LOUD Creative

Hamilton!

Free FM has got your shot at FREE tickets to WQAF presents The Royal R***e coming to town next weekend!

TO ENTER: Like, share AND comment on Free FM's original post.

We're proud supporters of 🏳️‍🌈 The Waikato Q***r Arts Festival 🏳️‍🌈 and you can WIN A TICKET!

From drag and cabaret to theatre, workshops, visual art, WQAF exists to uplift q***r talent, create opportunities, and offer a home for everyone who wants to connect, create, and celebrate.

This festival isn’t just a programme, it’s a movement.
A place to make noise.
A place to belong.
A place to be seen.

Join LOUD Creative and join forces with the vibrant, diverse, and unstoppable q***r arts communities of the Waikato.

Keen to head along to the flagship event - The Royal R***e? It features KWEEN KONG rom Channel 10's , RuPaul's , & RuPaul's . She's a commanding artist, choreographer, community leader, international drag performer, AND founder of the Haus of Kong.

LIKE, SHARE, COMMENT! Winner chosen and notified Wed 15th.

Amongst all the excitement, we've also been working hard to review and revive FULL VOLUME, formerly known as our 'Stage Classes for People with Disabilities'.

Enrolments are open RIGHT NOW for Term 2 beginning April 20.

We'll be delivering two 10-week programmes out of Riverlea Theatre in Hamilton:

KŌWHAI – Monday 1-3pm (beginning April 20)
Create bold, original performance work through collaboration. This group explores devised theatre, ensemble building, and shared storytelling, building confidence and creativity as a collective.

KIKORANGI – Tuesday 1-3pm (beginning April 21)
Dive into scripts and bring characters to life. This group develops performance technique, explores theatre processes, and builds strong foundations in text-based acting and rehearsal practice.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION: tiny.cc/FullVolume

This news just in re: the script for our upcoming rehearsed play reading...

"The Terrifyingly Adorable Possibility That Someone Understands You" by our Melisa K. Martin, has been shortlisted for the Adam NZ Play Award, Aotearoa’s most prestigious award for new unproduced plays.

And you can experience it live off the page as part of the Waikato Q***r Arts Festival!

This funny, tender, slightly chaotic romantic comedy asks: What happens when a blast from your eyeliner-laden past suddenly understands you in ways you never thought they could?

Come hear the play before the winners are announced!

🎟️ - https://events.humanitix.com/the-terrifyingly-adorable-possibility-that-someone-understands-you

We are thrilled to announce the shortlisted plays and playwrights for the 2026 ADAM NZ PLAY AWARD:

- The Bunker by Simon Ferry
- Haere by Tawhi Thomas
- The Magpie's Call: October 1918 by Sheree Veysey
- Mary by Edward Clendon
- Passionfruits by Liam Hinton
- The Close by Barbara Burke
- The Mediation by Guy Langford and Simon Bennett
- The Treehouse by Kerry Lane
- Sundance by Alex MacDonald
- The Terrifyingly Adorable Possibility That Someone Understands You by Melisa Martin
- My Only Fan by Sam Brooks
- Fort by Sheree Veysey

Massive congratulations to all and a big shoutout to everyone who shared their next level scripts with us. The winners will be announced at Basement Theatre, Tāmaki Makaurau, Saturday 18 April.

🏳️‍🌈 The Waikato Q***r Arts Festival is almost here! 🏳️‍🌈

was built for the artists creating here, for the audiences and allies, and for everyone who wants to see more q***r creativity on Waikato stages.

From drag and cabaret to theatre, music, and special events, WQAF is serving local brilliance with a side of international fire.

This isn’t something happening somewhere else.
It’s happening here.

🎭 Explore the full programme
👑 Discover The Royal R***e
🎟️ Tickets are selling — don’t wait until it’s too late

Head to 👉 www.wqaf.co.nz

Bring your friends. Bring your whaanau.
Let's take up space.

👑✨ ANNOUNCING: THE ROYAL ASCENT ✨👑

This is your chance to win a complimentary VIP ticket to WQAF presents The Royal R***e AND receive professional coaching from drag royalty, powerhouse performer, and all-round, international icon Kween Kong!

Thomas Fonua, widely known as Kween Kong, is also a choreographer, cultural strategist, indigenous advocate, and community leader who was raised in South Auckland within a strong Pasifika community. Kong’s mentorship and guidance spans a wide range of professional expertise and personal experience.

Kween will be selecting six courageous participants to get up close and personal in taking part in an audience-observed mentorship and coaching session at Riverlea Theatre, as a part of our inaugural Waikato Q***r Arts Festival.

Whether you’re polishing your performance, building confidence, or unleashing your inner diva, Kween’s got you!

🎥 Submissions OPEN NOW
🗓 Closing MARCH 26
🔗 Submit here: wqaf.co.nz/win-a-royal-ascent-with-kween-kong/

Your ascent starts here. 👑✨

Win a Royal Ascent with Kween Kong Kween Kong, a renowned drag performer and cultural advocate, is offering a workshop for six winners to receive mentorship in community development and performance enhancement. Open to those seeking…

👑 HEADLINER: KWEEN KONG 👑

If you're a clever squirrel, you've visited Ticketek New Zealand for ticket info and heard the news already. But for those who haven't...

You may know Kong from Channel 10's , or RuPaul's , OR RuPaul's . She's a commanding artist, choreographer, community leader, international drag performer, AND founder of the Haus of Kong.

As headliner for WQAF presents The Royal R***e, Kween Kong brings Pacific sovereignty, q***r excellence and cultural leadership to the stage for one unforgettable night.

This is not just a show.
It's an arrival.

🔥

A silhouette this recognisable doesn’t need an introduction, but we’re giving her one anyway.

From the main stage to the main event, this queen knows how to command a room, turn a look, and leave a crowd absolutely gagged. And you can bet she’s bringing that energy to ***e.

If you know, you know.
If you don’t, you’re about to.

✨ Headline performer reveal TONIGHT.

⚡ LOCAL ROYALTY: CRUXIFIX JUNE ⚡

Just in time for Christmas, she's serving dark glamour, fierce energy, and unmistakable style.

June brings intensity and edge to ***e as grand madame of Kirikiriroa and co-founder of the tantalising Twisted Coven Events.

Unapologetic in her approach to performances that captivate, challenge, and command attention, Cruxifix June embodies the power of drag as self-expression and sparkle.

Don't blink, peeps! One more major announcement to come!

🌈 ANITA WIGL’IT 🌈

If you're looking for intelligence and impeccable comic timing, look no further!

Stunning storyteller and musician, RuPaul's alumni, and co-owner of the Caluzzi Cabaret in Auckland, Anita Wigl'it is beloved for performances that balance heart and hilarity, weaving charm into every shining moment on stage.

To ***e, Anita is bringing wit, warmth, and a unique presence that's clever, emotional, and downright joyful!

It's the final countdown. TWO more big names to drop.