Nathaniel Lees joins Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School

Veteran actor Lilomaiava Nathaniel Lees joined the acting department Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School in Wellington last week. A New Zealand born film, stage and screen actor of Samoan heritage, Nathaniel is know to many for his roles in films such as The Matrix Trilogy, The Lord of the Rings, 30 Days of Night, The Tattooist, No 2, Sione's Wedding and the TV series Power Rangers: Jungle Fury.

Nathaniel has a long association with Toi Whakaari and has previously taught block courses in the acting department. Whilst putting the word out to others in the industry that Toi Whakaari had a vacancy for a senior acting and screen tutor, he realised that he was actually the guy for the job. "It was time. Time to be here after tutoring on and off, time to commit on a full time basis. I am very excited about coming to the School at this time."

The Bachelor of Performing Arts Acting programme at Toi Whakaari has recently been awarded the prestigious NZ Screen Council ScreenMark accreditation for high quality, relevant, successful, practical tertiary level courses in the film and theatre industry. It is the only acting programme in the country to have such an accolade, so the appointment of an international film actor to the department is testament to the School's commitment to training for the screen.

Not only does Nathaniel have a 30 year career in acting on stage and screen, directing and teaching which he will bring to the School, but as he intends to keep working in the film industry whilst teaching at Toi Whakaari the students get to translate what they learn at the School to what actually happens out there in the industry. He also intends to bring new people to the School such as actors and practitioners from the industry to help the School and students build relationships with and learn from them. As a Samoan, Nathaniel reflects the pacific influences of the screen and performing arts industry that we are seeing more and more of in New Zealand. His recent appearances in two highly successful New Zealand films No. 2 and Siones's Wedding are evidence of this and something that Toi Whakaari strives to achieve.

The staff and students at Toi Whakaari are thrilled to have Nathaniel on the staff (there are still a few star struck looking students to be found in the cafe at lunchtime). This is an exciting time for the School and Nathaniel is looking forward to contributing to the reshaping of the acting course at Toi Whakaari and the performing arts in New Zealand.

Head of Acting, Jonathon Hendry talks about Nathaniel coming on to the acting team: "Nathaniel as been an inspiration and mentor to many of us in the industry. His commitment to the development of young practitioners and in particular emerging Pacific Island artists has long been acknowledged. We look forward to harnessing his considerable experience as we move toward marking forty years of training the best and the brightest in Aotearoa/ New Zealand."

When asked what piece of advice you would give to someone who wants to train to be an actor, Nathaniel suggests: "Have a really good think about it. Acting is not to be entered into lightly, or something easy to do to fill the time. Acting is a craft, a very difficult craft even for those who have a passion for it. But you will be joining a family of like minded people, creative people coming together to tell stories of New Zealand, and that is something very special indeed."

26/05/08