A grassroots bid to get a talented young trans woman from the central North Island to a drama workshop has received wide support and is nearing its fundraising target. Auckland trans woman and theatre stalwart Lexie Matheson took up the cause of high school student Te Awarangi, known as “Awa”, after being approached privately by New Zealand theatre great Miranda Harcourt. Harcourt is a tutor at the Creative and Performing Arts School at Scots College in Wellington, and asked Matheson if there was any way she could help Awa take part in its April Drama Intensive, because of her circumstances and her extraordinary talent. “Life is never straightforward for trans people and I was impressed by Awa's courage and Miranda's passion,” Matheson says. “We raised $1,200 for my son to donate to the Mental Health Foundation a year ago so I figured use Facebook again, this time for Awa. In a way like a more personal form of crowd sourcing. “I had no idea it would take off like this though. The family are really moved and it's already done great things for Awa's confidence. Completing the process would mean the earth to her. I’m Looking forward to meeting her myself.” Te Awarangi says acting is her true passion, something which began when she was just a toddler and she and her mother were extras in Lord of The Rings: Return of the King. She’s gone on to make her own short films, one of which you can see here “I believe that it’s not the just acting that creates the character but getting to know your character and becoming them inside out,” she’s told supporters. So far $800 of the minimum $1,000 needed has been raised, thanks to donations from more than 50 people. Matheson says raising more than the initial $1,000 target would be great, because supporters are now working on getting Awa to Auckland for the holidays to do an internship and to meet the girls from Fine Fatale and have a look at the Pacific Institute of Performing Arts. To make a donation: bank account Scots College: 01-0504-0048892-03codeword AWA
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Saturday, 21st March 2015 - 10:28am