HTC TUTORS - 2023
Artistic Director
Cameron Mattox
B.Ed Theatre/Drama. B.Ed Media/
GradDip Drama in Education
Cameron has been working in theatre and drama in education for over 40 years.
In this time he has taught at all levels of education, been involved in curriculum research and design and has acted in and directed numerous plays and commercial work. Cameron has worked in Australia and the USA teaching and directing for professional theatre companies and Universities. He recently returned from Brooklyn College (USA) where he was invited to teach as a guest tutor.
Since he arrived in 1990 Cameron has developed a unique course of study for Hagley Theatre Company where he is currently Artistic Director. He steers the contemporary nature of our public performances and is responsible for introducing the popular Scene+ and Hagley Bytes seasons to Christchurch audiences.
Cameron is the Company's Head of Acting and tutors Stage Direction while he also directs major seasons. In addition to his work with the Company Cameron is Head of Department (Performing Arts) for Hagley College.
Voice, Viewpoints, Physical Theatre
Rachael Schönberger
BHSc/ NZRN/ PGDip Sports Medicine/ Dip Contemporary Music/ GradDip Teaching and Learning
Rachael is a Voice Practitioner, Singer and Songwriter who has performed in Christchurch since the early 2000's and has been involved in all levels of voice and music education. With a Health Science background, Rachael has a long working experience with a wide range of clients in voice therapy and voice development with particular expertise in working with performers and other professional voice users. She guides our students through Voice development and Slam Poetry project work.
Previously Rachael ran her own business consulting in Sports Nutrition and Exercise Prescription, and has written and taught a specialist course for the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic. She has trained and competed in various disciplines from Ceroc Dancing, a free-form Street Latin dance style, to Seido Karate, and her interest in the art of performance was a natural progression to Physical Theatre, in which Rachael directs various projects each year.
Scriptwriting
Brendon Bennetts
BA English, Grad. Dip . Education
Brendon joined our staff in 2015 and teaches scriptwriting to both year levels.
He has written several plays for young audiences including Little Red Riding Hood (Court Theatre, Fortune Theatre, Centrepoint Theatre) and Shakespeare: As You Write It (for New Zealand Playhouse). Stag Weekend, Brendon's full length play co-written with Dan Bain was performed at the Court Theatre in 2014 and Centrepoint in 2016.
Brendon is responsible for guiding our students towards completing a number of projects, notably the Hagley Bytes One Minute Play Festival.
Brendon is also an experienced improvisor and has been performing with the Court Jesters (Scared Scriptless) for almost 20 years. He was part of victorious teams in the 2019 NZ Theatresports National Championships and the 2022 Theatresports Grand Championships in Brisbane.
Yoga
Zoe Brotherton
Level Two Yoga Teacher Training, Pre-natal, Level Three Reiki
Zoe has been teaching yoga at various locations in the South Island of Aotearoa since completing her first 200hr yoga teacher training (YTT) in 2017 at Kindred Studio in Nelson. She has a passion for transformational practices that develop a deeper connection to, and understanding of, the whole body.
Zoe has continued to expand her knowledge and insight, completing a 22hr Pre-natal YTT in 2019 with Bliss Baby Yoga, a 200hr Level Two YTT in 2022 with My Health Yoga, and becoming a Level Three Reiki practitioner in 2022, through Lisa Allan of Wintergreen Creative. Zoe is the owner of Life Tree Yoga, a boutique mobile yoga business based in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
Film & Television
Richard Bell
MA
Richard has owned film production companies in London, Los Angeles and New Zealand.
He has produced hundreds of music videos and commercials, all over the world, as well as short films, features and many live productions.
Richard emigrated to New Zealand 20 years ago and now runs his production company Shuriken, here in Christchurch, through which he has directed award-winning music videos and short films as well as numerous TV commercials.
Richard works with our students on acting for screen and also teaches film and acting at the New Zealand Broadcasting School (Ara Institute of Canterbury).
Dance
Fleur De Thier
Fleur has been working professionally in the dance industry for the last 32 years. She trained for three years full time at Auckland Performing Arts School (now Unitec) graduating in 1991. Fleur worked as a freelance dancer in Auckland before returning to base herself in Christchurch in 1993.
Fleur is an established New Zealand choreographer and has had works featured nationally in Arts Festivals throughout the last decade. Fleur is known for her diversity and connections with many different companies Including Jolt Dance Theatre, Rebound, Southern Lights Dance Company ,Unitec ,Footnote and Hagley Dance Company.
Fleur has most recently been exploring collaborations with visual artists presenting works with sculptor Robyn Webster and Puppet Maker Simon van den Sluijs.
Brynley
Stent
I am really grateful for my training at Hagley Theatre Company. It provided me with an incredible base to begin further training and acting with the industry.
Brynley Stent
Actor/comedian/writer
HTC alumni (2009)
About
Hagley Theatre Company is a self-contained, independent training and performance programme attached to Hagley College in Ōtautahi Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand. In 2023, the Company celebrated 35 years of providing expert, hands-on tuition and contemporary performance experiences to young people from all over the country. To apply for our 2024 intake, please submit our application form.