Actor, singer and stuntwoman Sarah Bryant grew up in Ashburton before going on to have a successful career. The 36-year-old returned to where it all began this month – the Mid Canterbury Summer Singing School. Dellwyn Moylan reports.
As an 11-year-old, Sarah Bryant (nee Hart), attended the very first Mid Canterbury Summer Singing School in 2000.
She loved it so much, she attended for the next several years, through to the age of 17. This year, she returned to teach at the school, as its choreographer
‘‘It blows my mind to think back to that little girl, and now be standing on that same stage 25 years later,’’ Bryant said.
The singing school, held earlier this month, topped off a week of lessons with a performance, Musical Maestros, at the Ashburton Event Centre.
Bryant said it had been exciting to participate, particularly to be able to work with her former mentor, singing school founder and musical director Jo Castelow.
‘‘It was a really nice change from my usual work, and I enjoyed the opportunity to revisit it for such a special occasion,’’ she said.
Bryant clearly remembers her first ever performance with the singing school.
‘‘I was in the junior school and we performed The Elephant’s Child. We had white T-shirts, jeans and stripes painted on our faces. I can still remember some of the songs. My sister and I learned the music while camping on holiday, and by the end of the trip, the entire campsite was singing along with us,’’ she said.
She also had wonderful memories of further singing schools.
‘‘One highlight was I got to perform the 21st Century Celebration summer school twice once in Ashburton and then we took the show to Timaru. The music from that performance is so ingrained in my brain that I often still sing it to myself when doing chores around the house! It holds a special place in my heart, and I have such fond memories of performing it.’’
Bryant took the foundation singing school lessons provided into her career.
‘‘One of the biggest lessons the school taught me was how important it is to prepare in advance and learn your material inside and out. It’s a principle that I’ve carried with me throughout my career,’’ she said.
After leaving Ashburton College, Bryant went on to gain a Bachelor in Performing Arts, majoring in musical theatre, at the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art.
Bryant has performed lead roles in a number of theatre productions and shows including North Shore Theatre Company in Auckland’s production of Wicked, where she performed as Nessarose and Glinda alternate.
‘‘This show was particularly challenging as we were cancelled twice due to Covid so I ended up working on it for two years. I then fell pregnant and my due date was closing night so I had to withdraw from the show. It was bittersweet after two years of working on the show, but meeting our little boy was definitely worth it,’’ Bryant said.
She has also performed in Avenue Q with Manukau Performing Arts in Auckland, where she played Kate Monster. She has performed twice in the Sound of Music as different von Trapp children, one of the shows by the former Ashburton Operatic Society and the other by The Court Theatre.
Bryant has been stunt double in Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power for Nori actor Markella Kavanagh. In The Shannara Chronicles television series she was the stunt double for Eretria actor Ivana Baquero.
Among the many other roles Bryant has had is as a professional dancer in shows and events. She has also been the casting director on films such as Disney’s Mulan, which involved casting about 5000 extras.
Her latest projects include voicing Helen in the upcoming children’s animated television series Little Big Blue, as well as working with the stunt department on the film The Wrecking Crew and Minecraft, a film based on the video game.
