Who do we think we are?
We are Barbarian. We live and work in Wellington, Te Whanganui-a-Tara, in Aotearoa New Zealand. We love people, music, trees, costumes, dancing and parades. We are makers of theatre.
JO RANDERSON
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Jo Randerson ONZM (they/them) is an Arts Foundation New Generation Laureate, and the founder and artistic director of Barbarian Productions. They are an award-winning playwright, performer and writer (including a Robert Burns Fellowship, Bruce Mason Playwriting Award, and Auckland Fringe ‘Unf**k the World’ Award). Jo has published four books of short fiction and poetry, many plays, and a new nonfiction work, Secret Art Powers, which is flying off the shelves. Their short film Hey Brainy Man! won the NZIFF Patron’s Choice Award (co-directed w. Loren Taylor). In 2023 they received the Topp Prize for Comedy.
SALLY BARNETT
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Sally Barnett (she/her) was a founding member of the Hobson Street Theatre Company with the Auckland City Mission, inaugural Director of the Auckland Fringe, and has worked internationally in the Solomon Islands, at the Edinburgh Fringe, Hong Kong Fringe Club and on major New Zealand events including the NZ International Arts Festival and World of Wearable Arts. Throughout her career she has worked alongside some of New Zealand's most significant artists, creating work that brings them together with communities rarely centred in the mainstream arts sector — building connection, confidence, and belonging in people's lives. Sally joined Barbarian as Executive Producer in 2024, drawn by a longstanding admiration for the company's artistry and dedication to community and social justice.
THOMAS LAHOOD
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER / HEAD CLOWN
Thomas LaHood ( he/him) has been company co-director, chief financial officer, marketing manager and head clown of Barbarian Productions Ltd. since 2007. Thomas graduated from Auckland University of Technology in 2000 with a Bachelor of Communication Studies degree, and from Bonts International Clown School (Ibiza) in 2006. His performance history includes Tale of a Dog (Capital E, 2008-9), Caterpillars (2015 - 2017), Soft ‘n’ Hard (2018-2019), Speed is Emotional (2025 - ), and frequent commercial acting roles. He worked for 4 years as a Clown Doctor at Wellington Public Hospital and has taught clown at Whitireia, Toi Whakaari, Victoria University and independently.
HELEN KIRLEW SMITH
GENERAL MANAGER
Helen Kirlew Smith ( she/her) joined Barbarian Productions as General Manager in 2026. She has worked with artists and producers in the UK and NZ for the last 30 years. Helen graduated from DeMontfort University, Leicester with a Live Art degree (honours). She co-founded the New Works Festival and co-established the National New Work Network (NWN). In the late nineties she moved to London to work with Blast Theory as their Company Manager until emigrating to Wellington, Aotearoa in 2006. More recently she has worked for Urban Dream Brokerage, Letting Space and was the Place Manager for Wellington City Council’s Waterfront and City Parks.
STEVIE HANCOX-MONK
ARTISTIC & COMPANY ASSISTANT
Stevie Hancox-Monk (they/them), is a trans nonbinary theatre practitioner based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, with over a decade of experience in improvisation, theatre-making, and voice performance. Stevie has worked with Barbarian in various roles, and currently supports the team as an Artistic Assistant, alongside their independent arts practice. Their performance history includes: The Griegol (Trick of the Light); Massive Crushes (dir. Isobel MacKinnon); Hamlet (dir. David O’Donnell); HOLE (Lynda Chanwai-Earle); A Traveller’s Guide to Turkish Dogs (dir. Jonathan Price); and short film projects To My Next Lover (dir. Kieran Charnock; Paula Harris) and The Chair (dir. Brooke Benton, DOP Matt Henley).
MEGAN RIVERSDALE
INTERN
Megan Riversdale (she/her) is studying towards her Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Marketing at the University of Canterbury, but was born and raised in Te Whanganui-a-Tara.
Thoroughly enjoying her final year of study, she joined Barbarian in May 2026 as a marketing intern, supporting the team to manage their social media channels.
ASPEN JACKMAN
INTERN
Aspen Jackman ( she/her) is a theatre practitioner based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. She uses her experience as a neurodiverse and queer woman to influence her work in dramaturgy, acting, and adaptation.
Currently, she is studying towards her Master of Fine Arts (Creative Practise) in Theatre and is looking into Dramaturgy’s role in Aotearoa theatre, and how an actor’s identity shifts the narrative of a text, whether intentional or not.
“Making life full of art full of life.”
Founded by Jo Randerson in 2001, Barbarian has evolved as a powerful creative force, with partner Thomas LaHood, a small team of dedicated staff and a large horde of independent artists, performers, designers, makers, and technicians.
We are driven by our belief in radical fun, courageous expression, fluidity, generosity and participation – that’s what keeps our play real for us and our audience.
Our home
Barbarian works out of the Vogelmorn Bowling Club, now a revitalised community space with a bar, a café, a ginger beer brewery, and a toy library. It’s our turangawaewae - our place to stand. It’s both a physical and a spiritual home for us and all are welcome. Come visit us!
Our partners
