Liz Kirkman
I've been working as a theatre educator and actress for the last ten years. Last year I shared the role of Artist in School, at Tikipunga High School Whangarei, creating a community theatre piece with students. Have worked with Kapital Kids, Capital E, Perform Educational Musicals! and Kore Theatre touring Shakespeare through secondary schools for the last two years.
Performative:
Singing - Choir performances from age 7 to 17. Played Clarinet for four years, approx to Grade 5 level. Can sight read music. Devising Directing Love of heights (climbing, jumping, harness work etc) Basic stunt skills Juggling Basic Japanese (Studied for 4 years) Technical Ability (Lighting, SM)
Victoria University 2000-02 Massey University PN 1998-99 Freyberg High School PN 1994-97
BA Hons Theatre - (Directing, Scriptwriting, Community Theatre) Victoria University 02 BA Theatre - (Theory, Technical Development, Company Performance etc) Victoria University 00 Sixth Form Certificate School Certificate
FILM AND TELEVISION Apr 2008 ALAC - "Lisa - Confidence Booster" 'Lisa' - Lead Dir. Adam Stevens - Robbers Dog 45sec TV Advert Nov 2007 880 Productions - Avatar 'Avatar' Dir. James Cameron Head of Meteorology Operations Center Aug 2004 South Pacific Pictures 'Shortland Street' Guest Role 'Kayla McKinley' Jun 2004 Hippo Productions 'Direct Line' 48 hour Film Dir. Simon Raby 'Margarita' July 2003 TVNZ 'Rugby World Cup Promo' Auckland Bar Patron 23 May 03 Three Foot Six Ltd 'The Lord of the Rings - Trilogy' Wellington, Dir Peter Jackson Gondorian Civilian 22 Dec 02 Dir Mike Bridgman 'Seek no More' Music Video Music by 50hz and Ladi6 Featured extra on bus Nov-Feb 02/03 Gibson Group 'The Strip' Wellington Extra Sep 2001 Gibson Group 'The Strip' Wellington Featured 'Dope Smoker' Jun 2001 Gibson Group 'The Strip' Wellington Extra for pilot Jun 2001 Avalon Studios 'Dark Knight' Wellington Vampire Nun May 2001 Callum Taylor ''Discovering James Bond' Wgtn Film Festival Psycho ex-girlfriend Liz Apr 2001 Gibson Group 'Blonde Cargo' Wellington Camp Girl Dec 2000 Factory (John Downie, 'Writing on the Wall' Jo Randerson, Stephen Bain) Installation Piece Nov00-Mar01 Kahukura Productions 'Love Bites' Wellington Extra-Studio Nine, Co2, Cafe Fix etc Oct 2000 Gibson Group 'Clare' Wellington 1960's Nurse Apr 2000 Anna Lee/Short Film 'Straight' Wellington (w. Jeremy Randerson & Gentian Lupi) Amy Feb 2000 Stick Men Films 'Stickmen' Wellington Extra- Load Cafe Mar 1999 MUVIMAC entry P. Braithwaite 'The Family' Massey University Sarah Mar 1999 MUVIMAC entry, collaborated 'Velocumentary' Documentary on my band, Velotic Jun 1996 Dog TV ' Regional TV 'Dog TV' Palmerston North Presenter and VJ THEATRE Apr 26-May 5 07 'A Bright Room Called Day' By Tony Kushner, Dir. Rachel Lenart of Theatre Militia, Lead/Agnes, Bats Theatre Wgtn Mar-Nov 05 "The Farm at the End of the Road" Directed by Peter Wilson. Musical Direction, Laughton Patrick. 45 minute puppet and song show for 2-7 year olds. Performed from Whangarei to Invercargill, to 50 000 kiwi kids. 24 Feb-13 Mar 04 'Auditor!!' Directed by James Sutherland A physical theatre piece involving a 17 person ensemble cast, multimedia and a traverse stage...revisiting Nikolai Gogol's 'The Government Inspector'. Rewritten by John Downie, this piece looked at the political condition in small town New Zealand in the 1980's. 20-22 Nov 03 'Scratch and Sniff Dance Shorts II' Solo performer in piece 'Awkward', a reflection of violence shown through movement/music and film. choreographed/directed by Wilhemeena Gordon. Corban Estate Art Centre, Waitakere City 4-8 Mar 03 'Junk' Writer, producer, director and lead actor The story of my Aunt who was the first female undercover police officer in NZ Performed at the Newtown Community Centre for the Fringe Festival 26-30 Nov 02 'A Despoiled Shore' Devised Graduation piece for Masters of Theatre Arts Mrs Ham ' Part of ensemble of refugees searching for Paradise Directed by Jacqui Coates at Studio 77, Victoria University 18 Nov 02 'The Children's Hour' 10min excerpt for Master of Theatre Arts course. Martha ' headmistress struggling with her sexuality Directed by Jacqui Coates at Sudio 77, Victoria University 28 Sep 02 'From Below' A play for the Socialist Community of Wellington Caryl Churchill, Margaret Thatcher and chorus. Directed by James Sutherland at Aro Hall, Wellington 22 Sep 02 'Sitting' By Victoria Wynne-Jones A small play. Two women exploring space... Directed by Liz Kirkman at The Space, Newtown, Wellington 14-17 Aug 02 'Alice' - A physical exploration of Alice in Wonderland. Queen and part of physical chorus Directed by Richard Dey, performed at Studio 77, Vic and at the James Cabaret 12-15 Jun 02 'Silence is the Force that Generates Confession.' Solo Performer ' Noir styled physical piece. Directed by James Sutherland performed at NeutGallery Newtown 7-9 Jun 02 'Blue Suits Won't Fit' Devised community theatre piece by 405 students 'Donna' - a staunch female cop Performed at 93 Kelburn Pde and the Wellington Central Police Station Bar 31Jan-23Feb 02 'Romeo and Juliet' ' Summer Shakespeare One of the three Fates, Lachesis (Fate-weaver of life's threads) Performed at the Studio 77 Ampitheatre & Gladstone Vineyard 26-29 Sep 01 'Descry' Directors Season Lighting/Sound Design, LFX Operation - Liz Kirkman Dir. V.Slinn, E.Keddell, J.Wayers Studio 77, Vic 22-25 Aug 01 'The Correct Proportions of Eva' By Ryan McFadyen Dir. Liz Kirkman Studio 77, Vic 26 Jun 14 Jul 01 'Shootout' By Ryan McFadyen Evening Post Critic ' Annette Dir. James Hadley Bats Theatre 19-24 Mar 01 'Life's Little Losses' By Lucy O'Brien Lighting Designer and Operator - Liz Kirkman Dir. Laura Staples Bats Theatre 8 Feb-3 Mar 01 'Cymbeline' ' Summer Shakespeare Queen, Roman Lord and Jupiter Dir. Peter Hambleton Studio 77, Vic & Gladestone Vineyard Nov 2000 'In' Devised, directed and performed by Lucy Aitken, Helen Middlemass, Jess Batchelor and myself Studio 77, Vic Oct 2000 'Albert Names Edward' Woman in Red Dir. Claire Noble Studio 77, Vic Sep 2000 'No Mans Land' By Pip Hall Iris (70 year-old woman) Dir. Janelle Jeffrey Studio 77, Vic Sep 2000 'The Spurt of Blood' By Antonin Artaud Whore Dir. Richard Knowles Studio 77, Vic Sep 2000 'Hamletmachine' By Heiner Muller Hamlet's controller/puppetmaster Dir.James Sutherland Studio 77, Vic Jun 2000 'The Feigned Courtesans' By Aphra Behn. Cornelia Dir. David O'Donnell Studio 77, Vic May 2000 'Comrade Savage' By Alan Brunton Harriet Powell and Chorus Dir. Alan Brunton Studio 77, Vic Apr 2000 'Guests and Foreigners' - Group devised, site specific work relating to Joseph Kosuth exhibition, overseen by D. O'Donnell Adam Art Gallery Nov-Dec 99 'The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas' Linda Lou PN Operatic Society, Dir. Kevin Rush, Abbey Theatre, P.N Oct 99 'Miss Julie' By August Strindberg Julie Dir. Dick Corbalis Massey University Sep 99 'Pinter piece' collaboration of many works, devised in group Ruth (Homecoming), and his 2nd wife Massey University 25-28 Aug 99 “Countdown Festival†'The Interview' By Sue Olsen Secretary Dir. Susan Simcock 'The Bet' Lawyer Dir. Nigel Edgecombe 'Person right next to me' By Phil Braithwaite Wife Self Directed Massey University May 99 'Lord of the Wings - Capping Show' Actor in various skits Dir. Rob McCann Massey University Mar 99 'Mort' By Terry Pratchet Princess Keli Dir. Rob McCann Massey University Nov-Dec 98 'Be Bopa Lula' Susie Rella PN Operatic Society Dir. Steven Sayer Abbey Theatre, P.N Aug-Oct 98 'Experimental Theatre' Course Controller Angie Farrow Several devised pieces Massey University Aug-Sep 98 'West Side Story' Rosalia PN Operatic Society Dir. Robert Rimmer Regent Theatre, P.N Nov 97 'MusicHall' Vaudeville Singing and Acting Dir. Zoe Miller Freyberg High, P.N 95, 96, 97 'Shakespeare Festival' 'Romeo & Juliet' Dir. Zoe Miller Juliet 'Twelfth Night' Maria 'Hamlet' Hamlet Aug 95 'Grease' Dir. Doug Mawson Sandy Freyberg High, P.N Apr 95 'The Sound of Music' Dir. Pat Snoxell Liesl Feilding Little Theatre SINGING/MUSIC Jul 07 - Current - Singing with experimental folk/rock/blues genre unspecific music group, 'The Journey'. Led by Suzy Hawes, nominated for Outstanding Music Composer, 2007 Chapman Tripp Awards. Mar 07 - Present Singing throughout Wellington bars with Covers Band, Nova Jul 06 Soloist with Icelandic Gospel Choir, lead by Delaware vocalist Pat Randolph, as part of the LunGa Arts Festival, Seydisfjordur, Iceland. Mar-Nov 05 - 'The Farm at the End of the Road' Capital E, National Theatre for Children. Singing and puppetry for 50, 000 kiwi kids. May 04 ' Aug 04 'Auckland Improvisation Group' Playing clarinet, singing, moving/acting in an improvised performance capacity. Workshopped with Justin Lewis (aka Indian Ink) towards performances on 27/28 Aug. Feb-Nov 04 Vitamin S and 10 Acre Block…Improvised music…Odeon weekly, gigs Aotea Square, and Hamilton…clarinet and voice. Jan 04 Won the Talent Quest at Waihi Beach singing Disco Inferno unaccompanied with 1000 people singing, 'Burn baby burn'. Second place was Eddie from NZ Idol. Jan 03 ' Mar 03 'Sense_' Electronic Group touring w Rhombus Bar Bodega Also performed at Orientation, opening for Salmonella Dub Featured vocalist Soon to be recorded Mar 02 ' May 03 'AviDiva' ' 3 girl pop group. Perform covers of classic and contemporary pop. Private Functions and bar work. Have recorded a demo with 4 tracks on it 31 Jan ' 23 Feb 02 'Romeo and Juliet' Studio 77Ampitheatre Sung for Fate role ' trad. & soundscape work 1 Oct 99 'M.U.V.I.M.A.C ' Not the Oscars' Dir. Rob McCann Solo ' Titanic Theme Regent Theatre, P.N Nov 98-May 99 'Velotic' Original Pop Rock Band Palmerston North Lead Singer Apr 99 'East Coast Blues and Roots Festival' Byron Bay, Australia Backing Scottish artist “Gershon†(other acts ' Ben Harper, Keb' Mo, Angelique Kidjo, John Spencer's Blues Explosion, John Lee Hooker, R L Burnside, Paul Kelly ' 40 000 people) Jan 99 'Experiments in Groove' Album self titled Palmerston North Vocalist for Jazz music Oct 98 'Gershon' Album by Karl Broadie Palmerston North Backing Vocalist Jul-Sept 98 'Lament' Album by Steve Asplin Palmerston North Backing Vocalist May 98 'Rob Guest Concert' P.N.O.S Chorus Regent Theatre, P.N May 98 'Re-opening of the Regent Theatre' Various ensemble and solo roles Regent Theatre, P.N 95-98 Valentines Day Concert in the Square, Opera in the Park etc. Eight concerts with Soprano Kathi Craig. Solo and chorus. Apr 96 'Rotary Convention' 2000 overseas guests Pascal St Stadium, Soloist Palmerston North
Writing, producing, directing and performing in 'Junk'. The story of my Aunt who was the first female police officer in New Zealand. In Auckland 1982, she posed as a prostitute to infiltrate an international heroin drug smuggling ring. Interviewing, then devising and performing a piece about female police officers. Performing it to 50 staunch cops in uniform in their private bar!!! Very scary. Performing solo at Neut Gallery, which onlooks one of the busiest streets in Newtown, Wellington. I was window dressing, in a flowing dress, as I portrayed an act of murder in reverse and had busloads of people gawk at me. Using video imagery, and an amazing soundscape integrating music from Loop recordings, this piece really challenged what is voyeuristic, playing with black and white, and noir stereotypes. The illusion fell apart, as I walked out of the space, and down the road at the end. The many amazing pieces of theatre that have come out of Studio 77. That place really is an amazing haven to allow practitioners to try out new ideas that would be near impossible to achieve in a commercial market. I loved my time there, and have learnt an amazing amount about the practicalities of performance. 99 - Singing at the 10th Annual Byron Bay Blues and Roots Festival. Wow! I just couldn't believe I was there...John Spencer Blues Explosion, Ben Harper, Keb' Mo', Paul Kelly, The Palladins...backstage with all these amazing talented musicians. It really was an inspiring time.
TheatreView Thomas LaHood 10 July 2007 'PIRATES AHOY' Of the cast, the standout performance is Kirkman as the Pirate Queen. Bold and beautiful, and displaying some quite impressive sword-handling skills, she commands the stage with ease from her very first appearance hiding on Cap'n Squid's poopdeck. Darkins also performs with strength and vigor as Squid, playing up the 'stupid dad' element of the character with impeccable timing. Both show a seasoned pantomime sensibility, with Kirkman especially keeping an even keel through physically demanding slapstick and hammy dialogue alike. Dominion Post 1 May 2007 Laurie Atkinson 'A BRIGHT ROOM CALLED DAY' 'Rachel Lenart's cast rise to the challenge with excellent performances all round and with stand-out performances from Hannah Clarke in a highly physical presentation of a ghostly old woman and Liz Kirkman as Agnes, the one who remains true to her beliefs as evil spreads across Germany.' TheatreView John Smythe 27 April 2007 'A BRIGHT ROOM CALLED DAY' 'As Agnes, a bit-part actress and would-be scriptwriter flirting with communism but not yet a signed-up Party member (which arguably saves her, come the crunch), Liz Kirkman authentically embodies a woman torn between self and community, comfort and conscience, action and reaction.' The Dominion Timothy O'Brien 12 February 2001 'CYMBELINE - SUMMER SHAKESPEARE' '...though the characterisation needs a little more of the inner force that makes Shakespeare's women so compelling. No such problem with the wicked queen who, as played by Liz Kirkman could give Lady Macbeth something to shudder about...' National Business Review 14 March 2003 'JUNK' 'Junk by Liz Kirkman and Damien Kennedy dramatises a largely verbatim account of a policewoman's undercover venture into the drug-dealing underworld. It's a powerful piece with strongly drawn support characters - the male cop, the dealer, the prostitute user - that is compelling because it feels authentic. Which it is. I predict a return season somewhere.' Gershon CD review 'Rip It Up' (Adelaide, SA September 20th 2001) BACKING VOCALIST ON ALBUM By My Side is an early highlight, while at first Fake Feathers seems to be one of the lesser numbers - until Liz Kirkman's backing vocals kick in, bringing the song exploding gloriously into life. As Did You Ever See The Sky? says, "sometimes you have to look a little further". Despite the beauty of I Remember You or Find A Better Way, the triumph of the album is Truth Of The Summer. All the songs are easy to sing along to, but this one especially. The sequel to a summer romance, Truth Of The Summer brings the definition of the word "touching" to a new level. As a bonus, it again features Kirkman's backing vox. The Evening Post Laurie Atkinson 25 August 2001 'Students excel with varied trio of plays' '...Ryan McFadyen's The Correct Proportions of Eva uses two actors to play two aspects of one character and it is also full of questions but this New Zealand play, which is directed by Liz Kirkman, is not political and the questions have no permanent answers. Proportions is an elegant if tensionless meditation on the essence of being, of self and body....' The National Business Review February 15 2002 'ROMEO AND JULIET' '...Despite choosing to deliver text un-cut, director James Hadley takes interesting liberties. Drawing from classical Greek drama, three Fates (Klotho the spinner, Lachesis the weaver and Atropos the cutter of life's threads) weave the rich tapestry of this tragic tale, rendering the outcome inevitable while wrapping the proceedings in acappella Renaissance song. Kathryn Tyree, Liz Kirkman and Eleanor Williams make a splendid contribution here with harmonious voice and effectively choreographed movement...' The Evening Post Laurie Atkinson 28 June 2001 'SHOOTOUT' '...But James Hadley's production of Shootout is a gem and Ryan McFadyen's farce is a comic riot...the farce builds brilliantly until mayhem thrillingly breaks loose...' The Dominion Timothy O'Brien 29 June 2001 '...Finally, and truly the icing on this rich cake, was Ryan McFadyen's Shootout. This is the story of the opening night of a hot young playwright's latest work. What we get to see is the audience: critics, Shortland Street celebrities, a Creative New Zealand executive on the lookout for "raw, polished talent", the writer and director, and three young women who've won a radio competition and have taken an acid trip on their way to the theatre. The problem is none of them can work out what's happening in the play - which is conveyed to us by taped voice overs. After seeing a critic in my own position so devastatingly skewered, what can I say? Well, McFadyen was supposed to be one of last year's hot young things but it didn't quite work out that way. This year he's truly delivered the goods. The lines are cut with diamond-hard brilliance and no one, not even the writer himself, is spared. The opening homage to a Celine-like novel is a brazen reminder of the play's European and French influences and a signal that it is delivering a Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie for the Wellington opening-night set. The set - seats papered with reviews from this newspaper and others - was fine, the direction faultless and as a lacerated critic, one can humbly admit that the tears were all from laughter.' Feilding Herald 25 May 1995 '...While all the younger actors did a great job, one to especially shine was Liz Kirkman playing Liesl. She has a lovely singing voice and performed her part well.
ChoreographerDirector Wilhemeena Gordon Soul 9 Woontons Lane Titirangi 0064 9 817 3051 0064 27 661 6618 soulconnection@clear.net.nz Lecturer/Director David O´Donnell Victoria University davidodonnell@vuw.ac.nz
Mobile - 0064 27 584 4530 Email - lizkirkman@gmail.com Agent - Gail Cowan Management +64 9 232 0385 www.gcm.co.nz www.ecaster.com.au
Member Profile
Liz KirkmanSinging, devising theatre, working collaboratively and travelling...
