Comedy Culture NZ is a Production house and collective of Comedians and Producers that champion joyful, comedic theatre! Built by and for like-minded performers and audiences, the idea was founded by recently-moved-to-Auckland Creative, Bridie Thomson, in late 2023 with the intention of filling a necessary space in the Auckland Comedy scene after noticing the lack of alternative, queer and inclusive comedy shows and opportunities in Auckland. With ambitions to form a collective of emerging alternative producers and performers to collaborate with, it quickly made sense when powerhouse producer Rebecca Mary Gwendolon (Bullrush, Improverished, Cobbled Together), already a major player in Auckland’s comedy and improv scene, joined the team as the first co-producer in early 2025. 

The Comedy Culture ethos is all about change and inclusion. Recognising the barriers that queer, differently‑abled, and neurodivergent artists face in mainstream Comedy spaces, they’ve created a space that values risk-taking, community-building, and a good, hearty belly laugh, all while carving a space for emerging comedians and creatives to thrive within. It's a platform where artists can push boundaries, explore new ideas, and share their authentic selves while audiences soak up laughter, love, and contagious, unapologetic energy. Comedy Culture NZ is a name that like-minded people can trust to champion high quality Comedy. No part of the performance space gets overlooked, with hospitality and warmth being a priority, catering for both audiences and performers alike, from the tech booth to the green room.

Comedy Culture NZ regularly produce lineup shows such as Femmes & Thems Comedy (Winner best regular show Wellington 23/24, Welly Comedy Awards and best Live Comedy Show, NZ Comedy Guild Awards 2025), Can’t Think Straight, and the Big Queer Improv Party, and are always ready to support the community of Comedy Culture performers' own indie projects too.

As Comedy Culture prepare for their first run of Fringe Festivals in early 2026 with a string of original format shows, the team look forward to the future of growing the collective and seeing the horizons broaden beyond entertainment and content and into a go-to resource for performers and curious, comedic creatives alike.

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