Social Animal

Social Animal is a solo theatre comedy written by Damon Andrews and Stephen Papps. It’s is a biting satire, about the fear of irrelevance and the healing power of an animal.

We are currently involved in getting our show Social Animal up and running for a season in Wellington and an NZ tour next year. But before that happens we are doing rewrites and rehearsals. We don’t have backing for this stage of the process so we’re looking to raise funds to that end. We would love your support!!

OFF THE LEASH PRODUCTIONS: We are Damon Andrews (Writer/Director) and Stephen Papps (Writer/Actor) we love to create comedy story-telling for the theatre. We love social comment through comedy. 

Stephen has a prolific career as an actor in New Zealand. He won best actor for the feature film End of the Golden Weather. Now he performs the original Bruce Mason text on Takapuna beach. He went on to co-create Blowing It, a solo theatre comedy/drama that toured New Zealand and the world. Stephen has created several solo shows and has acted in countless film, television and theatre productions, including: The Dumb Waiter with Michael Lawrence, Mike and Virginia (Tadpole prods and Circa theatre) and Timberrr!!! (Circa)

Damon co-created and directed Wheeler’s Luck which toured New Zealand and Edinburgh. He has since co-created Timberrr!!! which has played around the country. He also has a long established career as a writer for Shortland Street.

TAHI productions is the umbrella organization to give the show it's platform for the Wellington season. TAHI is a festival that specializes in solo performance and is headed by Sally Richards. TAHI will market and produce the show in September.

Jack Tankersley will tech the show.

John Simmons does social media marketing.

We’re aiming to raise $4,500 to support five weeks of intensive rehearsals and development in August–September 2025.

Your donations will help fund:

• Artist fees for five weeks of rehearsal and script development
• Rehearsal space hire

We currently have a little bit of funding from Wellington City Council Arts and Culture to produce the TAHI season and need your help to further develop the idea to create a blueprint that would make the show a masterful one - this requires us to workshop and rehearse for five weeks in August/September. We don't have any funding for this stage of the process so every little bit would help us to stay focused on bringing the show to it's best and final iteration.

The timeline for the project is as follows:

• August–September 2025: Rehearsals and development
• Late September 2025: TAHI Festival season in Wellington
• 2026: National tour

We feel that crowdfunding is a great way of getting closer to our audience in that you join us in supporting the creative process that makes magical theatre. 

If you choose to donate in even a very small way it is hugely appreciated (and Boosted will send you out a tax receipt at tax time). But we understand it’s tough out there; and that many of you may be artists too. So fully understand now might not be a good time. Perhaps you could consider supporting in other ways – like on-sharing our fund-raising page or, just tell your friends.

Our style of theatre has no scenery or props so it is down to the actor to engage the audience’ imagination to evoke every moving part. “Stephen Papps plays twelve characters with beguiling virtuosity, in this gloriously funny solo tour de force about a man who loses face in a desperate attempt to regain his relevance.” 

The show has done two small seasons: One at 116 Theatre in Whangarei and another at The Hamilton Arts Fest 2024. 

In late September we are programmed to launch a season at the TAHI fest in Wellington.

In 2026 Social Animal has been programmed to tour New Zealand.

We need to rehearse and refine our story to make a show of the highest quality.

 “It’s impressive for a performer to embody a big range of characters … well-written and full of humorous insights and revelations … glorious!” – Cate Prestige, Theatreview.

The show is off to a good start and now it needs to be developed to it’s final stage of excellence. That way we have an entertainment that is self-assured, to give it a greater chance of reaching a larger audience throughout the country. In order for us to produce a strong and well-rehearsed show we need your support to hit the ground running in September and beyond.

We are extremely grateful, and a big thanks to those who have already given to the cause. It makes us feel so supported as artists. Thank you so much!!!