Container Stage Programming
Event:
Cuba Dupa
Artists:
So Many!
Collaborators:
Cuba Dupa (Festival and Partner)
Yoocrew (Rigging)
Boxman (Containers)
Crofts (Container Placement)
Image Credits:
Sam Bath (Photographer)
Natasha Halliday (Photographer)
The design of the infrastructure had a number of constraints that shaped the final product. Among others the three most important were to be visually impactful, to fit on a small street and to pack-in and out within Cuba Dupa’s relatively short road closures. The result was triple stacked shipping containers on the top of which we attached our bespoke structure, an aerial rigging point which created a 12-metre-high vertical performance space.
For the dream job of programming the weekend we presented six productions across two days and showcasing 27 artists. The lineup featured a vibrant mix of circus, variety, comedy, and late-night DJs—balancing professional performers with emerging and community talent. The stage became a festival highlight, attracting large, enthusiastic audiences. This project reflects our commitment to innovative design, inclusive programming, and strong creative partnerships with festivals like Cuba Dupa.
Our role in this festival was two fold. First our mission was to create a bespoke piece of infrastructure that could be host to the heart of circus and variety in Wellington’s most iconic street festival. Our second mission was to program an epic line up that hero’d and nurtured Pōneke’sthriving circus and variety scene.