Abstract
Bicultural theatre praxis in Aotearoa/Te Waipounamu places Maori protocols, rituals, ceremonials and lifeworld behaviours, knowledges and ways of being side by side with western theatre practices in dynamic contiguity. Aotearoa/Te Waipounamu's status as a 'bicultural' nation is supported by the Treaty of Waitangi, a 'founding' document whose articles and 'spirit' are drawn into multiple social,
governmental and educational organizations in this country, and which can inform theatre praxis between cultural contexts. Although the designation 'bicultural' suggests a bifurcated structure, I propose that the actualities of praxis play out in a complex and plurally-positioned site of interplay and negotiation. I cite examples from theatre praxis between cultures throughout the history of theatre in Aotearoa/Te Waipounamu, examples of theories of actorship, and specific examples of my own practice-led research as a theatre director with bicultural collective Kilimogo Productions of Otepoti/Dunedin to support this thesis.