About Prayas Theatre
Celebrating over two decades of South Asian theatrical arts in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Our Mission
Prayas Theatre exists to celebrate, promote, and advance South Asian theatrical arts in Aotearoa New Zealand. Through professional-quality productions, artist development, and community engagement, we bridge cultures and create spaces for stories that need to be told.
Our Vision
A New Zealand where South Asian performing arts are a vibrant, visible, and valued part of the cultural landscape.
Our Values
- Inclusive — Open, welcoming, and accessible to South Asian creatives from all walks of life
- Empowering — Brave, honest, and authentic. Telling groundbreaking stories that move beyond stereotypes
- Relevant — Reflecting and inspiring sociopolitical and cultural views of society
- Collaborative — Forging partnerships and leading the way as transformative pioneers
- Community-focused — Powered by, and for, the community
Two Decades of Stories
Founded in Auckland over 20 years ago, Prayas Theatre began as a small group of passionate artists determined to bring South Asian stories to New Zealand audiences. What started as community-driven performances has grown into one of Auckland's most respected independent theatre companies. Over two decades, we have produced 13+ productions, supported hundreds of artists, and welcomed thousands of audience members into our world of theatre.
In 2025, we celebrated our 20th anniversary with Pitara — A Box of Memories, a three-night celebration at TAPAC that played to near-capacity audiences and brought together artists from across our history.
Now, as we look to the next 20 years, Prayas is in a new phase — a relaunch with a refreshed committee, new energy, and an ambitious vision for the future of South Asian performing arts in Aotearoa.
Our Journey
20 Years at a Glance
Charandas Chor — Prayas is Born
Founded in Auckland. Our maiden play — a folk tale about an honest thief — launches two decades of South Asian theatre in Aotearoa.
The Terrace
A contemporary Indian play in English. Prayas breaks away from folk theatre to explore modern urban life.
Our Street
Created with Auckland City Council's Wesley Community Project. Young people explore identity and belonging through theatre.
Khoj & Bauls of Bengal
Two productions in one year. Khoj adapts Rohinton Mistry; Bauls brings Bengali folk tradition to Aotearoa stages.
Beyond the Land of Hattamala
6 days, 12 shows at Random Acts of Christmas. An adaptation of Badal Sircar's classic proves there's an audience for South Asian theatre.
Kingdom of Cards & Ganga
Celebrating Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore's 150th anniversary alongside a production exploring identity through the sacred river.
Rudali & Dacoits at Diwali
Rudali — the story of professional mourners — earns a return season at the Herald Theatre. Community engagement grows.
Thali & Rudali at Herald Theatre
A theatrical platter of short plays at Auckland Fringe Festival, plus Rudali's prestigious second season at the Herald.
A Fine Balance & The Mourning After
Adapting Rohinton Mistry's epic novel for the first time, alongside a powerful story of loss and displacement set in Sri Lanka.
Love and Stuff
Prayas' first full comedy. 11 years in, the company shows it can do funny as well as powerful.
Swabhoomi & Samaroh
Swabhoomi traces 150 years of Indian migration to Aotearoa. Samaroh expands our reach beyond traditional theatre.
Dara & First World Problems
Mughal India meets Basement Theatre. Dara explores power and empire; FWP launches a new generation of South Asian voices.
A Fine Balance & FWP 2.0
Two major productions. The novel returns with a fresh cast, plus FWP 2.0 features 21 artists and 10 directors.
YĀTRĀ & Arohan
Prayas adapts to COVID with innovative formats. The journey continues despite lockdowns.
First World Problems 3.0
New homegrown writing. Works written during lockdown investigating gender, relationships, and intergenerational conflict.
Dhaba on Devon Avenue
TAPAC season. Broadway World calls it "a passionate and eloquent drama." Returns to Waiheke Island in 2023.
The Clay Cart — Mricchakatika
A 5th-century Sanskrit masterpiece staged at TAPAC. 16 actors bring ancient India to life in this love story and political satire.
Tiffin Box
21 artists. 11 pieces. A smorgasbord of South Asian performance at Basement Theatre.
Pitara — A Box of Memories
20th anniversary celebration. Three near-sold-out nights at TAPAC. Audiences moved to tears and left in splits.
The Next Chapter
New committee, new energy, new website. Planning for the next 20 years of South Asian theatre in Aotearoa.