The PumpHouse Theatre is thrilled to welcome the newest member of our team, Ethan! As our new Administrator, he’s helping keep things running smoothly behind the scenes, supporting our team and making sure all the little details that keep our theatre ticking are taken care of.

But who is Ethan beyond the admin and paperwork? We had a kōrero with him to learn more about the person behind the desk. Have a read and get to know him!

Tell us a bit about you! You as a person, your background in the arts, and what brought you to The PumpHouse Theatre?

Ethan: Kia ora! I’m Ethan, and I’m currently in my second year at the University of Auckland, studying Finance and Management. I’ve always had a big interest in film, theatre and storytelling, and during my time at Rosmini College, I was involved in acting, writing and directing school productions, including performing at The PumpHouse! Outside of theatre, I’m really interested in filmmaking and creating my own projects. When the opportunity to work at The PumpHouse came up, it felt like the perfect chance to combine my creative interests with the business side of my studies. It’s pretty cool being able to return to a theatre I’ve performed in, but this time working behind the scenes!

What excites you most about being the Administrator?

Ethan: I really enjoy that there’s always something different happening! Whether it’s managing accounts, processing payroll or helping out with the day-to-day running of the theatre, there’s plenty of variety. I also love knowing that the work happening behind the scenes helps make all the amazing productions and events at The PumpHouse possible.

What’s your favourite way to spend a day off?

Ethan: I love my social life but also keeping my health up, so probably a combination of going to the gym, catching up with friends and watching a good movie (or three). I also spend quite a bit of time working on creative projects (such as the YouTube channels I manage) and coming up with new ideas. Although, sometimes a day with absolutely nothing planned is just as good!

Do you have a theatre show or performance that’s stuck with you?

Ethan: I hate to be a basic brother… but it’s honestly Hamilton. I saw that musical when I first started getting into theatre and it had a hook on me for months. I hate calling that my favourite musical work because it’s just so basic but it’s just one of the greatest things I’ve ever seen! I’m arguably more into film and television though, so some works that I adore would be ‘Succession’ (greatest TV show O.A.T.) and ‘The Tale of the Princess Kaguya’ (greatest film O.A.T.). Argue with the wall…

Essential workday fuel: coffee, tea, or something else entirely?

Ethan: Food. That’s all I care about. Just good and filling food. The go-to has to be either a meatball sub or as much sushi as I can eat.

What is something about you that people may be surprised to know?

Ethan: Hmmm… it might be the YouTube channels. I own multiple channels which have generated over 43,000 subscribers combined and it serves as a great side hustle!

What’s your go-to song for getting pumped up?

Ethan: I love all kinds of music, but right now, probably; Tuscan Leather (Drake), How Deep is Your Love (Calvin Harris), Dreams and Nightmares (Meek Mill), 39 Intro (J. Cole), and Return of the Mack (Mark Morrison).

If you had a superpower that made your job easier, what would it be?

Ethan: Solely for the purpose of work, I might go with super speed.

What’s your earliest theatre memory?

Ethan: One of the earliest might be when I went to see the 2021 Rosmini College production ‘Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf’. I genuinely adored that show and still have such vivid memories of nearly every scene. It’s hysterical from front to back and surprisingly thrilling, and it blends fairytale characters so perfectly. Karen Bellis and Roman Shipton are low-key geniuses for making that gem of a show!

In the movie about your life, who plays you?

Ethan: Me, the one with the best vision for the role has gotta be the man himself! But… I reckon Mike Faist could pull it off. Everyone says I look like the brother, so it might be a sign…

What do you love about theatre?

Ethan: I love how theatre brings people together to experience a story in a way that you can’t quite replicate anywhere else. Unlike film, every live performance is a little different, and there’s something really special about the energy between the performers and the audience. Having experienced both sides of the stage, I also have a huge appreciation for all the work that goes into bringing a production to life.