When you’re being chased around a school hall dressed as a giant huhu grub for a living, or strapped up on chains for a mock torture scene, you know you’ve chosen an interesting career.

After acting at university, I took part in several amateur productions around Christchurch. After completing a course at Hagley Theatre Company, I toured with the Whakarite Theatre Company in 1994, performing in 120 schools around New Zealand.

Acting has taken me to some interesting places, from leading armies in Shakespearean drama to charity work as Paddington Bear (a wide range?), from 10-minute plays to touring theatre, from Brecht to Pratchett. I’ve also eaten teeth (Toothy Peg), had a ghost jog through me (The Frighteners), and been tortured with a circular saw (Vanished) in several short and feature films. Since arriving in Melbourne in 1996, I’ve performed with companies such as Hartwell Players, Eagle’s Nest Theatre and The Owl & Cat Theatre. I’ve also taken part in simulated patient cases.

Offstage, I’ve worked in stage management, lighting operation and set construction for productions in Melbourne. More recently I’ve designed posters, flyers and programmes, and was editor of Theatrecraft, the monthly newsletter of The Victorian Drama League, for over 9 years.