Sarah Burton - The Wellingtonian

 Toi Whakaari student Alex Tarrant is feeling as light as a feather after winning the 2011 Museum Hotel Scholarship.

Tarrant, 20, said studying acting was an emotional rollercoaster.

"You have your ups and your downs, but I feel like I'm going up now.

"This award only makes me more determined to reach my potential. It's like a push on my back," he said.

The scholarship, which has been funded by Museum Hotel owner Chris Parkin for 11 years, covers the recipient's tuition costs for a year, worth nearly $6000, and 10 months' living expenses at $500 a month.

It is awarded to a Toi Whakaari student who excels within the school, and has participated in the Sheila Winn Shakespeare festival.

Parkin has long been a supporter of the arts.

"It's not easy for students to balance study and work, so this scholarship aims to ease the financial strain of meeting course costs and enables them to focus their time and energy on perfecting their craft," Parkin said.

"I look forward to seeing their name in lights, knowing I have helped them on their way."

Tarrant said he was overwhelmed by the generosity.

"He's given something huge to a complete stranger and that's what I've always wanted to do. He's basically setting me up in a way that I want to help other people as well."

Tarrant has come a long way from someone who used to tease people who enjoyed acting.

"You know how you have those kids at college who think that acting is for floozies and pansies? I was one of those kids.

"I think the reason why I used to tease people is because I was scared of showing emotion in that way."

Getting into trouble at school caused him to move from Morrins- ville to Hamilton in year 12.

He saw an audition notice for High School Musical and on a whim decided to audition.

"I was new to the school and I just thought that nobody knew me so they couldn't judge me. So I just went for it."

He was successful in his audition and his acting path has continued to rise since.

This summer Tarrant will be interning with The Conch Theatre Company in Auckland. The company is staging the play Masi.

The play, by Nina Nawalowalo, is based on how her parents met. Tarrant will play her father.

Masi will be showcased in the 2012 New Zealand International Arts Festival.

"For the festival there will be people from all over the world coming to New Zealand to hopefully buy this show and take it overseas," Tarrant said.
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Tarrant said that when he was finished studying, his dream was to be a creator of stories.

He counts fellow New Zealand film-maker Taika Waititi as an inspiration.

"Taika's awesome because he writes, he directs and he acts in most of his movies. And that's definitely something that I want to explore."

But for now he is enjoying this time of learning. "There's so much more to Toi Whakari than just becoming a good actor. It teaches you how to be a better human."