MEET THE COLLECTIVE

Comedy Culture NZ is a theatre company and brand name for like-minded performers and producers to collaborate and grow under while championing queer, neurodiverse, differently abled voices from all cultures and backgrounds.

A young woman with tattoos, sitting cross-legged on the floor against a purple background. She is wearing a black shirt, a checkered short-sleeve shirt, black shorts, and black boots with white socks. She has shoulder-length hair with blonde and brown highlights and is resting her chin on her hand, looking to the side.

bridie thomson (she/they)

Creative Director, Producer, Performer

Having moved from Hawkes Bay to Auckland in early 2023, Bridie quickly learned the way to get amongst things in the Comedy scene was to put the shows on yourself. And that’s exactly what they did in the Summer of 2023, they started building a production house to create and experiment under, with the intention of collaborating and growing the collective into a resource and dependable brand for performers and audiences alike without losing its DIY roots and integrity. First and foremost, it was a space for fellow queer, neurodiverse and differently abled folks to find community.

Bridie is a Theatre Maker and Performer with over 15 years of experience on stage, screen and behind the scenes. A versatile Actor and natural Comedian, Bridie excels in a vast range of comedic genres from clown to puppetry to sketch. They can also be found alongside the improv troupes Improverished, This Might Get Weird & The Ruckus.

Beyond comedy, Bridie is an MC, Comedian/Actor, DJ, Audio Describer, Producer and list-maker who loves to collaborate!

Find them @bridiethomson or bridiethomson@gmail.com

A woman with pink hair styled in two buns, wearing a colorful floral jumpsuit, standing against a purple background. She has one hand on her hip and the other resting on her head, smiling at the camera. Her left foot is raised and resting on a black stool.

Producer, Performer

Rebecca mary gwendolon (ANY/ALL)

Rebecca is a Pākehā/Māori performer (Te Rarawa, Ngai Takoto, Ngāti Awa) from Tāmaki, Aotearoa. Rebecca is an improvisor and comedian and power-house player of the Auckland improv scene; so it only made sense when they came on as a co-producer in early 2025. But most importantly Rebecca is just a Silly Billy trying to spread joyfulness in a challenging world. With a drive for creating inclusive, diverse, and accessible performances; Rebecca is passionate about pushing the boundaries of both improv and comedy. You can find them performing with many improv groups in their home city including Bull Rush, Casual First Date, Love Lamp and This Might Get Weird. He is also director of improvised theatre company, Improverished.

Rebecca is a critically acclaimed improviser, comedian, storyteller and producer who loves to collaborate! A powerhouse teacher to boot, they also thrive in creating improvised formats for both live stage shows and workshops.

Find them @rebeccamarygwendolon

COME BACK AND MEET MORE OF THE COLLECTIVE SOON, THIS PAGE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION