The Court Theatre is proud to run Theatresports™ in Schools, Aotearoa New Zealand’s longest-running youth Theatresports™ competition. With hundreds of students participating each year from all over Te Waipounamu South Island, this programme builds confidence, creativity, and teamwork while celebrating the joy of improvisation.
School teams of up to six perform scenes and games based on audience suggestions, scored by a judging panel of The Court Jesters. Teams who progress through the heats will compete in their local regional final, with the winners of each region coming together for a Te Waipounamu South Island grand finale hosted at The Court Theatre.
Theatresports™ Professional Development
The Court Theatre’s Education and Engagement Team is running a one-day Professional Development workshop on Thursday 30 October 2025 for teachers on how to use improvisation as a learning tool in the classroom, how to teach improvisation, and how to manage and coach teams of students for the Theatresports™ in Schools Competition.
Competition Dates 2025
Heats: The Court Theatre, City Centre
Finals: The Court Theatre, City Centre
Saturday 16th August
Heat 1 – 10am (9am call time)
Heat 2 – 1pm (12pm call time)
Heat 3 – 4pm (3pm call time)
Sunday 17th August
Heat 4 – 10am (9am call time)
Heat 5 – 1pm (12pm call time)
Heat 6 – 4pm (3pm call time)
Canterbury Regional Final: Sunday 24th August 6:30pm* (call time of 5pm)
South Island Finals: Sunday 31st August 6:30pm* (call time of 5pm)
Heats: The Court Theatre, City Centre
Finals: The Court Theatre, City Centre
Saturday 22nd November
Heat 1 – 10am (9am call time)
Heat 2 – 1pm (12pm call time)
Heat 3 – 4pm (3pm call time)
Sunday 23rd November
Heat 4 – 10am (9am call time)
Heat 5 – 1pm (12pm call time)
Heat 6 – 4pm (3pm call time)
Finals: Saturday 29th November at 3pm (with a call time of 1:30pm)
- 1 Team (Junior/Senior): $250.00 (exc GST)
- 2 Teams (Junior/Senior): $460.00 (exc GST)
- 3 Teams (Junior/Senior): $630.00 (exc GST)
- 4 Teams (Junior/Senior): $720.00 (exc GST)
Please note: Years 7-9 are Junior and Years 11-13 are Senior. Students in Year 10 may choose whether to compete in the Junior or Senior category (but are only permitted to perform in one of these).
In the 2025 Competition teams are able to enter more than one Junior or Senior Team.
Registration fees cover entry into the competitions as well as professional sessions with a Court Jester.
We do have scholarship places available for schools who are unable to fund the registration fees, please email us at education@courttheatre.org.nz for more information.
Our coaching sessions are a great opportunity for teams to tap into the expertise of The Court Jesters and gain valuable tips and tricks for the competition. Sessions are for teachers and coaches of Junior and Senior teams and will be held on-site at The Court Theatre, Christchurch City Centre.
Coaches and Teacher Training:
Monday 9th June 4:30pm – 6pm, at The Court Theatre **please note change of date from previously advertised**
The cost for this training session is included in the registration fee.
Coaches and Teacher Training Professional Development Day:
Term 4, Thursday October 30, 9:30am-3:30pm, at The Court Theatre
The cost for this day-long session is $250pp, GST included. Please click here for more information and to book.
Senior Teams Training Session:
Sunday 3rd August, 1pm – 4pm, at The Court Theatre
The cost for this training session is included in the registration fee.
Junior Teams Training Session:
Sunday 9th November, 1pm – 4pm, at The Court Theatre
The cost for this training session is included in the registration fee.
In-School Improvisation Training Sessions:
Schools that would like to receive further improvisation training from The Court Jesters may arrange for in-school tutoring. Please contact education@courttheatre.org.nz for more information and a quote.
Theatresports™ is created © by Keith Johnstone and is a trademark of International Theatresports™ Institute, registered in the USA, Canada and other countries. All rights reserved. Production rights are exclusively managed by International TheatresportsTM Institute www.theatresports.com
Suitable for ages 8+.
Queries or Questions about Theatresports™?
Please email the Education & Engagement Team education@courttheatre.org.nz