Hillary Scholar: Philip Garrity to pursue a career in acting overseas.
From Greek tragedy to comedy, this Waikato University student has pretty much done it all.
In his first year of studying towards a Bachelor of Arts, Philip Garrity started acting at a young age and it's his talent in the arts that's landed him a Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship - one of the most prestigious scholarships on offer at the University of Waikato.
“Applause is nice but what I really love is getting a spontaneous response from an audience, whether it's a round of laughter or gasps of shock and disgust.
“The thrill of doing something different with each production, not only in performance but also in terms of preparation, is what keeps me interested in the discipline. From one play to another I might need to train for a fight scene and meanwhile begin reading up on the multiverse theory.”
Jack of all trades
Philip has been involved in various productions, from street theatre and musicals to realist productions and Elizabethan theatre.
He says his proudest achievement was being selected for the Shakespeare Globe Centre of New Zealand National Schools Shakespeare Production which led to him being selected for the Young Shakespeare Company.
“I travelled to London as part of the Young Shakespeare Company and was lucky enough to perform and train at the Globe Theatre which is an opportunity I'm extremely grateful for.”
A future in acting
As for his future in acting, Philip can't imagine his life without performing. “My aim is to make my passion my job. I want to explore every form of acting I can in both theatre and film. I'd love to work overseas at some stage and I'd eventually love to do a season at the Globe Theatre.”
Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarships are the University of Waikato's most prestigious scholarships and are awarded to students who are high academic achievers who are also achieving in the arts or sport.
Scholars have their course fees covered, receive specialist coaching and mentoring and take part in personal development and leadership programmes.