Simon Prast: Difference between revisions

Simon Prast
Simon Prast
	File:SimonPrast.jpg Being interviewed on TVNZ Breakfast Show April 24th 2009.
Occupation	Actor/Director
Years active	1987–present

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Simon Prast is a director and actor from Auckland, New Zealand, the founder of the Auckland Theatre Company and director of the first Auckland Festival AK03. He is also standing as a mayoral candidate in the Auckland mayoral election, 2010.

Early life

Simon Prast grew up in Otara and Waikowhai, Auckland. He was educated at Waikowhai Primary, Kings School and Auckland Grammar. He holds a Law Degree (LLB) from the University of Auckland and is a graduate of Theatre Corporate.^[1]

Professional life

=Theatre

Prast performed at both the Downstage and Mercury theatres in Auckland after graduating from the Theatre Corporate Drama School in 1984. He made his professional debut opposite Michael Hurst in Theatre Corporate’s 1985 production of Torch Song Trilogy.^[2]

After founding the Auckland Theatre Company in 1992 and being its first Director from March 1992 - February 2003 he produced and / or directed over sixty mainbill productions including The Graduate, The Rocky Horror Show, Haruru Mai, The Daylight Atheist, Hair, Death of a Salesman, Wit, Art, Closer, The Judas Kiss, A Streetcar Named Desire and 12 Angry Men.^[3]

One of his productions "12 Angry Men" won ‘Production of the Decade’ by the theatre’s subscribers.^[4]

Film and television

Debuting in 1983 in the New Zealand drama series Mortimer's Patch, returning to TV, after drama school and stage work, in the New Zealand soap opera Gloss as Alistair Redford, the spoilt rich kid. In 1992 he starred in the drama movie about the French terrorist attack on a Greenpeace boat in Auckland harbour in 1985. "The Sinking of the Rainbow Warrior" also starred Sam Neil and Jon Voight.The mid nineties saw a stint on Shortland Street, he has gone on to other roles including his current role as Jeffrey Duff in Go Girls. Co starring with Rena Owen and Dean O'Gorman in When loves comes directed by Garth Maxwell was a highlight for Prast after being very impressed with the script.^[2]

Auckland Festival

Simon Prast was the key organiser for the first Auckland Festival, it was marketed as AK03, this is a biennial arts and cultural festival held in Auckland, New Zealand. The festival is a celebration of the distinct and unique nature of Auckland and in particular the Pacific influence.^[5]

Other Television Appearances

In 1988, Simon joined TV star Jay La’ainga as co-host for the first-ever Coca Cola 24 hour Music Weekend. Later that year, during Telethon, Prast performed alongside Eastenders star Leticia Dean and Dalvanius Prime with the Patea Maori Club. In the same programme, he performed ‘I’m Glad I’m Not A Kennedy’ with Shona Laing. In 1998, on the TV arts programme Backchat hosted by Bill Ralston, Prast debated local body politician Craig Little for an increase in regional funding for the arts. Shortly after the debate, $10million was set aside for the specific purpose of supporting arts events of regional significance to Auckland. In 2009, Prast appeared as an arts commentator on TVNZ's Breakfast programme, sharply criticising Auckland City Council for over spending on International Theatre Productions.^[6]

Auckland Festival

Prast was the key organiser for the first Auckland Festival, it was marketed as AK03, this is a biennial arts and cultural festival held in Auckland, New Zealand. The festival is a celebration of the distinct and unique nature of Auckland and in particular the Pacific influence.^[5]

Politics

In June 2010, Prast announced his intention to stand as a mayoral candidate in the October Auckland mayoral election.^[7]

Recognition

He gained recognition for his work as director of the inaugural Auckland Festival in 2003, marketed as AK03, when it was voted by Metro Readers Poll as the ‘Event of the Year’. The same Metro Readers Poll also voted him ‘Auckland Man of the Year’, which has also been won by another Auckland Mayoralty candidate (and current Auckland City Mayor) John Banks.^[8]

Filmography

The Sinking of the Rainbow Warrior as Louis Deschamps (1992), also starring Sam Neil and Jon Voight.
When Love Comes which premiered at the 1998 Toronto Film Festival
You Move, You Die an Indie Thriller writen and directed by Ketzal Sterling

Television

Mortimer’s Patch (1983) Was also the TV Debut for actor Nathaniel Lees.
Gloss as Alistair Redfern (1987–1990)
Shortland Street as Nurse Paul Churchill (1995–1996)
Erebus: the Aftermath (1988)
Mercy Peak as Tom Strachey (2001–2003)
Hercules as First Soldier (1995–1996)
Serial Killers as Dr. Harrington (2004)
Go Girls as Jeffrey Duff (Current)

References

^ "* Michele Cox's 2004 book GROWING TALL POPPIES: EXCELLENCE IN TOP NEW ZEALANDERS". Exile Publishing. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
^ ^a ^b "When Loves Come - Movie Information" (PDF). Retrieved 3 July 2010.
^ "PEOPLE - DIRECTORS". The Auckland Theatre Company. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
^ "Simon Prast - Biography". NZ On Screen. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
^ ^a ^b "About Us". Auckland Festival 2007. 2007. Retrieved 15 May 2008.
^ "Should council be involved in Theatre". TVNZ Breakfast. 24 April 2009. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
^ "Theatre director seeking lead role in Super City". The New Zealand Herald. 25 June 2010. Retrieved 25 June 2010.
^ "Going West Books & Writers Festival 2008". Waitakere City Council. Retrieved 3 July 2010.

External links

NZ On Screen Biography
Please use a more specific IMDb template. See the documentation for available templates.
Waitakere literary information
Auckland Theatre Company: Directors

[1] "* Michele Cox's 2004 book GROWING TALL POPPIES: EXCELLENCE IN TOP NEW ZEALANDERS". Exile Publishing. Retrieved 3 July 2010.

[mffilms.co.nz-2] "When Loves Come - Movie Information" (PDF). Retrieved 3 July 2010.

[3] "PEOPLE - DIRECTORS". The Auckland Theatre Company. Retrieved 3 July 2010.

[4] "Simon Prast - Biography". NZ On Screen. Retrieved 3 July 2010.

[About_Us?-5] "About Us". Auckland Festival 2007. 2007. Retrieved 15 May 2008.

[6] "Should council be involved in Theatre". TVNZ Breakfast. 24 April 2009. Retrieved 3 July 2010.

[7] "Theatre director seeking lead role in Super City". The New Zealand Herald. 25 June 2010. Retrieved 25 June 2010.

[8] "Going West Books & Writers Festival 2008". Waitakere City Council. Retrieved 3 July 2010.

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[3]

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@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
 | yearsactive = 1987–present
 | occupation = Actor/Director
 | spouse =
 | homepage =
 }}
 '''Simon Prast''' is a director and actor from [[Auckland]], [[New Zealand]], the founder of the [[Auckland Theatre Company]] and director of the first [[Auckland Festival]] AK03.  He is also standing as a mayoral candidate in the [[Auckland mayoral election, 2010]].
-== Early life ==
+==Early life==
 Simon Prast grew up in Otara and Waikowhai, Auckland. He was educated at Waikowhai Primary, [[Kings School]] and [[Auckland Grammar]]. He holds a Law Degree (LLB) from the [[University of Auckland]] and is a graduate of Theatre Corporate.<ref>{{cite web|url=
-http://www.exislepublishing.com/shop/product/item12908/growing-tall-poppies-by-michele-cox.html|title=* Michele Cox’s 2004 book GROWING TALL POPPIES: EXCELLENCE IN TOP NEW ZEALANDERS. |work=Exile Publishing|accessdate= 03 July 2010}}</ref>
+http://www.exislepublishing.com/shop/product/item12908/growing-tall-poppies-by-michele-cox.html|title=* Michele Cox’s 2004 book GROWING TALL POPPIES: EXCELLENCE IN TOP NEW ZEALANDERS. |work=Exile Publishing|accessdate= 3 July 2010}}</ref>
-==Professional Life==
+==Professional life==
+===Theatre==
+Prast performed at both the [[Downstage Theatre|Downstage]] and [[Mercury Theatre (Auckland)|Mercury]] theatres in Auckland after graduating from the Theatre Corporate Drama School in 1984. He made his professional debut opposite [[Michael Hurst]] in Theatre Corporate’s 1985 production of Torch Song Trilogy.<ref name="mffilms.co.nz">{{cite web|url=http://www.mffilms.co.nz/press/when_love_comes.pdf|title=When Loves Come - Movie Information|accessdate=3 July 2010}}</ref>
+After founding the [[Auckland Theatre Company]] in 1992 and being its first Director from March 1992 - February 2003 he produced and / or directed over sixty mainbill productions including ''The Graduate'', ''The Rocky Horror Show'', ''Haruru Mai'', ''The Daylight Atheist'', ''Hair'', ''Death of a Salesman'', ''Wit'', ''Art'', ''Closer'', ''The Judas Kiss'', ''A Streetcar Named Desire'' and ''12 Angry Men''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atc.test.terabyte.co.nz/Plays/People/Default.aspx?Role=Director&id=548|title=PEOPLE - DIRECTORS|work=The Auckland Theatre Company|accessdate=3 July 2010}}</ref>
-===Theatre===
-Prast performed at both the [[Downstage_Theatre|Downstage]] and [[Mercury_Theatre_(Auckland)| Mercury]] theatres in Auckland after graduating from the Theatre Corporate Drama School in 1984. He made his professional debut opposite [[Michael Hurst]] in Theatre Corporate’s 1985 production of Torch Song Trilogy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mffilms.co.nz/press/when_love_comes.pdf|title=When Loves Come - Movie Information|accessdate=03 July 2010}}</ref>
+One of his productions "12 Angry Men" won ‘Production of the Decade’ by the theatre’s subscribers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzonscreen.com/person/simon-prast/biography|title=Simon Prast - Biography|work=NZ On Screen|accessdate=3 July 2010}}</ref>
-After founding the [[Auckland Theatre Company]] in 1992 and being its first Director from March 1992 - February 2003 he produced and / or directed over sixty mainbill productions including ''The Graduate'', ''The Rocky Horror Show'', ''Haruru Mai'', ''The Daylight Atheist'', ''Hair'', ''Death of a Salesman'', ''Wit'', ''Art'', ''Closer'', ''The Judas Kiss'', ''A Streetcar Named Desire'' and ''12 Angry Men''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atc.test.terabyte.co.nz/Plays/People/Default.aspx?Role=Director&id=548|title=PEOPLE - DIRECTORS|work=The Auckland Theatre Company|accessdate=03 July 2010}}</ref>
+===Film and television===
-One of his productions "12 Angry Men" won ‘Production of the Decade’ by the theatre’s subscribers. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzonscreen.com/person/simon-prast/biography|title=Simon Prast - Biography|work=NZ On Screen|accessdate=03 July 2010}}</ref>
+Debuting in 1983 in the New Zealand drama series Mortimer's Patch, returning to TV, after drama school and stage work, in the New Zealand soap opera [[Gloss]] as Alistair Redford, the spoilt rich kid. In 1992 he starred in the drama movie about the [[Sinking of the Rainbow Warrior|French terrorist attack]] on a [[Greenpeace]] boat in Auckland harbour in 1985. "[[The Rainbow Warrior (film)|The Sinking of the Rainbow Warrior]]" also starred [[Sam Neil]] and [[Jon Voight]].The mid nineties saw a stint on Shortland Street, he has gone on to other roles including his current role as Jeffrey Duff in [[Go Girls]]. Co starring with [[Rena Owen]] and [[Dean O'Gorman]] in ''When loves comes'' directed by Garth Maxwell was a highlight for Prast after being very impressed with the script.<ref name="mffilms.co.nz"/>
-===Film and Television===
-Debuting in 1983 in the New Zealand drama series Mortimer's Patch, returning to TV, after drama school and stage work, in the New Zealand soap opera [[Gloss]] as Alistair Redford, the spoilt rich kid. In 1992 he starred in the drama movie about the [[Sinking_of_the_Rainbow_Warrior | French terrorist attack]] on a [[Greenpeace]] boat in Auckland harbour in 1985. "[[The_Rainbow_Warrior_(film) | The Sinking of the Rainbow Warrior]]" also starred [[Sam Neil]] and [[Jon Voight]].The mid nineties saw a stint on Shortland Street, he has gone on to other roles including his current role as Jeffrey Duff in [[Go Girls]]. Co starring with [[Rena Owen]] and [[Dean O'Gorman]] in ''When loves comes'' directed by Garth Maxwell was a highlight for Prast after being very impressed with the script. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mffilms.co.nz/press/when_love_comes.pdf|title=When Loves Come - Movie Information|accessdate=03 July 2010}}</ref>
 ===Auckland Festival===
-Simon Prast was the key organiser for the first [[Auckland Festival]], it was marketed as AK03, this is a biennial arts and cultural festival held in [[Auckland]], [[New Zealand]]. The festival is a celebration of the distinct and unique nature of Auckland and in particular the Pacific influence.  <ref name="About Us?">
+Simon Prast was the key organiser for the first [[Auckland Festival]], it was marketed as AK03, this is a biennial arts and cultural festival held in [[Auckland]], [[New Zealand]]. The festival is a celebration of the distinct and unique nature of Auckland and in particular the Pacific influence.<ref name="About Us?">
 {{cite web
   | title = About Us
@@ Line 42: / Line 41: @@
 In 1988, Simon joined TV star Jay La’ainga as co-host for the first-ever Coca Cola 24 hour Music Weekend. Later that year,  during [[Telethon#New_Zealand|Telethon]], Prast performed alongside [[Eastenders]] star [[Leticia Dean]] and [[Dalvanius Prime]] with the [[Patea Maori Club]]. In the same programme, he performed ‘I’m Glad I’m Not A Kennedy’ with [[Shona Laing]].
 In 1998, on the TV arts programme Backchat hosted by [[Bill Ralston]], Prast debated local body politician Craig Little for an increase in regional funding for the arts.  Shortly after the debate, $10million was set aside for the specific purpose of supporting arts events of regional significance to [[Auckland]].
-In 2009, Prast appeared as an arts commentator on [[Breakfast_(TVNZ_programme) | TVNZ's Breakfast programme]], sharply criticising Auckland City Council for over spending on International Theatre Productions.<ref>{{cite web|url=
+In 2009, Prast appeared as an arts commentator on [[Breakfast (TVNZ programme)|TVNZ's Breakfast programme]], sharply criticising Auckland City Council for over spending on International Theatre Productions.<ref>{{cite web|url=
-http://tvnz.co.nz/breakfast-news/breakfast-friday-april-24-2672095/video?vid=2672341|title=Should council be involved in Theatre |date= 24 April 2009|work=TVNZ Breakfast|accessdate= 03 July 2010}}</ref>
+http://tvnz.co.nz/breakfast-news/breakfast-friday-april-24-2672095/video?vid=2672341|title=Should council be involved in Theatre |date= 24 April 2009|work=TVNZ Breakfast|accessdate= 3 July 2010}}</ref>
 ==Auckland Festival==
-Prast was the key organiser for the first [[Auckland Festival]], it was marketed as AK03, this is a biennial arts and cultural festival held in [[Auckland]], [[New Zealand]]. The festival is a celebration of the distinct and unique nature of Auckland and in particular the Pacific influence.  <ref name="About Us?">
+Prast was the key organiser for the first [[Auckland Festival]], it was marketed as AK03, this is a biennial arts and cultural festival held in [[Auckland]], [[New Zealand]]. The festival is a celebration of the distinct and unique nature of Auckland and in particular the Pacific influence.<ref name="About Us?"/>
-{{cite web
-  | title = About Us
-  | publisher = Auckland Festival 2007
-  | year = 2007
-  | url = http://www.aucklandfestival.co.nz/AboutUs/TheFestival/
-  | accessdate = 2008-05-15}}</ref>
 ==Politics==
@@ Line 58: / Line 51: @@
 ==Recognition==
-He gained recognition for his work as director of the inaugural Auckland Festival in 2003, marketed as AK03, when it was voted by [[Metro_(magazine)|Metro]] Readers Poll as the ‘Event of the Year’. The same Metro Readers Poll also voted him ‘Auckland Man of the Year’, which has also been won by another Auckland Mayoralty candidate (and current Auckland City Mayor) [[John Banks]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.waitakere.govt.nz/artcul/ae/goingwest/literarywknd-biographies.asp|title=Going West Books & Writers Festival 2008|work=Waitakere City Council|accessdate=03 July 2010}}</ref>
+He gained recognition for his work as director of the inaugural Auckland Festival in 2003, marketed as AK03, when it was voted by [[Metro (magazine)|Metro]] Readers Poll as the ‘Event of the Year’. The same Metro Readers Poll also voted him ‘Auckland Man of the Year’, which has also been won by another Auckland Mayoralty candidate (and current Auckland City Mayor) [[John Banks]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.waitakere.govt.nz/artcul/ae/goingwest/literarywknd-biographies.asp|title=Going West Books & Writers Festival 2008|work=Waitakere City Council|accessdate=3 July 2010}}</ref>
 ==Filmography==
-* ''[[The_Rainbow_Warrior_(film) | The Sinking of the Rainbow Warrior ]]'' as Louis Deschamps (1992), also starring [[Sam Neil]] and [[Jon Voight]].
+* ''[[The Rainbow Warrior (film)|The Sinking of the Rainbow Warrior]]'' as Louis Deschamps (1992), also starring [[Sam Neil]] and [[Jon Voight]].
 * ''[[When Love Comes]]'' which premiered at the 1998 [[Toronto Film Festival]]
 * ''[[You Move, You Die]]'' an Indie Thriller writen and directed by [[Ketzal Sterling]]
 ==Television==
-* ''[[Mortimer's_Patch | Mortimer’s Patch]] ''(1983) Was also the TV Debut for actor [[Nathaniel Lees]].
+* ''[[Mortimer's Patch|Mortimer’s Patch]] ''(1983) Was also the TV Debut for actor [[Nathaniel Lees]].
-* ''[[Gloss]]'' as Alistair Redfern (1987 - 1990)
+* ''[[Gloss]]'' as Alistair Redfern (1987–1990)
-* ''[[Shortland Street]] ''as Nurse Paul Churchill (1995 - 1996)
+* ''[[Shortland Street]] ''as Nurse Paul Churchill (1995–1996)
-* ''[[Erebus:_The_Aftermath | Erebus: the Aftermath]]'' (1988)
+* ''[[Erebus: The Aftermath|Erebus: the Aftermath]]'' (1988)
-* ''[[Mercy Peak]]'' as Tom Strachey  (2001-2003)
+* ''[[Mercy Peak]]'' as Tom Strachey  (2001–2003)
-* ''[[Hercules:_The_Legendary_Journeys | Hercules]]'' as First Soldier (1995-1996)
+* ''[[Hercules: The Legendary Journeys|Hercules]]'' as First Soldier (1995–1996)
 * ''Serial Killers'' as Dr. Harrington (2004)
 * ''[[Go Girls]]'' as  Jeffrey Duff (Current)
@@ Line 79: / Line 72: @@
 {{Reflist}}
+==External links==
-==External Links==
 * [http://www.nzonscreen.com/person/simon-prast NZ On Screen Biography]
 * {{imdb|0695306}}
@@ Line 88: / Line 79: @@
 {{DEFAULTSORT:Prast, Simon}}
 [[Category:New Zealand theatre directors]]
 [[Category:New Zealand actors]]