The Graduate

Written by Terry Johnson
Directed by Annie Whittaker

19 Jun  - 4 Jul 2026

About the Play

Ben Braddock has just graduated college. He is however feeling disenfranchised with his life and does not want to follow his father's plan for his life (a "good" job and a "nice" wife). During the graduation party his father's friend's wife, Mrs Robinson, makes Ben an "interesting" proposal. Ben is at first embarrassed and not interested. He then changes his mind. The summer progresses with several encounters in a hotel between Ben and Mrs Robinson, until Ben's parents and Mr Robinson encourage Ben to take Elaine out (Mr and Mrs Robinson's daughter). Drama ensues and things proceed to their final conclusion.

Director

Annie Whittaker

Annie started out in musical theatre at school (Maisie in The Boyfriend) and then diversified into straight theatre when a tertiary instructor suggested she join Dolphin Theatre. A few years on and that's what she did starting out taking drama classes with the inestimable Sheila Summers and doing a couple of roles before getting married and having her daughter.

On her return to theatre she was for years a technician and stage manager until she decided to give directing a go. Annie directed Neil Labute's This Is How It Goes at Theatreworks; Sorkin's A Few Good Men at Dolphin Theatre; Kings of the Gym at Titirang Theatre; The God of Carnage at Dolphin Theatre; won the very last Short & Sweet festival with Tanya Wheeler's It Could Happen to Anyone; The Bach at Ellerslie's Stables Theatre; Death & Taxe$ at Dolphin Theatre (winner of ACTT's Outstanding Comedy 2021); Flint Street Nativity at Dolphin Theatre; then swerved into Shakespeare with The Comedy of Errors and Much Ado About Nothing both at Dolphin Theatre.

After a wee break from theatre whilst dealing with an illness she is now back and looking forward to directing again.

Annie is ex Dolphin Theatre committee and currently secetary for the Auckland Community Theatre Trust (ACTT) and one of their competition adjudicators.

Cast

Why not audition for this classic play!

Dolphin theatre is a community theatre and is run entirely by volunteers.
All acting roles are unpaid.