Acting helps conquer fear

Bowen fell in love with acting at high school.

Kumeu actor Reuben Bowen was afraid of public speaking in high school, but now he’s embarking on an acting career.

The 22-year-old is set to star in The Merry Wives of Windsor in the Auckland Summer Shakespeare Festival, from February 18. The eight day festival will see Bowen perform in front of crowds of people – something he’d never thought he’d do.

‘‘When I was a younger I was more into paleontology, science and marine biology.’’

But he took drama in year 10 because he was terrified of public speaking, and wanted to conquer it.

‘‘I thought, ‘whatever I did, if I got good at it, I’d have to speak in public’.’’

He fell in love with acting from there, he says.

‘‘As I got older I fell in love with telling stories and the ability to affect someone, or to make them remember something important.’’

Bowen left school in 2013 to study a Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts at Unitec. He graduated in 2015. In 2016 Bowen played Antony in Antony and Cleopatra at the Pop-up Globe, and the Prologue in Auckland Shakespeare Company’s Lucrece project.

This year he’s set to star in The Merry Wives of Windsor directed by experienced theatre practitioner, Stuart Devenie.

Originally set up as assistant director to Devenie, he wound up in the lead role of Flagstaff.

Bowen will performing be in the Auckland Summer Shakespeare Festival, beneath the clock tower, at University of Auckland, February 18-25.

For more details go to The Auckland Shakespeare Company Facebook page for more information.