Win sets the stage for Nelson teen to go Globe-trotting
A dream is coming true for budding actor Zarek Wentzell, who has been selected as the only Nelsonian to perform at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London.
Wentzell, 17, said he had recently discovered his passion for Shakespeare but it was already taking him places.
He performed a scene from The Taming of the Shrew at the regional University of Otago Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival and gained a direct entry into the National Shakespeare Schools Production in Dunedin last September.
Together with 47 other students from throughout New Zealand, Wentzell said they spent a week down south participating in workshops and making new friends.
‘‘We learnt a lot, we did a similar thing to what we’re doing in London where we rehearsed a 40-50 minute exert from one of Shakespeare’s plays and performed it in Dunedin.
‘‘All within a week, yeah it was really full on but it was an amazing experience.’’
Twenty-four students were selected at the end of the festival to go to London in July for two and a half weeks to perform at the Globe.
‘‘It was amazing, I met so many new friends.
‘‘It was the kindest, most accepting, creative group of people I’ve ever been around and I go to London with half of them.’’
‘‘The selection to go to London was kind of the cherry on top of what was already a great week.’’
Wentzell said he was going to add on another two months of travel to the Shakespeare trip to see parts of Italy and the United Kingdom.
He said he had been working ever since graduating from Garin College last year to pay for the trip.
Wentzell said he had been performing in local plays for several years, including roles in Hairspray the musical, Rent, Next to Normal, The Producers and Jesus Christ Superstar.
‘‘I like to do a whole bunch of different performing.
‘‘It’s gives me a bit of a thrill. I think everyone has their one passion in life and this is my passion.’’
The Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand Young Shakespeare Company’s trip to London comes with the price tag of $8500.
Wentzell said he had set up a GiveALittle Page to help with fundraising and he also had a fundraising quiz night coming up at the Playhouse on April 23.
He said he’d like to study performing arts at university next year and had been looking at going to Australia.
To donate, visit givealittle.co.nz/cause/zarek-touk-2017.