Lisa Allan

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 Lisa Allan is a teacher, creator, performer and producer of theatre. She is the co-founder of the Nelson Fringe Festival and directed the event in 2015 and 2016. She lives in Nelson with her husband, Dan, and together they ran the Body in Space Theatre Company there for six years. Lisa was also part of the company’s improvised theatre troupe who presented a monthly show called The Deep End. The couple were awarded Nelsonians of the Year in Arts in 2015.

Lisa trained at the Hagley Theatre Company and whilst studying towards a BA/BSc at Canterbury University she co-founded her first independent theatre company, The Loopen Experiment. The troupe spent three years creating original and experimental theatre together and toured to South America with their physical theatre piece, Fleet, in 2007. Lisa went on to run Blackbird Theatre, producing original theatre and teaching physical theatre classes, in Christchurch for two years before moving to Nelson with Dan.

Lisa has studied with Zen Zen Zo and is a great proponent of Anne Bogart’s Viewpoints and Tadashi Suzuki’s Suzuki Method of Actor Training. She has had work produced for Maori TV, completed a directing/dramaturgical internship at the Court Theatre, won the 2002 NZ Young Playwright of the Year Competition (South Island) and performed and taught theatre workshops around New Zealand and overseas.

Lisa is the author of the children’s book, Our Cat is a Spaceship, and is also a yoga teacher, Reiki Master Teacher and the Dreamer Upper-er of Wintergreen Creative: www.wintergreencreative.cao.nz.  

Lisa Allan's reviews

The Trial

Nelson

14/03/2024 - 18/03/2024

"Fast-paced, spirited adaptation of Kafka’s dystopian tale..

"Unique, powerful and truly memorable..
BLUE Experience

Nelson

21/08/2020 - 25/08/2020

"Clear, joyful and technically precise..
ST BRIGID'S EVE

Nelson

21/08/2020 - 25/08/2020

"A Chilling Tale Beautifully Done..
MR RED LIGHT

Wellington, Blenheim, Dunedin, Nelson

15/10/2019 - 08/03/2020

"Bursting with magical, theatrical moments..

"Absurdist drama peppered with laughs, gasps and ‘wtf?/omg!’ moments..

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THE SOUTH AFREAKINS

Napier, Invercargill, Nelson, Edinburgh, Scotland, South Waikato

04/08/2016 - 01/11/2019

"Brilliant observational storytelling..

"Humour, truth, darkness and familiarity..

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CUDO

Auckland, Nelson, Tauranga

14/10/2017 - 23/10/2017

"An incredible display of fitness..

"Standout lighting, dance under development..

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ERNEST RUTHERFORD: EVERYONE CAN SCIENCE!

Auckland, Taranaki, Nelson, Christchurch

28/05/2013 - 19/10/2017

"Delightful, clever, wonderfully interactive and thought-provoking..

"Beautifully structured, utterly engaging, packed with gags..

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AN AWFULLY BIG ADVENTURE

Wellington, Auckland, New Plymouth, Christchurch, Nelson

26/07/2014 - 17/10/2017

"“What was the point?”..

"Excellent in concept and execution..

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PLAY ON

Christchurch, Taranaki, Nelson

25/08/2017 - 14/10/2017

"Admirable intentions..

"More invisible than accessible..

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HIRAETH

Nelson, Tauranga, New Plymouth, Auckland, Wellington, Wairarapa, Christchurch, Wanaka

19/09/2015 - 07/11/2015

"Feel-good theatre..

"We are the river..

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BEARDS! BEARDS! BEARDS!

Wellington, Dunedin, Nelson, Havelock North, Auckland, Edinburgh, Scotland

12/03/2015 - 28/08/2016

"Colourful characters, catchy songs, plenty of energy, great fun!..

"Full and delicious with a heart and a message..

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SQUARING THE WHEEL

Nelson, Wairarapa, Wellington, Tauranga

09/03/2015 - 24/10/2015

"Kids spellbound..

"Quirky, magical show amuses and delights..

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