​Kia ora.          Hello.          Dia dhuit!

My name's Max (he/him). I'm a New Zealand-British-Irish director and writer.

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I work with new writing, adaptations and on restaging classic texts (and have been part of some really exciting devising processes too!). I make work that is phsyical, delicate and interested in the theatrical space as one where people come together to feel.

 

There is a strong movement element to my work, which often explores questions around Love, Time, and Belonging. Most of all I am interested in the extraordinariness of our ordinary lives - however that manifests in story on stage and screen.

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I trained on LAMDA's MA Directing programme and founded Southern Magpie, picking up Offie Nominations for Best Director, Best Movement and a Pub Theatres Award for Show of the Year.

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I've worked as an assistant director to Olivier Award winning director Rebecca Frecknall and  North Wall Artistic Director Ria Parry. And I've been mentored by Donmar Warehouse Artistic Director Mike Longhurst and Auckland Theatre Company Artistic Director Colin McColl.

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I am committed to access and inclusion in the arts, and have my Level 1 British Sign Language Qualification. I have held a residency to work with young people at Bedales School and been commissioned by drama schools Mountview and LAMDA to create work for and with young people and D/deaf and disabled actors.

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My first short film as writer and director 'Our Old Den' has played at festivals world wide, including being Runner up Best Interntional Film at SENE Festival (one of Moviemaker-Film Freeways 20 best festivals for first time filmmakers) and was a semi-finalist at Academy Award Qualifying Flickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival.

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Contact: max_kirk@outlook.com

:)

There's some more images and reviews on my old website here: Max's old website