Writers Write: Actors Read, which features well-known local actors Nick Kemplen and Donna Botha reading short stories by Aotearoa’s best writers, will be recorded live at this year’s Nelson Arts Festival. Series producer Bridget van der Zijpp will introduce the readings.

Come along for some brilliant storytelling. Writers Write: Actors Read is a New Zealand podcast series with well-known actors reading short stories by Aotearoa’s best writers to a live audience.

In this episode of Writers Write: Actors Read, which will be recorded live at this year’s Nelson Arts Festival, Nick Kemplen will read Lawrence Patchett’s ‘Big Bastard’, from his short story collection, Have This Heart, and Donna Botha will read Susanna Elliffe’s story, ‘Patron Saints of Roadkill’, from the short story collection of the same name.

Come along and be part of the show – with the audience getting the rare chance to join the actors on stage at the NCMA Auditorium.

NOTE: Doug Brooks was due to appear in this show but has been cast in a popular NZ series (but we aren’t allowed to talk about it publicly yet)!


Donna Botha
Donna Botha’s been quietly carving out her spot in the acting world of Nelson, with a knack for slipping into roles across film, TV, and theatre. From her early days on Shortland Street to her more recent roles in the short film scene and on stage, she’s shown a range that spans from heartfelt leads to quirky supports. Notably, her roles in films like James Blonde and Northspur have not only showcased her talent but also earned her accolades, including a Best Actress win at the Top of the South Film Festival.

Nick Kemplen
Nick Kemplen has been performing professionally on stage and screen for over 30 years. As well as starring in local and international film and TV productions (including the Xena and Hercules franchises), he has appeared in over twenty television commercials. Nick has also been involved in local theatre for the last 10 years, with leading roles in Maungatapu (part of the 2016 Nelson Arts Festival) and The Wairau Affray. In 2013 Nick was awarded best actor in the Nelson Fringe Festival for his performance in ‘Central Otago Man’, performing to sell out shows. More recently, he played Duncan at the Suter theatre production of ‘The Blunderstudy’.

https://nelsonartsfestival.nz/event/writers-write-actors-read/