We get to know another of the talented up and comers on the theatre scene, 21-year-old director Adam Moorhead. As you will find out when you read on, he is hilarious, and has a play on stage right now! Tell us a bit about yourself? Age, where from, single or attached? Hey you! My name's Adam Moorhead, I'm 21 years old, and I direct films and theatre (when I'm not flirting with lawyers or crying into a set of files in an office job). I currently live in Auckland and love the night life here; it's what makes a show's after-party so good! If you've seen me (or my raging personality) on the scene, it's time you knew what I do beyond the sheets of your bed (cheeky!). I'm so sorry... My partner will be hugely impressed with that opening statement. Moving along... What’s your coming out story? My gay story is conveniently all tied up with performing arts, commencing from when I fell madly in love with a fellow practitioner. And I didn't know I liked fellows until then. But really, if I go deep into my memory chest, I think I knew I was different when I was five-years-old. I thought some strapping young lad in his high-waisted pants and slicked over hair was incredibly handsome. But I was told that a boy couldn't like another boy, and so I think I always grew up thinking that being gay was wrong, and so I never explored it. Until I figured myself out when I was 19 and suddenly couldn't get enough of it. And by "it" I definitely mean theatre. What drove you to theatre? Always the performer, I took to the stage like a moth to the flame. And it literally did burn me out. There was something about theatre that I loved, but I didn't totally enjoy performing. I stepped into the director's shoes for the first time in my last year at Rangitoto College, when I directed the school play "Five Angels" by Hone Kouka. Suddenly, I could make an audience feel what I intended without them witnessing my shocking acting. And that's where it started. Now I absolutely love working with actors and technicians, and then having a good schmooze with the industry folk after a show. It's all so much fun. What is FOB all about? FOB is a 1980 American play by David Henry Hwang, and this is the first time it's hit Auckland's shores. FOB, Fresh Off the Boat, is at its heart about stereotyping a minority, and how that minority has dealt with the abuse and isolation it is handed. In New Zealand, "fob" is often used to describe new Pacific Island immigrants. I had never even heard of the term before reading the play for the first time, and yet I've found the majority of my friends use the term in this context. Our play deals with Asian immigrants to America however, and so we are marketing the play as much as possible to Auckland's Asian community. PAT Theatre Company saw a lack of Asian representation in the theatre scene, and a play that deals with racism was a perfect first project. Since starting the project, we've all realised how racist we inertly are. It just depends on whether you say the thoughts aloud, or if they just angrily spiral through your head for a second. Or a lifetime. Or generations. What sets FOB apart is that it deals with racism WITHIN the same community. American-born Chinese pitted against Chinese immigrants. What's going on there?! I was fascinated from the very first page of the play. How did your experiences of gay stereotyping help you direct it? As a purely white "New Zealand-European", I had absolutely no idea how an Asian has dealt with racism. I'd grown up with an Asian majority dominating my friendship circle, and the thought of them being subjected to racism simply never occurred to me. In casting FOB, actor Benjamin Teh posed the critical question of why I was involved, and what perspective did I bring? It dawned on me that I actually have dealt with stereotyping, as I too am in a minority. I've certainly been exposed to... gaycism. I've had people walk past me on the streets and say "fag" rather than "fob". It cuts you deep if you let it. But instead of punching someone's lights out (Mum would be so proud), I've been able to channel the hate into this play. So whilst the actors have been drawing from their personal experiences with racism, I've been able to relate to them from another very valid perspective. And the play works. It really comes to life. Where to from here for you? I'd love to get more into Asian theatre. FOB has elements of Chinese Opera - you must see the gorgeous masks we have lining the set - and this fascinates me. I've been very much working in Film and TV recently, but I'm keen to stick to theatre for a while. If I get my hands on another meaty script, I'll definitely put it on the stage. Or maybe we'll do something more with FOB? Come along and let me know, aye? And if you're interested in collaborating (haven't even touched a gay story yet- where have I been?!?), show me what you've got. Love ya x FOB Details: Venue: The Basement Studio Dates: Tuesday 25th June through to Saturday 29th, 7pm. Duration: 1 hour Cost: $15 Concession, $18 Standard Adult. Cast: Chye-Ling Huang James Roque Benjamin Teh GayNZ.com staff - 28th June 2013