27 March 2024
Carrie Green is an award-winning actor, writer and director who has worked with likes of Auckland Theatre Company, Taki Rua, Tawata Productions and World of Wearable Arts. Carrie’s acting credits include Silo Theatre’s Mr Burns and Cellfish, Bless the Child, Public Service Announcements and TV's Under the Vines. She was awarded Actor of the Year in 2019 and Outstanding New Playwright in 2016 at the Wellington Theatre Awards.
Carrie is the director of Two Guitars which is at Circa Theatre 23 March - 13 April. Two Guitars is a musical journey that follows the winners of a kaupapa Māori music competition who are about to play their showcase gig. But an hour before the show, tension and cultural aspirations come to a head, forcing them to decide whether they should go through with the show or not.
Carrie took time out from her busy schedule to answer some questions about her theatrical life.
The first live performance I ever saw was…
My high school bused all us drama nerds from Palmerston North to Wellington to see The Vagina Monologues at Downstage Theatre (RIP). It was the first time I’d heard the C-word onstage and I thought that was so grown up. Not the first performance I’d seen but definitely the most memorable. I still haven’t used the C-word on stage…
The first time I appeared on stage was…
I was a Pūkeko in my primary school production. I thought I did a really good job but my brother got bigger laughs as a tree being cut down. I’m still a bit gutted about that.
My favourite show of 2023 was…
There was so much good stuff last year but I loved The Picture of Dorian Gray at the Auckland Arts Festival and O le Pepelo, le Gaoi, ma le Pala’ai | The Liar, the Thief, and the Coward by I Ken So Productions for the Kia Mau Festival.
The part I’d love to play is…
Look, if anyone is staging Les Misérables with a female cast I’d love an audition for Javert please.
The person I’d most like to perform with is…
Rachel House. She’d wipe the floor with me but it’d be a fun wiping. I’d also love it if Jamie wrote another character into Two Guitars so I could sing with him and Cam. They’re phenomenal.
My worst on-stage hiccup was...
I’ve fallen over too many times to count.
My go-to quote for all situations is…
Oh well…
The piece of theatre I’m nerdiest about is...
My secret shame is that I love the musicals of Andrew Lloyd Webber. I could probably give you an entire performance of Cats or Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Deeply uncool, I know.
My favourite type of costume to wear is...
I prefer being in the rehearsal room to being onstage, so anything comfortable is fine by me. I haaaate costume changes!
The show I most wish I’d seen is...
The Haka Party Incident. Heard nothing but rave reviews.
The last show I attended was…
The Supper Club at Circa Theatre. It was so lush. Ian Harman (who happens to be our designer!) is a genius and Ali Harper is just sexy sunshine with the most amazing voice. Loved it!
Writing or performing?
Can I say directing?
Collaborate or go solo?
Collaborate! I need people around to bounce ideas off and work stuff out with. It’s way more fun too. If I’m alone I get nothing done. I’m an excellent procrastinator.
My process for getting into character is...
Unfortunately, it’s not that deep for me. A lot of the characters I’ve played have been based on people I know and love. I’ll read something in a script and go, “omg, so-and-so does that…” or “that’s something what’s-her-face would say…” and it builds from there.
A performance I wish everyone could see is…
Claire Waldron’s Stupid Bitch wants a Puppy. She’s the best, man. So wild and unpredictable. I wish I could be like that.
