School Holiday Program
Boost! Building Creative Confidence for Kids
Boost! Building Creative Confidence for Kids is the Covert Theatre’s school holiday program. It’s the ideal place in Auckland for your child to develop their confidence and emotional intelligence and have loads of FUN doing it!
Boost! uses improvisation (improv) to help children get over the fear of failure and unlock their innate creativity. There's a reason improvisation now has a place at Stanford University Business School - because improv promotes not just quick and agile thinking, but important life skills such as self-awareness, collaboration, freedom from judgement and storytelling. Team dynamics are at the forefront without letting go of that playful mindset.
Designed by Wade Jackson, artistic director of the Covert Theatre, Boost! is also a safe way to venture into the world of performing arts for children who aren’t really into drama or theatre.
This program is suitable for children with all levels of experience.
School Holiday dates 2025
We run school holiday programs in the summer holidays and terms 1, 2, and 3.
2025 PROGRAMS:
Summer Holidays
20 to 24 January - $295Term 1
14 to 17 April - $235 (Monday to Thursday only, show on Thursday)Term 2
Week 1 - 30 June to 4 July - $295Week 2 - 7 to 11 July $295
Term 3
Week 1 - 22 to 26 September - $295Week 2 - 29 September to 3 October - $295
Time: 9am - 3pm daily (Mon to Fri) with optional 4pm show on Friday (60-mins).
Cost per program: $295
Age range: 8 - 12 years
Venue: Covert Theatre, 51 Mackelvie St, Ponsonby
There is a maximum of 20 children per program, so be sure to apply now.
Once paid there are no refunds unless the class has been cancelled.
If you have any questions about the program, please email comedy@coverttheatre.com
Teacher:
Nik Edwards
Nik is a qualified primary school teacher and a passionate improviser, actor, singer and dance instructor.
He loves working with young people and has worked as an educator in schools, with Tim Bray Productions Youth Theatre, P&O Cruises Australia and you may have seen him at Auckland's MOTAT.
Nik performs annually in the NZ International Comedy Festival and loves to share his knowledge and expertise of improvisation with others. He has been part of the Covert Theatre since 2014.
Teacher:
Gill Berry
After specialising in art, dance and drama at Teacher's College, Gill has taken the opportunity to combine these passions with her 23-year teaching career which has included working as a specialist drama teacher for Year 6 children. She has been involved in the improv scene since 2001 as a learner, performer and tutor and is a member of C-Suite, the Covert’s all female improv troupe.
Gill has found that the skills improv imparts are the vital equipment that children need to positively navigate life and are a prerequisite for academic learning.
What the parents say:
"The program is great, and the girls really loved it. They were both disappointed when it finished. They really enjoyed the dynamic play that the program embraces and both girls said they want to do it again.”
Miles, dad
“He came home every day telling me that he wished it would never end and that he wanted to do more. The program is 5 stars, we would 100% recommend it to all.”
Gretchen, mum
“He absolutely loved it. He was really nervous at the start but was buzzing at the end of each day and keen to get back and do it all again. He said the teachers were great and was friends with everyone by the end of the first session.”
Carina, mum