Wellington Talent wins prestigious drama scholarship

Wellington Talent wins prestigious drama scholarship

Media Release

13 November 2014

Olivia Mahood, a second year student at Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School in Wellington, has been awarded the prestigious Museum Art Hotel Scholarship for 2014.

The 23 year old was presented with the scholarship at a graduation ceremony in Wellington yesterday afternoon. Olivia was one of several candidates nominated by her fellow students to receive the award and the final decision was made by staff at Toi Whakaari in consultation with Dawn Sanders from Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand (SGCNZ).

The scholarship, which has been funded by Museum Art Hotel owner Chris Parkin for 14 years, covers the recipient’s tuition costs for a year worth over $5,800 and $500 a month for 10 months living expenses.

“This scholarship is all about celebrating excellence and as I am a dedicated supporter of the arts, I want to give young, homegrown talent the opportunity to devote their time to developing their craft and ease the strain of trying to meet course costs. Over the past 14 years I have seen recipients go on to do some amazing things both at home and overseas and it’s really satisfying to be able to help them develop their career further,” said Museum Art Hotel owner Chris Parkin

“The wonderful thing about this scholarship is that it will allow me time to focus on what I love doing and on continuing my creative journey without having to worry about finding a time-consuming job outside of school to pay bills. It is a rare gift to be granted that space to really work on your passion, and I am incredibly thankful to Chris Parkin to be the recipient of such generosity.” said recipient Olivia Mahood.

Olivia attended Kerikeri High School. While there she participated in SGCNZ's University of Otago Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival in the Northland region with a scene from Othello between Desdemona and Emilia, playing Desdemona.

"Reflecting on that scene now and the choices I made in playing Desdemona, it was perhaps the beginning of an exploration of subtlety, nuance and connection with another actor that has resurfaced in my work at Toi Whakaari, with my solo and particularly in my screen work,” said Olivia.

Prior to applying for Toi Whakaari:NZ Drama School, Olivia was an active and valued member of the Long Cloud Youth Theatre in Wellington for two years. She successfully auditioned for Toi Whakaari, beginning her training there in 2013. Through her training at Toi Whakaari she has discovered her abilities on screen and has great potential in that medium.

The Museum Art Hotel Scholarship is open to all second year students who have demonstrated excellence at Toi Whakaari and have the potential to ‘shine’. Previous recipients include Brooke Williams, now starring on Shortland Street, Dan Musgrove, in Underbelly, Cian White and Alex Tarrant currently being filmed in Rarotonga for a BBC series.

ENDS

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