18 March 2026
Together with his brother Caspar and father Thomas, Geronimo LaHood plays a supporting role in Speed Is Emotional, the theatre 'extravaganza' created and performed by his mother Jo Randerson which had its Wellington premiere in the 2026 Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts.
We catch up with Geronimo (18) to talk about being on stage with whānau, his passion for violin, and learning sign language.
We meet in the Circa foyer just before Geronimo begins preparing for another performance of Speed Is Emotional – the first of two audio-described performances. We take a seat and suddenly a small dog dashes across the space … Geronimo races after rescuing his dog, Panny (she’s half papillon with quarter chihuahua and quarter Maltese). “She’s such a great little theatre dog, except when she escapes.” Panny settles in to join us for the interview.
I start by asking Geronimo about whether Speed is Emotional is the first time the family has performed together on stage. He hesitates, saying they have done a few things together before, but this is really the first time the four of them have worked together on the same production. “Mum’s being working on this for ages, and she’s always wanted to do something as a family and this is our story.”
He laughs saying there are “a lot of great things about working with family … but there’s also challenges, mostly around logistics and holding each other professionally accountable. There were definitely some tense car rides.”
In the show, we see Geronimo’s talent as a violinist – he’s in his first year studying for a Bachelor of Arts at Victoria University majoring in Education with Violin Performance minor. “It’s been a crazy time juggling the start of university and the show,” he says.
“I’ve been learning violin for nine years and over the last few years I’ve really fallen in love with it – it’s fun to work hard on a skill you can then share with others and it’s become my passion.”
He says the show has provided a great opportunity to unite with the family musically with Caspar (14) on keyboard and Thomas on drums. “Dad only started playing drums for the show and it’s been great fun.”
There have been so many great things about doing the show, but what I enjoy the most is seeing and hearing people’s reactions – a lot of people find things resonate with them and feel really ‘seen’. And seeing Mum being able to be out there and express herself and say wild things which have people agree and recognise themselves is just so powerful. She’s struggled with ADHD her whole life and she’s able to go out there and say it’s not a bad thing.”
Geronimo adds that the show highlights how different brains work and he says is favourite quote is that ‘what matters most of all is we can ask for help and get the help we need’.
Speed Is Emotional is being presented as fully accessible and all performances are ‘Relaxed Performances’ meaning people can come and go if they need to. Additionally, the season features two audio-described performances and three NZSL-interpreted shows. Geronimo, together with his family, took up the opportunity to learn some NZSL to incorporate it into the show.
“I’ve been interested in NZSL since my later years at high school and it is one of our official languages in Aotearoa. I think it’s so important that everyone knows a little bit and that means so much to our Deaf community.”
Geronimo says being part of a ‘theatre family’ means it is inevitable he will be on the stage again. “I love the style of work Mum does – it’s very free and fun and offers opportunities to engage with audiences.”
Speed Is Emotional continues at Circa Theatre until Sunday 28 March.
Special Offer for ARTicle subscribers: Book for performances on Tuesday 24, Wednesday 25 or Thursday 26 March (NZSL integrated and Audio Described show*) and receive a special $15 discount off full price adult seats – meaning tickets are a sweet $30 (plus booking fees) each. Select your adult tickets and at final checkout enter code SPEEDFAN in the Discount/Voucher box.
*$20 Access and companion tickets also available
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