A play examining the anxieties of young people working in the arts is pertinent for many people in Dunedin, its director says.
Counterpoint artistic director Jordan Dickson, of Dunedin, is directing the play Wine Lips, which examines the lives of two young actors.
Mr Dickson (21), a University of Otago Theatre Studies honours student, said the youth theatre company Counterpoint bridged the gap between amateur and professional theatre in Dunedin; it was open to those under 30.
There was a focus on "upskilling and gaining experience for young practitioners so they don't have to move to Wellington or Auckland, or wherever, and it has really, really thrived ...''
"It has gone from strength to strength.''
He said the Counterpoint company was in its fourth season and produced about six shows a year.
Mr Dickson was "thrilled'' Wine Lips, which runs for three nights from April 6, was the first show of the 2016 season.
"The work is funny, poignant and terrifyingly in tune with the anxieties of young people working in the arts.''
The script captured the "transitional time'' in people's lives, which was particularly pertinent for young artists.
The two characters in the play were in their late 20s and were at a career point where it was "all in and there's no going back'' or opting for more reliable "nine to five'' work.
The writer is Sam Brooks, of Auckland.
Dunedin was a great place to develop a career in the arts because the cost of living was cheaper than cities such as Wellington and Auckland.
Many artists were moving or returning to Dunedin to produce art.
"Dunedin is a fantastic place to create at the moment.''
