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John A. Givins - OSA Drama Supervising Tutor and FTV Directing Tutor
 John is one of the industry's most colourful and energetic stage and screen directors.
After initially training as a stage actor and director, he joined the TVNZ Avalon Production department in 1982 and worked on a wide variety of studio productions.
In 1985 he directed a number of Country GP and Seeker drama series episodes, and gained a Best Drama Director nomination in that year’s GOFTA awards. In subsequent years, he directed many episodes of the pioneering Open Home drama series and became producer of the successful Kaleidoscope arts documentary series.
He also produced and/or directed numerous productions such as the 1989 Benson & Hedges Fashion Design Awards, RTR Countdown, Laughinz and 3.45 Live children’s show.
Since leaving TVNZ in 1989, John has worked on contract for various production companies and broadcasters including Communicado, Kids TV, VIDCOM, TV3 and South Pacific Television. He has built up formidable experience in all aspects of television production including directing the successful Shortland Street television soap series.
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Maya Dalziel - OSA ActingTutor
 Maya Dalziel has a background in teaching and performing arts. She has had a 30-year career in professional theatre, film and television as an actor, theatre director, casting director and child actor coach on location in New Zealand and overseas.
Her recent credits include casting director and acting coach on the acclaimed short films Ra and Lily and Swansong. She has also worked on the feature films The Strength of Water and Sunshine Cleaning.
In addition to her performances on stage and screen, Maya also uses her skills as an actor within the medical profession, as a role-player for the teaching and examining of communication skills.
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Jonathan Hunter - OSA Singing Coach
Jonathan Hunter brings over 15 years of performance and teaching experience to South Seas and is New Zealand's only Certified Master Teacher of Estill Voice Training™. He is a Registered Teacher of the Speech Communication Association and holds a Diploma of Performing Arts (Selwyn Performing Arts), a Postgraduate Diploma in Drama (University of Auckland), and trained as an actor at Unitec School of Performing and Screen Arts, where he was mentored by NZ's premier vocal coach Linda Cartwright. Jon teaches singing to actors at Unitec School of Performing and Screen Arts, voice classes at the Performing Arts School of New Zealand, and coaches singers at the Auckland School of Rock. Armed with an in-depth knowledge of vocal function, anatomy, physiology and acoustics, Jon is uniquely capable of working across the spectrum with all types of professional voice use. He strives to give actors the skills to sing across genres and styles with authenticity and confidence. By demystifying the singing voice and empowering actors through practical knowledge and healthy vocal habits, Jon brings to the forefront an appreciation for the bare-all truth of the voice as our most immediate and important means of communication.[Back to Top]
Ben Crowder - OSA Theatre Skills Tutor
Ben Crowder is the director of Auckland’s independent company Theatre Stampede.
He studied drama and playwriting at The University of Otago, went on to complete a post-graduate diploma in drama at the University of Auckland, and continued his professional training at The John Bolton Theatre School in Melbourne.
His theatrical work is hallmarked by a lightness and joy in performance; coupled with dramatic integrity and a demand for innovation.
Currently Ben works predominantly as a professional director with a bit of acting and teaching thrown in.
As a teacher he is much sought after – recent teaching engagements include Auckland Theatre Company, AYA, The University of Auckland and the acting programme at Unitec.
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Linda Cartwright - OSA Voice Teacher
Linda Cartwright acted at Theatre Corporate and the Mercury Theatre during their respective heydays. She was then Head of Voice at Unitec's School of Performing & Screen Arts for fifteen years.
During her career Linda has been given Creative New Zealand grants on two occasions to study Voice with well-known teachers both in England and the United States. She has worked as dialogue/dialect coach on films such as The Lord of the Rings, No. 2 and The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe and on television shows including Shortland St and Terry and the Gunrunners.
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Student Profile
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ZANE HOLMES | 1997
Since graduating from South Seas Zane has been at the forefront of television and film drama production in New Zealand and now works as a SPFX Producer. He says “I give credit to South Seas for much of my success. I keep in contact still and try to employ as many students as I can. If someone has come out of South Seas I can rely on a high level of work quality and professionalism from that person.” |
