Danielle Wright goes backstage at the Annie the Musical auditions in Auckland.

Hmmm genetic anomaly? No idea where it came from. My sister dabbled in acting for a while so I wouldn't say I'm a black sheep ... but very close to it.

This Noel Coward drawing room farce is light and entertaining, and its mocking of the slut/stud double standard is still depressingly relevant, even after nearly 90 years.

Watching Victor Rodger's hit play Black Faggot gave emerging theatre writer, director and producer Bruce Brown an idea.

Otara teenager Sipa Deidoe had never been inside a theatre until he came into the Aotea Centre for a first meeting about a new arts project late last year.

The audience is in the middle of the stage action, finds Barney McDonald.

She's the pop phenomenon of 2013, scoring four Grammy nominations, the top spot on record charts around the world and hanging out with A-list stars. Ella Yelich-O'Connor talks to Alan Perrot about the biggest year of her life and her Kiwi Christmas.

South Auckland sometimes gets a bad rap. But many who have called the place home have gone on to make an impression internationally in their chosen fields.

The Christmas play is a greatly anticipated Basement tradition, combining a volunteer cast on high rotate with loads of punny fun for a festive fundraiser.

7 Days team captains Dai Henwood and Paul Ego are joining us for a live chat at 12pm as they prepare to take their show on the road.

Hey kids, get ready to shout 'Look behind you!' when the Christmas panto season starts, says Dionne Christian.

You've had a huge year of performing and producing shows most nights - what makes you get up in the morning and drive from Grey Lynn to Mangere to study Maori language?

Amy Waller's one-woman show addresses the widely felt yearning to keep alive the stories of our immediate ancestors.

There's an immediate frisson of friction between the two characters - a teacher and a mother - in this hour-long, real-time conversation.

Funny things seem to happen to the actor Mick Innes and a funny thing happened on his way to meet me.

Technically, it should probably be Polywood, not Pollywood. Polywood recalls Polynesia which is what it is all about.

With this fabulous, fast-tempoed spectacle of sizzle and sass, Michael Hurst once again proves himself an exceptional director of musical theatre.