Matthew Lee

My thing is Acting

I hope to become New Zealand's finest young actor. To create films that provoke emotion and inspire. The Lee Strasberg Institute is my goal.

The nature of my goal

I began singing, dancing and acting when I was 7 years old. Throughout the years I was heavily involved in Tauranga's performing arts scene and performed as ensemble/leads in countless shows.

In June last year aged 17 I beat over 300 Australian actors for a role in Dance Academy - a new Australian 26-episode teen drama series. This role meant leaving school, moving countries and starting a new career away from my family and friends.

Dance Academy (due to air 31st May 2010) confirmed my passion for acting. The ability to not just play a role but physically become someone else intrigues me. I feel that acting just fits who I am and it is what I dream about and strive toward each and every day.

I hope to become one of New Zealand's finest actors. I want to make films that provoke emotion and inspire change. I believe the ability to bring joy, laughter, tears and entertainment to viewers would be very gratifying.

In my opinion, study is imperative in developing an actors ability and this is my biggest short-term goal. New York's The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute have offered me a place in their prestigious method acting school. This makes me the first New Zealander ever to be accepted into the institution. I would be studying at the same school that produced actors such as Robert DeNiro, Dustin Hoffman, Al Pacino, Angelina Jolie, Alec Baldwin, Christopher Walken, Scarlett Johansson, Marilyn Monroe and countless other inspiring actors.