Our Purpose:
To enhance human connection through play.
Our Vision:
To celebrate, showcase and develop the art of improvisation from grass roots to tall shoots.
To perform world-class improvisation theatre.
To provide high quality training in the art of improvisation.
To develop life skills for young people.
To bring more playfulness into the world.
Our Values:
1. Connection - It is a place of belonging. The theatre is inclusive, warm and inviting and you feel connected to something special when you walk in, whether you’re there to watch a performance or partake in a workshop or show.
2. Playfulness - It’s a place of fun. The theatre is a home for creativity where playfulness is personified and celebrated for people of all ages.
3. Quality - The Covert is community in spirit and professional in standards. It is a vibrant performing arts community for those who wish to be a part of a playful tribe. It’s a place of learning. A place for self-creation, self-discovery and self-expression; where you learn about yourself by playing with others.
The Covert Team
GENERAL MANAGER
Edith Fumarola
ACTRESS | IMPROVISOR | WICKED ENCHANTRESS - Edith has been an active member of the Covert Theatre since 2018 and joined the Improv Bandits in 2021. She is passionate about the Covert Theatre and the wonderful community it serves. She weaves her magic to ensure the Theatre runs smoothly and lives its purpose.
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Wade Jackson
FOUNDER | IMPROV | COACH | SPEAKER | BLACK BELT - Wade is the founder of The Improv Bandits and the Covert Theatre. He began improvising in 1994 and just hasn’t stopped. He has toured around the world directing, teaching and performing improvised comedy. He was asked to audition for Whose Line Is It Anyway? in 1999, won the International Maestro title in 2000 at the Loose Moose Theatre in Calgary and was a member of The Improv Bandits when they won the 2002 World Cage Match Championship at IO in the Chicago Improv Festival. He’s an award-winning producer of live theatre and is the co-founder of the Auckland Improv Festival.
As Artistic Director, Wade is responsible for the Covert Theatre’s vision, direction and quality of improvisation. He is the guardian of the culture within the theatre and the ever increasing high standard of performance.
THEATRE ADMINISTRATOR
Martin Greshoff
MUSICIAN | CREATIVE | ARTIST - Martin works behind the scenes - tinkering, scheming, and plotting to make sure Covert Theatre thrives. By day you can find him at the Theatre or wandering around Ponsonby, and by night you can see him play jazz under his alias Late Lamb.
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
Ambika G.R
IMPROVISER | CREATIVE | TEACHER - Ambika has a case of early-onset mid-life-crisis, but is far too sensible to buy a sports car. She has instead wound up at the Covert exploring her creativity, the unknown and generally enjoying the ride.
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
Matt Armstrong
IMPROVISER | CREATIVE | DIRECTOR - Matt has been performing improv for over 20 years and has been on stages throughout NZ and in the US and Japan.
Matt is the co-producer of The Fother Muckers, the late night puppet show and creator of the improv shows In Bono Veritas and the Game of Life which was performed in the Brisbane Improv Festival.
As an Associate Director, Matt brings vision, analysis and a strong desire for everyone to be the best improviser they can be.
TECHNICAL MANAGER
Keir Robertson
LIGHTS | SOUND | IMPROV - Keir is responsible for all things technical at the Covert. He joined the Covert in 2001 after graduating from South Seas film school. He played with the kids onstage for a few years before finding his niche doing lights and sound where he has remained as a stalwart techo for most of the Covert shows since. Keir really relishes the chance to use his improv experience alongside the cast with light and sound, and from the techie’s box; enjoys the best and funniest view in the house.
DESIGN
Matt Allen (mata)
DESIGNER | CREATIVE | NERD | DEVELOPER - Matt has been in the design industry since 1991, witnessing the change from traditional design through to digital. Matt has been covertly creating promotional collateral for the Covert Theatre for many years now. He looks after the website and helps with regular event promotional design.
Governance
OUR PATRON
Sir Bob Harvey
Sir Bob Harvey is a living NZ legend and is one of this country’s most recognisable and highly regarded public figures. Bob has become renowned for leadership in public office, business and local government.
In 2003 he co-founded Leadership New Zealand with Jo Brosnahan and since that time has lectured extensively on leadership in the public sector, corporate and personal coaching both in New Zealand and overseas. He is the Chairperson of Leadership NZ and currently holds the role of the 'Champion for Auckland - overseas investment' where he promotes Auckland internationally and facilitates international investment opportunities. He is the former Mayor of Waitakere where he served six consecutive terms, the first mayor to do so in over a century.
Sir Bob was awarded the United Nations Mayors for Peace Award in 1998, and the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal in 1990. In the 1991 New Year Honours, he was appointed a Companion of the Queen's Service Order for public services. He was knighted as a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2013 New Year Honours.
Sir Bob is a big supporter of the Covert Theatre and everything they stand for. He is proud to be the Patron and sees the Covert Theatre to be extraordinarily exciting for Auckland and indeed New Zealand.
BOARD MEMBER & TRUSTEE
Wade Jackson
Wade is the founder of the Covert Theatre. He’s very passionate about sharing the benefits of improvisation and having a physical home for improv. He’s the current Artistic Director for the Covert Theatre. By day he is the CEO of Inspired Learning, a high performance training company for many large organisations; teaching leadership, resilience, collaborative creativity and storytelling. Wade is an executive coach working with a number of CEOs and senior leaders helping them navigate the constant change of the business world.
Wade has supported many charitable organisation over the years including CanTeen, Foundation for Youth Development and Variety Club. His purpose in life is to inspire meaningful happiness and he does this through both his work with Inspired Learning and the Yes And Trust.
BOARD MEMBER & TRUSTEE
Mark Beder
Mark started his working career in marketing and logistics followed by a couple of stints as a management consultant working at Ernst and Young but over the last 20 years has worked in technology and telecommunications at Telecom and Spark. Mark a part of the Spark Executive Team. Mark has a Commerce degree from Auckland University and spends his time off with family and playing and watching sport.
Mark is a massive advocate and supporter of the theatre especially the work they do in mental health and well being.
BOARD MEMBER & TRUSTEE
Martyn Masterson
Martyn started his working career as a Chartered Accountant [something he doesn’t like to talk about anymore] but has spent the last 20 years starting and building successful businesses in financial services, commercial refrigeration, technology, software and property.
Martyn is the CEO of Quadrent Limited a specialist provider of asset financing services to large organisations across Australasia - both have been corporate and personal patrons of the Covert Theatre for some time. Martyn shares a real enthusiasm for helping young people get a better start in life having created events that bring the tools, research and money just to help make life for some, a little better. He brings this passion, his experience, relationships and his own unusual sense of humour to the Yes and Trust.
CHAIR
Sue Sinclair
Sue is a connector and networker with highly developed relationship building skills. Her networks encompass executives and business leaders both domestically and internationally, scientists, artists, entrepreneurs, educators, sporting organisations and philanthropists. Sue’s career spans education, event management, fundraising, sponsorship and business development. She built an international network of high achieving New Zealanders at Kea and has worked most recently as Head of Advancement at Auckland Art Gallery.
Sue brings energy, creative thought and enthusiasm to all that she is involved in and can make the strategic connections that deliver partnerships and business growth outcomes for both individuals and organisations.
ACCOUNTING
Atesh Bhej
The Yes And Trust’s accounting partner is Atesh Bhej, the managing director of Biz Solutions, Chartered Accountants. Based in Auckland, Biz Solutions have been helping businesses grow since 1998 and in 2018 were recognized as a top 30 Accountancy firm by Sunday Star Times. Atesh Bhej has a very personal connection with the Covert Theatre as its founder Wade Jackson, was the very first client of Biz Solutions; hence the entire firm's wholehearted involvement and support for The Yes and Trust and the Covert Theatre. They stand with the Covert Theatre to enhance the community with the positive contribution it makes. The Yes And Trust appreciates Atesh and Biz Solutions ongoing support.