Simon Prast

Simon Prast is a director and actor from Auckland, New Zealand. Prast was the founder of the Auckland Theatre Company and director of the first Auckland Festival AK03.

Simon Prast
Born (1962-03-06) 6 March 1962
Otahuhu, Auckland, New Zealand
OccupationActor
Years active1987–present

Early life

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

Career

Theatre

Prast performed at both the Downstage in Wellington 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]

Prast's production of 12 Angry Men was named 'Production of the Decade' by the theatre's subscribers.[4]

Film and television

Prast made his television debut in 1983 in the New Zealand drama series Mortimer's Patch. In 1987 he returned to television, appearing as Alistair Redfern in the New Zealand soap opera Gloss. 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 Neill and Jon Voight. He appeared as Nurse Paul Churchill on several episodes of the soap opera Shortland Street (1995–1996). Prast was a co-star in the 1998 New Zealand movie, When Love Comes Along, with Rena Owen and Dean O'Gorman, directed by Garth Maxwell.[2]

He has appeared in several other series, and is presently (2011–12) guest-starring as Jeffrey Duff in Go Girls.

Auckland Festival

Prast organised the first Auckland Festival, which was marketed as AK03, a biennial arts and cultural festival. The festival is a celebration of the distinct and unique nature of Auckland and in particular the Pacific influence.[5][6]

Other television appearances

In 1988 Prast joined TV star Jay Laga'aia as co-host for the first Coca-Cola 24-hour Music Weekend. In 1988 he also performed on the Telethon, alongside EastEnders star Letitia Dean and Dalvanius Prime with the Pātea Māori 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 politician Craig Little for an increase in regional funding for the arts. Shortly after the debate, $10million was set aside for supporting arts events of regional significance to Auckland.[7]

In 2009 Prast appeared as an arts commentator on TVNZ's Breakfast programme, sharply criticising the Auckland City Council for overspending on International Theatre Productions.[8]

Filmography

Television

Films

Politics

In June 2010 Prast announced his intention to stand as a mayoral candidate in the October Auckland mayoral election.[9] He stated that his experience and leadership would allow him to be an effective mayor, the first as it transitions into "Super City".[10][11] He was not successful in his bid, finishing fifth in the field of five listed candidates.

Recognition

He gained recognition for his work as director of the inaugural Auckland Festival (2003), 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".[12]

References
  1. "* Michele Cox's 2004 book GROWING TALL POPPIES: EXCELLENCE IN TOP NEW ZEALANDERS". Exile Publishing. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  2. "When Loves Come – Movie Information" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 October 2007. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  3. "PEOPLE – DIRECTORS". The Auckland Theatre Company. Archived from the original on 25 May 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  4. "Simon Prast – Biography". NZ On Screen. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  5. "About Us". Auckland Festival 2007. 2007. Archived from the original on 20 July 2007. Retrieved 15 May 2008.
  6. "Auckland's Festival". Listener archive: Arts & Books. 6 September 2003. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
  7. "The real Auckland v Wellington question". Listener Arts. 25 April 2009. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
  8. "Should council be involved in Theatre". TVNZ Breakfast. 24 April 2009. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  9. Orsman, Bernard Orsman (25 June 2010). "Theatre director seeking lead role in Super City". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 25 June 2010.
  10. "Actor to run for super city mayor". TVNZ Breakfast Video. 25 June 2010. Retrieved 10 July 2010.
  11. "Actor runs for mayor". Stuff. 2 July 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
  12. "Going West Books & Writers Festival 2008". Waitakere City Council. Archived from the original on 4 June 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
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