OUR
Jennifer Te Atamira Ward-Lealand
Official Patron
Jennifer Te Atamira Ward-Lealand
Official Patron
Since training at Auckland’s Theatre Corporate, Jennifer has worked extensively in theatre, film, television, musical and radio for 40 years. She is also a trained Intimacy Coordinator for stage and screen.
Jennifer was a founding board member of the Watershed Theatre and a co-founder of the drama school, The Actors' Program. She is President of Equity New Zealand (since 2008), Patron of Q Theatre, Theatre New Zealand and Te Manu Tīoriori Trust and serves as a trust board member of the Actors Benevolent Fund.
In the 2007 New Year’s Honours List, she was named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to theatre and the community.
In 2018 she was named SPADA Industry Champion and in 2019 New Year’s Honours List, she was named a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) for services to theatre, film and television and presented with a Woman of Influence Award (for arts and culture) Most recently, Jennifer was honoured as the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year 2020.
She was gifted the name Te Atamira (The Stage) by Sir Timoti Karetu and the late Dr Te Wharehuia Milroy for her championing of te reo Māori throughout the performing arts community.
Jennifer was a founding board member of the Watershed Theatre and a co-founder of the drama school, The Actors' Program. She is President of Equity New Zealand (since 2008), Patron of Q Theatre, Theatre New Zealand and Te Manu Tīoriori Trust and serves as a trust board member of the Actors Benevolent Fund.
In the 2007 New Year’s Honours List, she was named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to theatre and the community.
In 2018 she was named SPADA Industry Champion and in 2019 New Year’s Honours List, she was named a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) for services to theatre, film and television and presented with a Woman of Influence Award (for arts and culture) Most recently, Jennifer was honoured as the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year 2020.
She was gifted the name Te Atamira (The Stage) by Sir Timoti Karetu and the late Dr Te Wharehuia Milroy for her championing of te reo Māori throughout the performing arts community.
Hayden Tee
Chair
Hayden Tee
Chair
Hayden hails from Maungaturoto in Northland and identifies as Ngati Tūwharetoa/NZ European. He has made a name for himself globally as an acclaimed performer, director and recording artist in theatre, concert and cabaret on Broadway, the West End and throughout Australia, Asia, and New Zealand. Hayden’s extensive musical theatre portfolio has seen him play Javert in Les Misérables on Broadway, London’s West End, Australia, Dubai, and New Zealand; Marius in Les Misérables on London’s West End and Miss Trunchbull in Matilda on London’s West End and in the international tour. Hayden has performed throughout Australia as Cable in South Pacific; Professor Bhaer in Little Women, Thomas Andrews in Titanic, and Father Grenville in Dead Man Walking.
On the international stage, Hayden has taken on the roles of Jack in Being Earnest, Rutledge in 1776, Prince/Wolf in Into The Woods, Freddy in My Fair Lady, Arthur in Camelot, Hook/Mr Darling in Peter Pan, Mason in Take Me Out, Bustopher Jones/Gus/Growltiger in Cats and Stride/Jekyll/Hyde Alternate in Jekyll and Hyde. Hayden has released three studio albums, ‘Hayden Tee’, ‘Generation whY’ and ‘Face to face’ which are all available on all digital platforms.Hayden is chair of Te Manu Tioriori Trust Inc dedicated to the development of original musical theatre in Aotearoa. He is also a member of the equity diversity committees in Australia and New Zealand.
On the international stage, Hayden has taken on the roles of Jack in Being Earnest, Rutledge in 1776, Prince/Wolf in Into The Woods, Freddy in My Fair Lady, Arthur in Camelot, Hook/Mr Darling in Peter Pan, Mason in Take Me Out, Bustopher Jones/Gus/Growltiger in Cats and Stride/Jekyll/Hyde Alternate in Jekyll and Hyde. Hayden has released three studio albums, ‘Hayden Tee’, ‘Generation whY’ and ‘Face to face’ which are all available on all digital platforms.Hayden is chair of Te Manu Tioriori Trust Inc dedicated to the development of original musical theatre in Aotearoa. He is also a member of the equity diversity committees in Australia and New Zealand.
Emma Blood-Mouat
Secretary/Treasurer
Emma Blood-Mouat
Secretary/Treasurer
Originally from the UK, Emma’s family moved to NZ when she was 9. Emma now lives in Whangārei and considers herself to be Tangata Tiriti. Her journey in musical theatre started when she was very young, singing, dancing and acting. Since then she has been involved in many pro-am & amateur musical theatre productions. Emma has studied singing for many years under the tutelage of Joan Kennaway QSM and Lisbe Jooste and holds the ATCL qualification (with distinction), more recently enjoying being a concert soloist for Opera North and other local groups. An attendee at the NZ Singing School in 2019, Emma considers herself very fortunate to have been taught by world class faculty.
A qualified occupational therapist, Emma has run her consultancy business for many years. Offering paediatric neurorehabilitation, specialist assessment services and professional supervision, Emma’s skills are in demand working in rural Northland with often challenging clinical and social situations. Emma has also worked as a lecturer at AUT educating future occupational therapists, and as a research occupational therapist at UCL in London where she was responsible for writing research grants and running research projects. A member of several charitable organisations over the years (including Rising Starz, a musical theatre charity aimed at children and teens), Emma has utilised her skills in successfully applying for funding for the benefit of the communities she has been part of and supporting creative teams in their creativity.
Emma is excited to be involved with TMTT as it enables her to utilise the skills and knowledge gained working in her profession whilst indulging her passion for music and theatre. Emma is secretary/treasurer of Te Manu Tioriori Trust Inc dedicated to the development of original musical theatre in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
A qualified occupational therapist, Emma has run her consultancy business for many years. Offering paediatric neurorehabilitation, specialist assessment services and professional supervision, Emma’s skills are in demand working in rural Northland with often challenging clinical and social situations. Emma has also worked as a lecturer at AUT educating future occupational therapists, and as a research occupational therapist at UCL in London where she was responsible for writing research grants and running research projects. A member of several charitable organisations over the years (including Rising Starz, a musical theatre charity aimed at children and teens), Emma has utilised her skills in successfully applying for funding for the benefit of the communities she has been part of and supporting creative teams in their creativity.
Emma is excited to be involved with TMTT as it enables her to utilise the skills and knowledge gained working in her profession whilst indulging her passion for music and theatre. Emma is secretary/treasurer of Te Manu Tioriori Trust Inc dedicated to the development of original musical theatre in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
Nick Purdie
Board Member
Nick Purdie
Board Member
Nick Purdie, seen on stages across New Zealand and internationally for over 15
years, made his professional debut in 2003 in the NZ Opera Company’s productions
of Tosca and Carmen. After graduating with a BAppA in Performing Arts (Musical Theatre)
and Diploma in Singing in 2012, he spent 7 months headlining for The Tuxedos at Dubai’s
famous Rock Bottom Club.
Following this, he returned to NZ to continue his career performing in many productions both in New Zealand across the globe. Most recently, Nick performed in the G&T Productions NZ Tour of Jersey Boys as Male Ensemble and understudying the role of Tommy Devito and was the Resident director for GMG Productions national tour of Madagascar The Musical.
Notable Performance Credits include – Bob Crewe in Jersey Boys, Onstage Swing and first cover Franz, Baron Elberfeld and Her Zeller in the West End International Tour of The Sound Of Music, Sammy in Blood Brothers, Bert in Mary Poppins, Elle’s Dad/Dewey in Legally Blonde, Curtis Jackson and Eddie Souther in Sister Act, Corney Collins in the NZ Premiere of Hairspray, William Barfee in 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee, Luke in the NZ Premiere of Altar Boyz, 42nd Street, Godspell, High School Musical, The Breakfast Club, Matt Mulholland: Beyond Emotion and Lonely Heart.
Nick has appeared as a guest vocalist for Beyond The Barricade during their NZ and Australian Tours as well as underscore_ and Monster Songs at Gardens Magic for WITCH Music Theatre. In 2008 he performed as a featured vocalist at Tribute 08’, as part of the NZ Government's tribute to New Zealand’s Vietnam War veterans and their families.
When not onstage, Nick has continued to work in NZ and overseas in production roles as an Associate Producer, Company/Tour Manager and Production Assistant for a number of international touring productions. Highlights include Madagascar The Musical (NZ), Cinderella (NZ), Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre (UK) War Horse (NZ and Hong Kong), The Mousetrap (NZ), Potted Potter (NZ, Hong Kong and Australia), Shaolin Warriors (NZ), Beyond The Barricade (NZ and Australia), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (NZ), 1984 (NZ) and The Play That Goes Wrong (NZ).
Following this, he returned to NZ to continue his career performing in many productions both in New Zealand across the globe. Most recently, Nick performed in the G&T Productions NZ Tour of Jersey Boys as Male Ensemble and understudying the role of Tommy Devito and was the Resident director for GMG Productions national tour of Madagascar The Musical.
Notable Performance Credits include – Bob Crewe in Jersey Boys, Onstage Swing and first cover Franz, Baron Elberfeld and Her Zeller in the West End International Tour of The Sound Of Music, Sammy in Blood Brothers, Bert in Mary Poppins, Elle’s Dad/Dewey in Legally Blonde, Curtis Jackson and Eddie Souther in Sister Act, Corney Collins in the NZ Premiere of Hairspray, William Barfee in 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee, Luke in the NZ Premiere of Altar Boyz, 42nd Street, Godspell, High School Musical, The Breakfast Club, Matt Mulholland: Beyond Emotion and Lonely Heart.
Nick has appeared as a guest vocalist for Beyond The Barricade during their NZ and Australian Tours as well as underscore_ and Monster Songs at Gardens Magic for WITCH Music Theatre. In 2008 he performed as a featured vocalist at Tribute 08’, as part of the NZ Government's tribute to New Zealand’s Vietnam War veterans and their families.
When not onstage, Nick has continued to work in NZ and overseas in production roles as an Associate Producer, Company/Tour Manager and Production Assistant for a number of international touring productions. Highlights include Madagascar The Musical (NZ), Cinderella (NZ), Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre (UK) War Horse (NZ and Hong Kong), The Mousetrap (NZ), Potted Potter (NZ, Hong Kong and Australia), Shaolin Warriors (NZ), Beyond The Barricade (NZ and Australia), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (NZ), 1984 (NZ) and The Play That Goes Wrong (NZ).
Luke Di Somma
Board Member
Luke Di Somma
Board Member
Luke Di Somma is a New Zealand composer, lyricist, conductor and educator based in Melbourne. A Fulbright scholar, Luke studied at New York University and worked in London from 2015 - 2017. He is currently a Sessional Lecturer at Federation University of Australia, and also taught at New York University, Victorian College of the Arts, Patrick Studios, NASDA as well as the Stella Adler MT Intensive in New York.
Luke is the co-writer of hit musical THAT BLOODY WOMAN, which toured New Zealand and is now licensed by MTI. In the UK, his work has been seen at Andrew Lloyd Weber’s The Other Palace theatre. His music has been sung by Broadway’s Andréa Burns, Olivier winners David Bedella and Rebecca Trehearn, and Tony nominees Andy Karl and Eva Noblezada. Luke is also the founder and director of CIMTSS - a MT holiday programme in NZ where he has worked with Sutton Foster, Jonathan Groff and Joshua Henry.
Luke is the co-writer of hit musical THAT BLOODY WOMAN, which toured New Zealand and is now licensed by MTI. In the UK, his work has been seen at Andrew Lloyd Weber’s The Other Palace theatre. His music has been sung by Broadway’s Andréa Burns, Olivier winners David Bedella and Rebecca Trehearn, and Tony nominees Andy Karl and Eva Noblezada. Luke is also the founder and director of CIMTSS - a MT holiday programme in NZ where he has worked with Sutton Foster, Jonathan Groff and Joshua Henry.
Laura Tipoki
Board Member
Laura Tipoki
Board Member
Laura Tipoki was raised a proud Māori in a very musical family and is a highly sought after musician and conductor. Laura is thrilled to be Musical Director of the Australian production of Hamilton the American Musical. Laura was the Australian Music Director and Music Supervisor for Andrew Lloyd Weber’s School Of Rock for the Australian Tour and throughout China. She was Musical Director on Wizard Of Oz, Julie Andrews’ My Fair Lady, the Les Miserables International Tour (Manila and Singapore) and Associate MD for the Dubai season and the Australian tour. Music theatre credits include Wicked, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Love Never Dies, Hello Dolly and Anyone Can Whistle, Dr Zhivago, Mary Poppins and Hairspray and Chicago.
Laura was Musical Director and co-arranger for her sister Patrice Tipoki’s debut album A Musical Heart. Laura was keyboardist on the Love Never Dies DVD recorded and filmed during the Melbourne season in 2012. Laura was pianist and repetiteur for Opera Australia’s Carmen tour in 2007.
Laura was Musical Director and co-arranger for her sister Patrice Tipoki’s debut album A Musical Heart. Laura was keyboardist on the Love Never Dies DVD recorded and filmed during the Melbourne season in 2012. Laura was pianist and repetiteur for Opera Australia’s Carmen tour in 2007.
