Hannah is the General Manager and Producer for Cubbin Theatre Company. Trained at the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art in Christchurch, she began her career as a professional actor and has worked with The Court Theatre, Christchurch. Hannah developed the role of Shadow Thief for LATT Children’s Theatre, based in Seoul, South Korea. Whilst based in London, Hannah sang with the Fourth Choir performing in Europe and the UK. As a performer for Cubbin, Hannah has created Up and Away, Play Play, Me and My Nana and Cubbin’s album ‘Cubbin Music – Songs for children under 5’. Hannah lives in Christchurch and is a mother to Winnie (4 years) and Lilian (2 years) and is passionate about telling stories for the very young. Hannah is a board member of PAYPA – Performing Arts and Young People Aotearoa, the New Zealand arm of ASSITEJ.
Organisation/Company
Name: Cubbin Theatre Company
My Role: Producer
Based in Ōtautahi Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand, Cubbin Theatre company makes quality, respectful and playful theatre for the very young. Cubbin began in 2018 from a desire to develop genuine theatre works for very young children and is the only company in Aotearoa making work for this age group. Previous works include: Up & Away, Play Play, Me and My Nana, Sportsball and most recently Cubbin Concert. Cubbin Theatre Company has performed as part of the Auckland Live children's offering with Up and Away and Play Play and has toured Up and Away and Me and My Nana to regional Arts Festivals in Te Waipounamu. Thanks to Creative New Zealand, in 2024 Cubbin presented an annual programme of our theatre works at Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre for our community in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
We want our performances and experiences to be an addition to your day that brings you back to the wonder that is your little one.
Bundle Baby
Artform: Theatre for the very young
Development Status: In Development
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Synopsis
What’s at the bottom of the laundry basket?
Bundle Baby, a gentle show made for babies and toddlers aged 8 months to 2 years and their grownups, exploring the magic of the laundry basket. Puppets and peek a boo! A show of softness, simplicity and surprises.
Babies and laundry go hand in hand, and our own children have inspired this concept. Something so simple can become a vehicle for magic and play: the socks, the pegs, the many, many tiny cloths and even the basket itself. There are so many things to hold and handle, throw, flap, hang and arrange.
Part of the creation of Bundle Baby will be looking at the intense development milestones that occur during this toddler time and how parents can foster their child’s development through everyday play.
Some elements we will explore are:
Physical developments such as walking, kneeling, sitting by themselves, crossing the midline, grasping items small and large, and carrying objects. Communication developments such as: copying sounds, understanding their name, pointing to things, speaking 2 -3 word sentences.
Bundle Baby will have a simple story line and music, and will be designed with elements that can be directly recreated at home, further reinforcing the creative experience and enabling creative play and connection between parent and baby. There will be an interactive element, with audience provided with soft cloths to play and explore with. As with all Cubbin shows, children will be invited to engage on their own terms and however they respond is respected.
This work is currently in development. It will have a development season in June 2025 at Cloisters Studio at Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre in Christchurch. Cubbin Theatre are seeking interest in presenters and partners to support to the further development of this new work and specifically how we can scale this work for larger audiences.
We have identified a need for creative experiences for this specific age group and Bundle Baby would sit well alongside our other current Cubbin offerings for very young children.
Cubbin Theatre are pioneers in respectful theatre for the very young in Aotearoa and are committed to honouring the special and important time of babyhood.
Creative Team and Crew
Director: Melanie Luckman
The Performing Arts Network of New Zealand (PANNZ) Arts Market is New Zealand's premiere event for artists, producers, presenters and industry leaders from across the performing arts sector.
The Performing Arts Network of New Zealand (PANNZ) Arts Market is New Zealand's premiere event for artists, producers, presenters and industry leaders from across the performing arts sector.
The Performing Arts Network of New Zealand (PANNZ) Arts Market is New Zealand's premiere event for artists, producers, presenters and industry leaders from across the performing arts sector.