Our Instructors
Neil Thornton
Outstanding Contribution to the Industry, New Zealand Comedy Guild Awards, 2023
Best Industry Helper, 2018, 2019, 2020 Wellington Comedy Awards
Best MC, 2022 Wellington Comedy Awards
Best Comedian, 2020 Wellington Comedy Awards
Best Male Comedian, 2020 Cartel Comedy Awards
Best Mentor, 2021 Cartel Comedy Awards
In addition to his career as a stand-up comedian, Neil Thornton has been teaching for more than 25 years. He earned his BA in English from Carnegie Mellon University and his MFA in writing from the University of New Orleans.
He published fiction and essays in several literary journals and magazines and taught college English for 9 years, running classes in Creative Writing, Composition, Creative Nonfiction, Technical Writing, and Managerial Communication.
After moving to New York City in 2007, Neil became a working stand-up comic, performing everywhere from major comedy clubs to seedy dive bars in Washington D.C., Provincetown, Fire Island, and the Poconos. More recently, what was supposed to be a six-month adventure in New Zealand has turned into a permanent home.
Since then, Neil has made a big impact on the New Zealand comedy circuit. He has toured up and down the country and all over the world, entertaining audiences with his battles of understanding Kiwi culture and finding his own identity. He's a regular at The Classic in Auckland, and appeared in the TV3 comedy special "After Hours."
Neil now teaches from Wellington, New Zealand, where he continues to write, perform standup, and raise two giant Alaskan Malamutes.
“Thornton is just a master of the craft of comedy – the room is totally unified and he knows how to follow our responses.” - Theatreview
"A bold performer with intelligent material. Constantly amusing and thought-provoking." - ruminator.co.nz
Donna Brookbanks
Donna is an award-winning comedian, actor, and writer who brings over a decade of performance experience to her role as an instructor at the NZ Comedy School. A two-time Billy T Award nominee, Donna has appeared on numerous TV shows including 7 Days, The Best Foods Comedy Christmas Gala, Mean Mums, and Funny Girls, and co-founded the legendary improv show Snort, which ran for 10 years at The Basement Theatre.
With formal training from The Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theatre and The Upright Citizens Brigade in New York and LA, Donna brings both classical technique and cutting-edge comedy craft to her teaching. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and an ATCL in Speech and Drama from Trinity College, with particular expertise in performance, voice, and language in comedy.
Known for her brilliant character work and relatable observations about everyday life, Donna has created four acclaimed solo shows and performed on stages worldwide, from The Comedy Store in Sydney to venues across New York and LA. She's currently touring her newest hour "Green Fingered" around Aotearoa.
Drawing inspiration from comedy legends like Victoria Wood, John Clarke, and Amy Poehler, Donna combines professional expertise with a warm, approachable teaching style that helps students discover their unique comic voice.
Brendon Green
Brendon is a professional comedian and writer with over 15 years of experience. He has written and performed 10 NZ Comedy Festival shows, receiving the Best Newcomer Award in 2012, a Billy T Nomination in 2014, and a FRED Award Nomination for Best Show in 2023.
A prolific MC and line-up comedian, he is known for his friendly and consistent stage presence. His comedy is thoughtful, kind, and emotionally playful - allowing him to play to audiences of all sizes and backgrounds.
He has used his stand-up comedy skills as Head Tutor of the Class Comedians programme in Auckland, as well as contributing to NZ Television shows such as Head Writing Have You Been Paying Attention, Comedians Giving Lectures, and even Heartbreak Island. He has also been part of the teams creating 7 Days, Taskmaster NZ, Paddy Gower Has Issues, and The Project.
Inspired by comedians such as Mike Birbiglia, Kyle Kinane, and Sarah Pascoe - he loves how Comedy is a perfect combination of art and craft
Robin Wachsberger
Robin Wachsberger served as Manager ofThe Moth’s international StorySLAM series and held the roles of Producer and Story Coach for six years before relocating from New York City to New Zealand in 2016. Alongside her work with The Moth, she been a passionate storyteller in her own right, craftily airing her own dirty laundry at hundreds of storytelling events. In Auckland, she launched her own spoken word series,Tall Poppies Storytelling, and has held workshops and shows at venues, conferences, homes, festivals, and even a sailboat.
She currently works as a Placemaker with the Auckland Urban Development Office, where she collaborates with the communities of Avondale and Henderson on vibrant, inclusive public realm projects — often weaving in a touch of narrative magic through community activations.
When not championing the art of live expression or placemaking , Robin indulges her eclectic range of neurodiverse interests, including burlesque, drag, costume design, music, and tending to the whims of her ever-demanding dog, Lio.
