Duffy Theatre Creative Team
Duffy shows are brought to life by our amazing actors each year but the people behind the scenes are integral!
Duffy shows are brought to life by our amazing actors each year but the people behind the scenes are integral!
Jeff Szusterman has been developing and directing shows for Duffy Theatre for the past fourteen years, alongside numerous critically-acclaimed and award-winning acting and directing roles on stage, here in Aotearoa New Zealand and in the United States, as well as on locally-produced and international screen productions.
Jeff also wrote the graphic novel Duffy and the Bullies, illustrated by Ant Sang, and published by Oratia Media in 2024. He is currently working on the next book in the series.
Jeff also owns and runs AYA Drama, Auckland’s premiere drama school for young people aged 10-18. Across eighteen years, Jeff has taught and facilitated the dramatic expression of hundreds of young people, some of whom he works with on set and in rehearsal rooms as professional practitioners, even cast in Duffy shows which makes for a truly satisfying full circle.
Leki Jackson-Bourke is a multi-disciplinary, creative/performing
artist of Niuean, Tongan and Samoan descent. A graduate of the
former Pacific Institute of Performing Arts, Leki has worked
freelance in the arts industry for over 15 years and has toured
NZ, Australia, USA, Europe, Asia, UAE and the Pacific through multiple stage productions. Leki’s credits as a writer include: Inky Pinky Ponky, Red, White & Brass The Play, Pring It On, The Gangster’s Paradise. Leki was the inaugural recipient of the Pasifika Emerging Writer in residence at Victoria University’s I.I.M.L (2018), the youngest recipient of the Todd New Writer’s Bursary Grant (2017) and the Bruce Mason 2025 New Zealand Playwright of the year. Aside from writing, Leki is also a founding member of the South Auckland Collective – Sau E Siva Creatives, recently formed theatre company – Strictly Brown and he currently works as a performer under Black Grace Dance.
Elizabeth is our amazing costume designer! Her first show was in 2023 designing the costumes for Duffy needs his space. Elizabeth has been designing costumes for leading theatre institutions in Aotearoa for decades and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to Duffy Theatre.
Learn more at Elizabeth’s website www.elizabethwhitingdesign.com
John has been the Set and Props designer for Duffy Theatre since 2014. John is also a renowned potter and has had his work in both theatre design and pottery featured all over the world.
You can learn more about John on his website www.johnparker.co.nz
