Terms 2 and 3 (Winter)
Theatresports inspires students to think quickly, collaborate creatively, and perform scenes on the spot in front of an interactive audience. Building on a huge array of theatrical skills, acting, dancing and singing are all encouraged in a high-energy space where anything is possible. Our senior improvised theatre enthusiasts meet in the winter terms on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons to develop their skills, while juniors are encouraged to partake in the summer terms. Selected teams from all year levels represent College in The Court Theatre’s inter-school competitions. Theatresports is only available as a winter sport to boys in Years 11–13, but juniors are welcome to join in if their training fits around their own winter sports commitments.
Teacher-in-Charge: Nikki Bleyendaal – email hidden; JavaScript is required
Venue: Old Boys' Theatre
Training: Monday 3.45–4.30pm, Wednesday 2.45–4pm
Recent Success
2023
- Junior Theatresports – Junior A team won the annual Court Theatre competition.
- Senior Theatresports – Senior A finished third place in the annual Court Theatre competition.
2022
- Junior Theatresports – Junior A and Junior B finalists in the annual Court Theatre competition.
- Senior Theatresports – Senior A second place in the finals for the annual Court Theatre competition.
Theatresports Coaching Staff
Nikki Bleyendaal
Assistant Director of Drama/Theatresports
Nikki Bleyendaal
Assistant Director of Drama/Theatresports
Nikki has relished being part of the Drama Department in a variety of roles over the past decade, and now brings her skills and experiences to her role as the Assistant Director of Drama. Whether she is teaching in the classroom, coaching Theatresports, facilitating the Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival or directing productions, Nikki always revels in the joys and challenges provided by the dynamic and collaborative world of the Performing Arts.
She directed the junior plays, Puffs (2024) with Shannon Small, and Rainbow’s Ending (2022), and co-directed Peter Pan for the 2023 senior production. She also works as a Teaching Artist at The Court Theatre, was a director for Original Scripts Theatre School, and has directed and performed with the Top Dog Theatre Company for over a decade, notably at the Isaac Theatre Royal as Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing, and most recently as Buckingham in Richard III for their outdoor Summer Shakespeare. Nikki’s other roles at Christ’s College include coaching as a Head of Teaching and Learning, and a mentor in Somes House.
Shannon Small
Drama teacher
Shannon Small
Drama teacher
Shannon Small first became involved in Theatresports as an Ashburton College student, travelling to Christchurch for competitions. He was awarded a blue – the equivalent of a College Colour – for his contribution to Theatresports at secondary school. Shannon then completed a Theatre Studies degree at the University of Otago, including papers on improvisation. Next, he gained entry to the prestigious Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School to study for a degree in acting. Following his graduation, workshopping and devising plays became part of his professional life. A career change into teaching took Shannon in a different direction. In 2023, he returned to the sport by coaching the Christ’s College Theatresports teams, with the junior team winning that year.