About Us

Matthew stepped into theatre at eleven, playing Oliver in the NYT’s production of Oliver! at the Aotea Centre. Since then, he has continued performing and directing, building a diverse and growing CV of roles and productions. In 2024, Matthew co-founded Rising Star Productions NZ with his good friend Hugo. Through this venture, he has thoroughly enjoyed bringing productions like The Trail to Oregon (2024) and two cabaret performances (2024, 2025) to life. Matthew values the collaborative spirit of theatre as he gets to work alongside peers, watching creativity flourish, and experiencing the magic that happens when people sing, dance, and act together. He looks forward to what Rising Star Productions NZ will create next.

Since the beginning of time (about age 12) Hugo has been incredibly passionate about theatre. From playing in the band to acting on stage to designing sound and lights, he's pretty much done it all. Hugo has Musical Directed for children's and amateur theatre shows with Encore!, Harlequin Theatre, and Stage Antics. By day, Hugo is a sound and lighting technician working on a wide range of productions from Auckland's biggest theatre spaces right down to primary school productions. For Hugo, the best part about running Rising Star Productions NZ has been the opportunity to collaborate with his friends, new and old. He is so proud of the community we have gathered so far and hopes it will continue to grow as we do.

Nick has been a keen performer and director since a very young age, when he would cast his brothers and sisters in shows he would put on for his extended family. He has participated in musical theatre at many companies across the wider Auckland region, including Encore Theatre Collective, Centrestage Theatre Company, Bravi Theatre, and Stray Theatre Collective. Whilst currently studying medicine at the University of Auckland, Nick has enjoyed the creative outlet theatre has provided. He has been a cast member of all previous Rising Star shows, and made his directorial debut with The ABCs of Musical Theatre in (2025). No matter how busy he gets, he hopes to always keep the performing arts in his life in some way, shape, or form.

Sam began his theatre journey at just five years old, joining local drama groups where he learnt the foundations of performance through plays, classes, and theatre games. Growing up in a family of theatre fanatics, enrolling in these groups wasn’t exactly his choice, but he’s very glad his parents steered him onto the stage. In recent years, Sam has performed, directed, produced and musical directed a wide range of productions across the Auckland theatre scene. He has also been involved in every Rising Star show to date. Rising Star Productions NZ has been an especially exciting and rewarding part of Sam’s journey, offering a creative space with endless opportunities and no barriers. Theatre has always held a meaningful place in Sam’s life, and he’s incredibly excited to see where the next chapter will lead.