Collette Lochore has been teaching drama and self-confidence, both in full-time and casual positions, for coming on 7 years. She taught drama to the children at The Ronald McDonald House and worked with the teens from Variety The Children's Charity, putting on a theatre show at The PumpHouse Theatre to raise money for the charity. Collette has also transitioned her love for theatre to camera, working on various TVC's and movies. Her latest achievement is being cast by British director Baillie Walsh as a feature, working alongside Scarlett Johansson herself for her new commercial. Collette (AKA as Collie-flower by her students) is passionate about instilling self-confidence in our youth. She believes in encouraging and motivating students to challenge themselves both on stage and in their everyday lives. Collette is currently studying for a conjoint degree in Law and doubling majoring in International Relations and Political Science.
Our Otago Representative, Garrett, is a bundle of positive energy! Students naturally "catch" his rich enthusiasm for life and through it, their self-confidence grows. Garrett's aspiration is to help young New Zealanders achieve their dreams in whatever field they pursue; whether it is in sports, arts or academics. He desires to see his students excel and have the freedom to reach their own goals. Garrett has buckets of experience in public speaking and working with youth, and is currently in his final year of his Masters at the University of Otago. He is also an expert at dressing up in crazy costumes for themed parties! Garrett creates an environment in his classes that encourages self-belief in his students. He is privileged to be a part of the amazing Marrzipan team and frequently praises how Marrzipan is making a huge difference in his own life.
Born and bred in Christchurch, Jack is a natural comedian with a love of working with children. For Jack, Marrzipan is therefore the perfect career! After being heavily involved in drama throughout his school years, and always helping younger students to develop their confidence, Jack is ecstatic to now be one of the first people to bring Marrzipan to his hometown. He is also 170% thrilled to be a part of such an awesome team, and cannot wait to watch his students grow and become the wonderfully weird, yet confident humans that they can be. Jack believes strongly that in order to reach your goals and achieve your dreams in life, you've got to grasp opportunities and actively pursue your ambitions, a message he looks forward to integrating into his lessons.
Our Office Manager and Marrzipan Teacher for Waikato, Jex, was described as "loud and bossy" as a child and was encouraged to pursue Performing Arts as a way of expressing herself in a creative environment. Drama became an instant passion for her and she has been involved with it ever since. Jex believes there is nothing more important than a child having the confidence to express themselves and shine in everything they do. She uses her Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts and a fun, enthusiastic teaching style to encourage and support students to learn new skills and embrace the uniqueness that is them! Her favourite quote is: "You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think" - Winnie the Pooh
Our Marrzipan Teacher for Wellington, Kayla, is an energetic, fun addition to the Marrzipan team. She is one of the first teachers to begin spreading the Marrzipan magic to the South Island, before handing over to Sophie and taking over Wellington. Kayla has recently completed a BA in Communications and Theatre at University of Otago. She is extremely passionate about the Marrzipan philosophy and has experienced first-hand the life skills that drama can gift you. Kayla has had a lot of experience working with children and is inspired by the cheekiness and awesome sense of humour that her students have! She likes to make every student feel a part of the Marrzipan family, pushing them gently as they grow as confident individuals.
Representing Marrzipan in the Bay of Plenty, Sarieta grew up on the other side of the world in South Africa! Sarieta was labelled as the "drama queen" in her family and loved performing for anyone willing to watch! After completing her Degree in Drama, she moved to Canada where she received a teaching internship with a film school - this was when the teaching bug bit and she knew she had found her life's vocation. Once back in South Africa she taught drama, choreography and life-skills, in collaboration with different schools and arts-organisations. Finding and joining the Marrzipan team after moving to New Zealand was a dream come true. Sarieta is so excited to be working with likeminded (and slightly crazy!) Marrzipan teachers, who share the common goal of helping each individual be the best that they can be, and have a passion for life. She is also humbled to work with and learn from young Kiwis and looks forward to every single day!
From Island-boy to Marrzi-man - Zac spent his preschool years on Great Barrier Island before beginning his school years as a "Mainlander" on the North Shore of Auckland. Creative by nature, Zac earned himself a Scholarship in Drama at Northcote College and has since then added a Bachelor of Communication Studies at AUT University. With a strong desire to have a positive impact on the development of Kiwi-kids into well-rounded, self-assured young adults, Zac has channelled his own passions and skills by taking on numerous voluntary roles over recent years. Zac sees himself as a mentor to his Marrzipan students and finds it fulfilling to act as an influential role model to young Kiwis. He feels as though teaching builds as much his own character, as it does theirs.
Director Davina completed a BTEC National Diploma of Performing Arts majoring in Performance in the UK, as well as training with the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. She also appeared in several adverts in the UK, and tried her hand at stage and television acting. She began teaching extra-curricular Drama to Primary children at her old school and knew she had found her vocation in life. She then moved to Brisbane, Australia where she continued to teach Drama, as well as study a dual degree in Drama and Marketing at QUT. She subsequently set up Marrzipan Drama in Brisbane towards the end of 2010. After moving to New Zealand, Davina decided to pursue Marrzipan Drama full time and has not looked back! The company continues to grow from strength to strength and Davina loves every part of her day. She is delighted to be sharing her passion of Drama with young Kiwis. Davina has chosen her wonderful team of Teachers, not for having a load of letters after their name (after years of sitting in a lecture theatre), but for their past experience, natural talent with children, and passion for the cause! Marrzipan Teachers are role-models, this is why they are called Representatives. They Represent all that we are about, creating the perfect balance of professionalism and "sillyness." Marrzipan Representatives receive continuous training and career advancement opportunities. All Marrzipan Representatives are also First Aid trained, Police checked and Reference checked to ensure your child's safety.
General Manager - Hailing from rural Wales in the UK, Jen has been a passionate and enthusiastic member of Marrzipan Drama since 2012! Jen has a well-developed background in teaching the Performing Arts, and enjoys providing a high level of teaching and enthusiasm to students, parents and professionals alike. She attends educational conferences with Davina and is committed to communicating the Marrzipan Philosophy. Jen enjoys the continuous progression of Marrzipan students and inspires children daily with her eccentric character and approach to pedagogy. She is commonly known in her classes as 'Jam', and likes making children, parents and principals laugh. She also enjoys writing crazy scripts, to engage Marrzipan students for those all important performances.