Introducing our newest member of staff - Helen Todd!

Internationally acclaimed New Zealand lighting designer Helen Todd has joined the Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School Design staff this year to guide and support the Bachelor of Design students through their various projects this year.

Helen is beloved as a Toi guest tutor and renowned for over 25 year’s collaboration with Samoan-born choreographer Lemi Ponifasio, founder of MAU Dance and Theatre Company.

Toi Whakaari Design HOD, Dr Sean Coyle, says it’s a great honour to have Helen join the academic team; “She brings the amazing gift of being both an internationally acclaimed designer for performance as well as being a much respected teacher, educator and mentor for students. She has a long history with the drama school, in which she has inspired and influenced many of our graduates to think about the power of lighting and design as a critical means of visual storytelling. I cannot wait to see the work she manages to inspire in our current cohort.”

‍