Vineeta Rao
Auckland, June 11, 2025
On 27 June 2025, more than 250 young performers will take centre stage at Auckland’s Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre in the National Youth Theatre’s (NYT) vibrant new production of Seussical. The show marks 20 years of NYT creating not just musicals, but moments of transformation — helping young people from all walks of life, including a growing number of South Asian youth, to find their voice.
“These young people are stepping away from screens and into the spotlight — proving just how powerful real-life connection, courage, and creativity can be,” says James Doy, MNZM, NYT Chief Executive.
South Asian Voices at Centre Stage
Among the cast is Jordan Ria D’Mello, a 16-year-old Indian-Kiwi performer playing the mischievous Cat in the Hat. A veteran of 17 NYT shows, Jordan says she found her footing through the stage.
“I was very shy when I started at six years old,” she recalls. “NYT helped me break out of my shell. Now I am confident, and I love bringing characters to life.”
Her journey is familiar to many South Asian families in Aotearoa, where artistic paths are often secondary to academic and sporting achievement. Yet, as Jordan’s story shows, youth theatre can provide something just as vital — identity, expression, and community.
“NYT is more than acting,” she says. “It is where I found my people.”
Finding Your Place Through Performance
Jackson Terry, 19, who plays Horton the Elephant, grew up in Whangārei and knows how hard it can be to feel like you belong. Like Jordan, he says NYT gave him direction and confidence.
“Growing up, I tried sport and other things, but it was not until musical theatre that I really found my place,” he says. “There is something special about being part of a team on stage.”
Why Seussical?
Seussical is a madcap musical that weaves together beloved characters like Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat, and more. Its central message — “a person is a person, no matter how small” — is a perfect fit for a theatre company built on inclusion, self-belief, and joy.
It also echoes a wider theme many migrant families will recognise: the importance of being seen, heard, and valued, no matter your background.
Theatre That Reflects Our Communities
For 20 years, the National Youth Theatre has given over 10,000 children and students the chance to grow through performing arts — no auditions required. This open-access model has welcomed a growing number of South Asian youth, many of whom may not have previously seen themselves represented on stage.
“We are proud to provide a space where every child — regardless of ethnicity, background or experience — can shine,” says Doy.
With support from Little Umbrella and Auckland Live, this year’s production also creates backstage employment and hands-on training for young people interested in production, lighting, and costume — a career gateway often overlooked by ethnic youth.
Show Details:
Venue: Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Auckland Live
Friday, 27 June – 7:00 PM
Saturday, 28 June – 1:30 PM & 7:00 PM
Sunday, 29 June – 1:30 PM
Tickets: $35–$65 (plus booking fees)
Book via Ticketmaster
Vineeta Rao is an Indian Newslink Reporter based in Auckland.
