About Us
Our Mission:
Shoestring offers a unique and immersive theatre programme for home-educated students in the Waiuku area. Guided by an experienced theatre production specialist, participants enjoy an intensive, hands-on experience that nurtures creativity, builds confidence, develops performance skills, and fosters lasting friendships in a supportive and inspiring environment.
“Drama allows children to explore their emotions in a safe environment, promoting self-expression, empathy, and resilience. Through role-play and storytelling, they gain valuable tools to understand themselves and others, ultimately supporting their mental health and emotional development.”
-Adapted from various sources on the benefits of drama in education
Our Values:
We intentionally adopt a minimalist approach to costumes, staging, props, and lighting, sourcing as much as possible from within our homeschool group.
Every successful production depends on everyone playing their part. As homeschooling parents and children, we understand that it is through teamwork, cooperation, and supporting one another that we make each production possible.
We foster a sense of belonging by creating shared experiences, encouraging active participation, and seeking opportunities to connect with the local community.
We ensure that every cast member’s voice is heard, from junior to senior, building an environment where all participation is welcomed and every contribution is respected and valued.
What is Shoestring?
Shoestring Theatre began as an ongoing collaboration between friends, Sheryl & Rob Aiken and Douglas Roberts, working together and underwriting the workshops and performances held annually in Waiuku, Auckland, NZ.
It is now run by a core team of parents who are supported by the drama whanau during the production weeks.
The name Shoestring came about from the conscious decision to keep costuming, props and scenery to a minimum and maintain the focus on the acting skills of the cast.
For over ten years the annual workshops and performance projects have proven to be an effective and safe environment where the students can engage in process drama that encourages personal creativity and interpersonal communication, as well as performance drama.
The two-week intensive performance project teaches them about the whole theatrical production process – from memorising the script, blocking the scenes, creating the props, trawling for costumes, and assisting with the stage, sound, and lighting design.
“Shoestring is not just simply a group of kids who perform a show on stage. They are a community, a temporary family. For me, it was a childhood dream come true. It felt as though for two weeks, I was in a dream, away from reality. Recommended for anyone, even if you don’t like acting, you may soon find that to change.”
-Cast Member
Our Directors:
Douglas Roberts and Bonnie Schäche, also known as Wingbeat Charitable Trust, work together to facilitate and direct the productions, guiding young people in the development of self-confidence through theatre skills.
With their unique approach they are responsible for the workshop teaching, writing and directing of the performances.
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“The expert casting, blocking, performance and total engagement of all the young people involved. It was a very professional show. Incredible to believe it was ALL put together in just 2 weeks. What a massive amount of learning, cooperation, life skills, and fun must have gone on. This will be a confidence boosting, possibly life changing event for many involved.”
-Audience Member
Production Team:
A core team of parents oversee vital project preparations, with the support of cast whanau and other volunteers.
“I’d say that the fun of the whole process is absolutely surreal. From that first script reading day where we find out who we are to play, to the rehearsals throughout the two weeks, and finally the three performances, creates the most amazing of experiences. It’s a blend of storytelling, emotions, and creativity that captivates both the performers and the audience.”
-Cast Member