What Max did in the shadows: A surreal internship with Second Unit
“The internship has been a great experience for me to see the fundamentals that go into a group-devised project,” says Max, who is preparing to put on his own devised show for his Trimester 3 MFA(CP) creative project.
Supervisor James Wenley contacted some people at Second Unit on Max’s behalf and it all took off from there. Max has taken on a variety of tasks for the project including sharing ideas, standing in as an audience member for practices, passing out pamphlets, and creating his own character, the Zombie Candyman.
“I’ve gained a lot of confidence in myself,” Max says. “The cast and crew are made up of talented actors and directors from the Wellington theatre scene and they’ve all taught me so much that has made me a better performer.”
Within Second Unit’s production are a number of Victoria University of Wellington Theatre alumni. “They have a warm, welcoming energy. There’s definitely some Victoria University of Wellington pride to be had for them,” says Max.
One of the alumna working on the show is Stella Reid, a ‘dream-come-true’ director for Max: “She is always organised and open to people’s ideas, and has taught me plenty as I step into directing my own show”.
The ‘surreal’ experience has left Max excited to work within the Wellington theatre scene and to put his learning into practice.