JACQUE DREW
AYA Director and Teacher
Jacque is an award-winning actor, recognised in the U.S. and New Zealand for her work.
She was a founding member of the Tygres Heart Shakespeare Company (Portland OR) and served as an actor, artistic director, and educational coordinator for the company, garnering accolades (Oregon Education Association’s Outstanding Educator Award) for her lectures and touring show based on Shakespeare’s greatest works.
JEFF SZUSTERMAN
AYA Director and Teacher
Jeff is a professional actor, director, and teacher both in New Zealand and the United States.
Originally a Wellingtonian, after graduating Toi Whakaari o Aotearoa he acted to critical and popular acclaim on the professional stages there. Credits include: Tzigane, The Visit, Duck Variations, Taking Sides, Pains of Youth, An Unseasonable Fall of Snow.
BEN CROWDER
AYA Teacher
Ben is a co-founder and director of Auckland’s Theatre Stampede.
He trained in drama and playwriting at The University of Otago, did a post-graduate diploma in drama at The University of Auckland, and continued his professional training at The John Bolton Theatre School in Melbourne. Currently Ben works in Auckland as a director, teacher and actor.
JULIA CROFT
AYA Teacher
Julia Croft graduated from Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School in 2008.
As part of her third year, Julia undertook an apprenticeship with Shakespeare and Company in Massachusetts in the states. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in English and Theatre) from Canterbury University.
CHRIS NEELS
AYA Teacher
Chris Neels recently graduated from Unitec with a Bachelor of Performance and Screen Arts, majoring in acting.
He has a passion for classical texts, and before training at Unitec he was part of the National Youth Shakespeare Company and performed as Enobarbus in Antony and Cleopatra at the Globe theatre in London. He has since appeared in Auckland Theatre Company’s Shrew'd.
