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207days until
NZIF 2010
Programme 7-10 Oct‎ > ‎Thurs 8th‎ > ‎

ConArtists

Established in 1987, ConArtists is one of the most successful conference service and corporate training and entertainment companies in New Zealand. Comprising of professional actors, who are acknowledged as being some of the best comedy improvisers in the country. We are specialists in unique & creative comedy that offers a wide range of corporate and public entertainment.

Read on for info about the NZIF cast from ConArtists...
Penny Ashton
is a comedienne and actor and has performed both Improv and her solo comedy shows from Adelaide to Edinburgh to Gore.  She represented NZ at the Theatresports World Cup in Germany in 2006, was victorious at the Edmonton Improvaganza in 2003 and enjoyed her 2000 stint on Shortland St as a gynaecologist. She is also a recurring cast member of the TV3 Comedy Series 7 Days and is a Radio NZ National social commentator. 
 
 
 
 
Stayci Taylor
is a graduate of the John Bolton Theatre School in Melbourne and has trained with Phillipe Gaulier in London and Paris.  She has travelled extensively throughout NZ and the world with improv and is a senior writer for Maori Programming in NZ, recently receiving a complaint that her writing is too saucy, of which she is proud.  She is one of the originators of the TV comedy series 'Brown Brothers' and recently co-wrote and directed the hit stage show 'Hits of 74'.
 
 
 
Nigel Burrows has performed both improv nationally and internationally for over 20 years.  As a core cast member of Auckland Theatresports from 1988, Nigel also represented Auckland on two occasions for the televised Auckland and Wellington National Champs and Performed at The Edmonton Fringe- International Theatresports Champs 1991. In addition to this Nigel has Written, Directed and Produced  his own brand of Corporate Productions for clients through his Company Projected Images.  Nigel brings a depth of experience to his Improv as well as in Producing, Writing, Managing, Video Production, Production, Juggling, Hypnotism and latterly adding the ukulele to his repertoire of inadequately played musical instruments.


Clare Kelso has been a Producer, Creative Director, Actor and Mentor at ConArtists, the Home of Theatresports, for 22 years this September. An achievement she’s understandably proud of. She’s been tickling New Zealand’s funny bone all that time on stage, television and, mostly, as a Corporate Actor and Entertainer. Literally over 100,000 people have seen her on TV shows, Emceeing conferences, meetings, weddings, appearing on stage next to Colin Mochrie from “Who’s Line Is It Anyway?” and using her quick wit and naughty innuendo to slightly shock and amuse at parties, product launches, conferences and staff parties. She is a communication and team building facilitator. And a good few years ago she won New Zealand Playwright of the Year for one of her many successful plays which have been produced in New Zealand, Australia and England. She has three cats and two horses and lives a full bloodied life.



Chris Neels is a second year student at Unitec's School of Performance and Screen Arts. After hanging up his dreams (and gloves) of being an ultimate fighting champion, he decided that improv may be the way to go! He came up through the strong Auckland schools system and was part of a team that won the competition two years in a row (2004 - 2005). Although he is not actually a vampire, Chris did double for Robert Patinson as Edward Cullen's stunt double.