Teone Kahu (SGCNZ NSSP 2010, SGCNZ YSC 2011)

Teone Kahu is a Maori actor and father from Aranui in Christchurch.  He was a student of Matua Robert Gilbert at Aranui High School where he studied at the Drama Academy. Teone’s tale into meeting Shakespeare is a little different from your usual story. He didn’t like drama, didn’t know Shakespeare and didn’t really care about much.

He came from very humble beginnings and before meeting Matua Robert had different plans for his life. The journey wasn’t easy and at times he thought about going back to his old ways, then that all changed when he stood on stage for the first time reciting Shakespeare from Macbeth, but not your normal Scottish Macbeth we all know. A rugged, drug gang leader from the streets of Aotearoa. Something must’ve stood out from that moment because Teone went on to attend SGCNZ NSSP 2010, was a member of the SGCNZ YSC 2011 and had the honour of MCing the SGCNZ UOSWSF twice. He  went on to do  television and win top honours at the Norfolk Island Theatre Festival for Best Male Actor. Teone credits all his success to his mother Teresa, Matua Gilbert, Cilla Glasson and of course Dawn Sanders, for not only changing his life but helping him find his passion for Shakespeare. Now the world’s a stage for the young man who is currently living in Auckland chasing his dream of becoming an actor. What’s next for Teone? You will just have to wait and see.