Kyle Chuen

Senior Academic Staff Member

Music and performing arts (theatre and voice)

Contact info

Phone

Email

kyle.chuen@wintec.ac.nz

Location

About

Kyle holds a BPA in Musical Theatre and is a proud member of Actors Equity.

A co-founding member and Artistic Director of Smokey Productions, Kyle has helped create and direct Hood St. The Musical and BoyJam (Hamilton’s premiere boy band reunion concert) and is working on a number of other devised pastiche musical comedy’s.
Recently as a director he has taken the reins of the annual Clarence St. Theatre musical theatre concert series with critically acclaimed productions of Broadway Hitmen and Superstars the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber and friends.

As a performer Kyle was an original cast member of That Bloody Woman, performing the role of William over four seasons of the show (Christchurch Arts Festival, ATC, Court Theatre and the National Tour).

Other recent theatrical highlights include Billy Elliot, Guys and Dolls, Jesus Christ Superstar and Little Shop of Horrors for Auckland Theatre Company, National tours of H.M.S Pinafore, Buddy Holly, Oklahoma and Pirates of Penzance, Assassins (SILO) Avenue Q (Fortune Theatre) The Last Five Years (3 Wines theatre company) Rock of Ages (Magnitude) School Dance (Centrepoint) Comedy Cabaret and 1931 (Blue Baths) and Orientation ( Proudly Asian Theatre) Regional productions playing Mary Sunshine in Chicago (Christchurch and Queenstown), Thuy in Miss Saigon ( Palmerston North and Dunedin), Jerry in the Full Monty (Nelson), Raoul in Phantom of the Opera,Eddie in Sister Act and Jean Valjean in Les Miserables (Hamilton).

He began his acting career in Christchurch and has performed at the Court Theatre in Pondlife Angels, The Country Wife, The Producers, The History Boys, La Cage Aux Folles, Anything Goes, Cabaret and Much Ado About Nothing.

He would one day like to host his own fishing show .

Awards

Qualifications

Bachelor of Performing Arts (Musical Theatre)

Diploma (Drama)

Adult Teaching Tertiary Practice

Areas of expertise

Industry experience, affiliations, and achievements

Research activity

I am currently completing a Masters, Hainamana, which is a musical theatre project exploring the stories of second generation Chinese New Zealanders. I have also been involved in the development of several musicals as a librettist, actor and director, including Mum’s Kitchen and Hood Street: The Musical.

Kyle Chuen, Wintec Research Archive

Select publications

What do you enjoy about teaching/your job?

What I love most about teaching is the opportunity to share the knowledge and experience I’ve gained in industry, while helping to nurture and inspire the next generation of professionals – students who will one day become valued peers in the field. I also deeply value ongoing professional development and enjoy collaborating with colleagues to continuously improve our teaching practices and stay current in our discipline. On top of that, I find real joy in the craft of acting itself – the creativity, spontaneity, and connection it brings make it not only a profession but a source of fun and energy that I bring into the classroom. 

What do you love about your area?

I love the genuine collaboration that happens in my field – working closely with students and colleagues in the classroom to explore ideas and build creative projects. I enjoy creating the frameworks that support this work, giving space for experimentation, growth, and the development of artistry through doing.

Tell us about your experience in the industry

My work experience includes performing with Court Theatre (Christchurch), Auckland Theatre Company, Silo Theatre (Auckland), Fortune Theatre (Dunedin), and Centrepoint Theatre (Palmerston North), as well as participating in several national tours. Beyond acting, I have directed a range of productions, including Grease, Assassins, That Bloody Woman, Songs for a New World and Godspell. I currently serve as a board member for Bold Theatre and the Hamilton Arts Festival, and I’m passionate about supporting and growing theatre in Aotearoa New Zealand.

What keeps you busy outside of Media Arts?

From skateboarding in my younger days to now being part of the Waikato Land-based Fishing Club, I've always loved staying active outdoors. These days, I'm settled in Raglan where I live with my wife and son.