress in her life. At the heart of Anna’s decision to help found the company is a simple directive: force local creatives out of their comfort zones to perform, learn, and take wild risks. She views the company as a safety net for anyone jumping at terrifying opportunities, whether that’s tackling a dream role or pretending they know how to mentor the next wave of talent. They say it takes a village to raise a child, and as a mother, Anna knows the horrifying truth of that statement. But she firmly believes it takes an even bigger village of unpaid volunteers to produce a show without ending up in tears. For Anna, it’s all about building an inclusive home where local talent can thrive on stage, backstage, and anywhere else she tells them to stand.
Eve Corbett
Eve's love of theatre began at a young age, fueled by entirely realistic dreams of one day making it big on Broadway. Eventually, reality rudely intervened, and she decided performing was probably best kept as a hobby—though she remains stubbornly reluctant to give up the spotlight entirely. Armed with a background in interior design, she has since pivoted to set design, proving there are still ways to command attention in theatre without actually having to remember your lines. Now matching her artistic eyes with the books, she steps into the role of Lady of the Ledger to keep our chaos financially compliant. A lover of singing, dancing, and the inevitable logistical nightmares that pass for "theatrical chaos," Eve genuinely enjoys community theatre—especially the people who somehow make all the unpaid labor worthwhile. As a founder, she now has lofty ambitions of one day becoming an MD or a VD. Neither acronym sounds particularly promising on paper, yet she’s bravely willing to give it a go.
What We Do.
We have a plan, and it revolves around three core pillars that we fully intend to make our entire personality:
Talent & Craft.
Because standing awkwardly on stage pretending to be a tree only gets you so far. We’re offering accessible, hands-on training across all onstage and technical disciplines. Yes, that means you can finally learn how the lighting desk works instead of just pressing buttons and praying.
Production Excellence.
We’ve legally committed ourselves to delivering high-quality, actually-engaging local theatre to the Southern Lakes every single year. No pressure on us at all. None.
Community & Culture.
We are strictly a no-diva zone. We’re building a supportive, collaborative, and deeply low-pressure environment where creatives of all experience levels can thrive. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or someone who hasn't spoken in public since your Year 10 speech, you’re welcome here. So, if you want to step into the spotlight, learn how to not break the tech gear, or just sit in the dark and judge our hard work from the audience, congratulations—your new hobby has arrived.
