Cian White – 2008 

Formerly from Rotorua, Cian Elyse White was a student at John Paul College, which is consistently involved in SGCNZ’s annual UOSWFSS. Cian was spotted for her talent in 2006, when she was awarded best female in a role at the Rotorua Regional UOSWFSS for Lady Macbeth by adjudicator Jonathon Hendry (Acting Tutor at Toi Whakaari), and from there was selected to perform in the National Festival in Wellington.

Cian was accepted into Toi Whakaari:NZ Drama School in 2007 and was the 2008 recipient of the Museum Hotel Scholarship. Since receiving this scholarship, Cian has travelled to perform in Greece, Rome, Taiwan and the USA with various professional theatre projects, and has worked for various nationally acclaimed company’s such as The Auckland Theatre Company, The Court Theatre and most recently has formed her own company for M?ori theatre projects.

In 2012, Cian Elyse was cast in the award winning NZ feature film Fantail, which premiered at the Sky City Theatre to a packed house of 800 plus. In TV, Cian has enjoyed roles in Underbelly, The Blue Rose, BBC Americas new fantasy TATAU, which shot in Rarotonga for 6 weeks last year, and is currently working as a core cast member on another TV series for Channel 7’s new prime time comedy drama.

Cian is continually thankful for the wonderful support that Chris Parkin, Dawn Sanders and the scholarship provided for her in her earlier years at Drama school. “I’m so grateful for the support the Museum Hotel Scholarship provided for me. What a gift! Nga mihi ki a k?rua!”