EL COLIBRÍ

EL COLIBRÍ is a new theatre work and Debut Play written and Directed by Wellington based Puerto Rican artist Elia Correa.

This Boosted campaign allows us to support the amazing artists who have collaborated with us to bring this story to life. AND... It allows you to see a beautiful story about the complications of language, culture, and family through the lens of Femme Latin diaspora in Aotearoa. 

EL COLIBRÍ is on at BATS Theatre from 13th-15th February 2026

CLICK THE TICKET LINK FOR MORE INFORMATION!

TICKET LINK - https://tickets.fringe.co.nz/event/446:8200/

S.L.U.G Theatre Company is an award winning collective founded in 2024.

The team behind EL COLIBRÍ whakapapa to places all over the world, but reside in Te Whanganui-A-Tara (WGN). Combining our talents we have brought this magical story to life and now we want to share it with you, as a full length theatre show. 
 
EL EQUIPO / THE TEAM: 
Writer/Director - Elia Correa
Producer - Zody Mārino Takurua

Set & Props Designer - Sean Brennan

Photographer - Amio Renati

Dramaturgical Support - Molly Macalister, Zody Mārino Takurua

AV Designer & Operator - Paige Johns
Technical Production Manager - Sarah Davitt

LOS ACTORES / THE ACTORS

Steffany Silva De Lautour

Marilyn Mansilla

Elia Correa

Monet Wiljo Sam Faifai-Collins

To our friends and family who are unfamiliar with how theatre shows are developed: 

As emerging artists, building a show includes countless hours of unpaid collaboration on tasks such as:  

• Script writing, editing, reading and mentorship.
• Actors adding life and emotional logic to the characters speech and behavior. 
• Designers adding color, shape and sound to the world.
• Production teams resourcing and platforming the work to compensate the team.

A successful Boosted campaign offers us the opportunity to financially recognize the collaboration, effort and excellence our team has invested into bringing this story to life.  It also provides us the opportunity to connect our team into future creative opportunities, so that we can continue making art that provides value to our communities. 

The money raised from our campaign will go towards:

• Paying our Cast & Crew
• Set Design & Technical Elements
• Production Costs 

Every contribution will help us to deliver EL COLIBRÍ in it's full beauty, as well as provide pathways for our artists to establish meaningful careers beyond this show!

A new Theatre show, created by Elia Correa – Debuting at the 2026 New Zealand Fringe Festival.

The story follows three sisters reuniting at their Abuelito’s (Grandfather's) home in Puerto Rico. What is supposed to be a happy family gathering quickly makes way for b*tchy jokes, old narratives and festering wounds as the girls explore their relationship with language, culture and each other. 

It looks at the magic of childhood and the memories that hold us together when everything around us is falling apart. It asks the questions: What is home & How does blood tie us together?

"Living in Aotearoa, I have wanted to reconnect with my Puerto Rican culture. Writing this story has acted as a stepping stone for me to reconnect with my roots , through research, memories and interviews with family this show began to form." - Elia Correa. 

In August 2025, El Colibrí debuted at Toi Whakaari's Whanake Festival as a work in development theatre show. It has since been developed further and is now ready for its debut season as part of the 2026 NZ Fringe Festival.

"There is an uncertainty to growing up a third culture kid in Aotearoa. But growing up with limited physical access to my own culture, people and land makes way for something deeper, a longing for something that was lost before I was born." - Elia Correa.

Within the Theatre landscape in Aotearoa, there is a lack of Latin stories being showcased. This lack feeds into the cycle of losing our voices before we are born. El Colibrí looks at the yearning to belong in one's own culture, the nostalgia of childhood, and the mind numbing anger that only a sister can bring out in you.

At its core El Colibrí aims to showcase a story about young Puerto Rican women figuring out how to deal with complex family dramas. By performing in both Spanish and English our team hopes to invite those seeking access to what belongs to them into the theatre for a beautiful showcase of Latin talent in Te Whanganui-a-Tara by seeing themselves and their own language reflected on stage. 

Your support will make a huge impact. If you are able, please consider making a donation. If not, we would still love to see you at the debut of EL COLIBRÍ at BATS Theatre, from the 13th-15th February 2026. 

TICKETS AND MORE INFO - https://tickets.fringe.co.nz/event/446:8200/

MUCHAS! MUCHAS! MUCHAS! GRACIAS!