Big week for versatile actress

Big week for versatile actress

This week Elena Stejko blends her Kiwi life and Russian heritage - and mixes in a large measure of Shakespeare.

Elena Stejko, actor, teacher, director and disciple of Chekhov and Stanislavsky has been in New Zealand since 1995.

Now she is starring in a New Zealand film with Russian characters that has its world premiere on 20th and 22nd July at the New Zealand International Film Festival in Auckland. A bittersweet comedy about two refugee artists from Russia getting to grips with life in the South Pacific, Russian Snark is the directorial debut of screenwriter Stephen Sinclair.

And on the 24th of July Elena is on stage as Lady Capulet in an innovative Auckland Theatre Company production of Romeo and Juliet. It will be her first role with ATC and her second appearance in the play. In her only other appearance she played Juliet - in Russian.

The Willem Wassenaar production runs at the Maidment Theatre until 14 August. Benjamin Farry, another multi-talented Robert Bruce Agency client plays Tybalt and has also choreographed the fight scenes.

Elena’s passion for teaching and developing talent is undiminished. The Elena Stejko Actor’s Studio in Auckland has built a strong following. ‘The insights and disciplines of Michael Chekhov and Constantin Stanislavsky are as relevant now as they ever were’, says Elena. ‘Acting is much more than technique, of course, but as tools for an actor they are fundamental.’

Her students are drawn from across theatre community, including the carefully selected young actors who are part of the ‘Robert Bruce Rookies’ group.

A graduate of the University of Culture in Kiev, Elena worked in South America before coming to New Zealand. She has travelled widely as teacher, director and actor, including a role in The Promise, a Japanese television drama.

ENDS

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