Robert Pollock
Robert trained as a Theatresports improviser with Lyn Pierse in 1987 and has been a member of the company since it began. He trained initially at the New Zealand Drama School in 1985/6.
His film and television credits include: Shortland Street, City Life, Once Were Warriors and most recently the Lord of the Rings II and III.
Robert has performed in theatres around the country, from the Fortune Theatre in Dunedin to Forum North in Whangarei. His credits include playing Barry in the original N.Z. tour of Ladies Night . In 1993 Robert toured men’s and women’s prisons in the North Island performing Miranda Harcourt’s provocative two-hander “Touch and Go” –a play dealing with the issues surrounding a rape trial. He has been a member of two National Theatresports winning teams and in 1999 he represented NZ along with Mark Wright and Oliver Driver at the Amsterdam International Improv’ Festival with the sell-out hit “Dead Men Don’t Get Laid”.
Robert began teaching drama and improvisation at the Auckland Performing Arts School in 1991. From 1991 to 2001 he was a senior tutor on the Smokefree Theatresports-in-Schools Programme, teaching in schools throughout Auckland, the Bay of Plenty, Waikato and the Hawkes Bay. He led workshops teaching senior students to become mentors to younger students. Although currently teaching drama at Whangarei Boys’ High School Robert still enjoys working as a professional improvisor for Conartists.
Robert’s passion is theatre, in particular improvised theatre and especially theatre for young people. His philosophy on learning is simply this “Entertain, engage, educate.” Theatre-in-education allows him to live this philosophy.