Receiving the 2026 Springboard Award – Mentored by Sophie Roberts 

Sean Dioneda Rivera is an award winning director, playwright and actor working across theatre and film across the Motu. After training at Toi Whakaari Sean has been creating at an independent and festival level across New Zealand’s grassroots theatres for the past 5 years. Sean’s work has been featured as part of the Kia Mau, Rangatahi, Measina, Melbourne, Auckland and New Zealand Fringe Festivals. Sean has worked across the main stages of Aotearoa, including Silo Theatre, Auckland Theatre Company and Circa Theatre.

Sean’s coterie of work includes celebrated seasons of Concerning the UFO Sighting Outside Mt Roskill Auckland, To be Frank, Losing Face: A Daddy Issues Play, May Mga Uod Ang Utak Mo, Snart, Scorned, Same Love, (W)Asian, The Rawdog Gaysian Playwright Challenge, My Clowns, My Circus, Flames: A Hip-Hop Musical, To Be Frank, and the 2022,2024,2025 Toi Whakaari solos and most recently the 2026 season of the Clitoris Conundrum for Auckland Pride. Sean is known for his innovative, evocative work across theatre often through solo performance, looking at work through a distinctly queer, POC lens. Sean’s work across theatre has been recognised through nominations and awards at the Wellington Theatre Awards and The New Zealand Fringe Festival.

Panel Statement: “Sean is a prolific theatre maker, performer, and director. His deep levels of curiosity, imagination and creative agility have contributed to some memorable moments on stage.  Sean pursues meaningful art, uplifting diverse voices and perspectives, and creating electric performances. A Springboard award provides a perfect space for his curiosity and craft to be nurtured and propel him to new areas of discovery.”