Gradfest: An insight into the Projects of Unitec Students
This November, Unitec unfolds the next wave of graduate talent. You're invited to come and get a new perspective as we
celebrate the creative minds of the future. Gradfest 2012 brings together the very best work by our Creative Industries
and Business graduates. Be inspired by fresh talent, see new ideas in action and watch where the industry is heading.
With Gradfest 2012 just around the corner, a number of graduate students were delighted to share their stories on
current projects and work in action. The following graduate story introduces a student with the will to make people
laugh on stage and on screen.
New Zealand's Up-and-Coming Comedian!
Unitec's third year student in the Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts in Acting, Eli Matthewson looks toward a
promising career in comedy.
Eli was recently announced nominee for Best Newcomer at this year's NZ Comedy Festival for his show Minority Report which he collaborated on with James Rogue, another year-three acting student at Unitec, and Edith Poor.
This talented young student also had the opportunity to travel to the Edinburgh Fringe this year to perform Square Eye Pair with Hamish Parkinson. The show won them Best Comedy at the Auckland Fringe in 2011.
Eli has recently been announced one of five finalists for next year's Billy T Awards, which will be awarded to New
Zealand's top overall comedian. Eli was picked out of fifteen of New Zealand's emerging comedians who showed up to
perform at "The Classic" for a spot in the finals.
Soon to graduate, Eli is ready to take the world by storm with his outstanding comedy performances. His dream is to show
people his skills and creativity in action, whilst giving the audience something to cheer about.
Eli will be performing in Unitec's graduation musical, Jacques Brel during Gradfest, in an effort to celebrate and bring
together the works of Performing and Screen Arts students to inspire new ideas and fresh talent for the future.
Meet Eli at this year's Gradfest in November, and gain an insight into what it is like to study a degree in Performing
and Screen Arts in Acting at Unitec, and learn about future opportunities for the industry.
The Department of Performing and Screen Arts gradfest Kicks off on November 9 with the year 3 acting musical: Jaques
Brel is alive and well and living in Paris. For more information and the full programme of events for Gradfest 2012 go
to http://www.unitec.ac.nz/gradfest.
To take a look at what Eli has been up to during the past year, go to
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