Brought to You by CFM – Words by Fabian Roberts
For Sam Connors, theatre is a passion that was woven through her upbringing in the Thames-Coromandel region. Her earliest memory of the stage is being tucked inside a sleeping bag at the back of Thames Little Theatre, peeking at rehearsals with wide-eyed wonder. That quiet moment sparked a journey that would lead her to become one of the area’s most promising young directors.
Sam’s path to directing was shaped not just by the stage, but by the vibrant community events she grew up helping to organise. Her mum’s involvement in local celebrations – ‘Steampunk the Thames’, Christmas in the Park, and Santa Parade – gave Sam a behind-the-scenes look at how creative visions come to life.
“Directing feels like event planning,” she says. “It’s about watching all the pieces come together.” That early exposure to logistics and storytelling laid the foundation for her unique approach to theatre.
Though she’s currently based outside the region, Sam is still working on her craft.
She’s directing Up the Duff with the Matamata Dramatic Society, a play she first performed in back in 2020. Written by a local Thames playwright, the show explores the lives of five women navigating pregnancy – some joyfully, others reluctantly.
Her connection to the Thames-Coromandel community continues through her commitment to returning for shows and events. “This is home,” she says simply.
Whether mentoring young performers, supporting local productions, or staying engaged online, Sam remains a vital part of the artistic fabric of the region.
“One of the most unique theatre experiences came just a week before opening night of Up the Duff in 2020, when a sudden COVID lockdown forced the team to halt Production – then having to recast and rework the entire show with social distancing and restrictions later that year,” states Miss Connors.
Sam is proof that local roots can grow into something extraordinary!
Words by Fabian Roberts
PROUD TO BE LOCAL — BROUGHT TO YOU BY CFM — IS OUR INSPIRATIONAL FEATURE, HIGHLIGHTING HOME-GROWN COROMANDEL PENINSULA FOLKS DOING WONDERFUL THINGS OUT IN THE WORLD.
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