Rachel House

Last updated

Rachel House
ONZM
Rachel House by Gage Skidmore.jpg
House at the 2017 San Diego Comic-Con
Born
Rachel Jessica Te Ao Maarama House

(1971-10-20) 20 October 1971 (age 53) [1]
Auckland, New Zealand
Occupations
  • Actress
  • director
Years active1992–present
Notable work

Rachel Jessica Te Ao Maarama House ONZM (born 20 October 1971) is a New Zealand actress and director. She is best known for her roles in the films of Taika Waititi. She has received numerous accolades including an Arts Laureate, NZ Order of Merit, 'Mana Wahine' from WIFT NZ and Te Waipuna a Rangi (Matariki Awards) for her contributions as an actor and director.

Contents

Early life

House was born 20 October 1971 in Auckland and raised in Kamo, Whangārei by her adoptive Scottish parents John and Sheila House. [1] [2] Her Māori iwi (tribal) affiliations are Ngāti Mutunga, Te Ātiawa and Ngāi Tahu. [3]

Career

Acting

House attended the New Zealand national drama school, Toi Whakaari, graduating in 1992. [2] She went into stage work with the Pacific Underground Theatre and the Auckland Theatre Company. [2]

She has acted in several major productions that have toured nationally and internationally, including Hone Kouka's Waiora , Carol Anne Duffy's The Worlds Wife and the UK/New Zealand co-production of Beauty and the Beast. [2]

In 1998 House made her screen debut in the short film Queenie and Pete. [4] In 2002 she appeared in the award-winning feature film Whale Rider. In 2005 she became a series regular on Maddigan's Quest alongside a young Rose McIver.

In 2008 House appeared in Taika Waititi's first feature film, Eagle vs Shark. She has gone on to become a regular collaborator with Waititi, appearing in his second film, Boy, in 2010, and providing acting coach for the young actors on set. [5] In 2016 she appeared in Waititi's third film, Hunt for the Wilderpeople , and again provided acting coaching for the young lead Julian Dennison. [6]

House voiced Gramma Tala in the 2016 Disney animated film Moana. In 2017, she played Grandmaster's bodyguard Topaz in Thor: Ragnarok . In 2019, she was one of the leading roles in Bellbird, a film that received several awards at several international film festivals. In 2020, she voiced Terry in the Pixar animated film Soul.

She plays one of the main roles in the Australian 2023 comedy drama series Bay of Fires, and in 2024 will reprise her role in the second season of the award-winning Netflix series Heartbreak High . [7] In response to her work in Australia, Bridget McManus of the Sydney Morning Herald wrote, "with her commanding presence and unmistakable New Zealand accent, Rachel House is a serial scene-stealer on Australian television and film." [8]

In television, House became a series regular in the Netflix reboot series Heartbreak High as Principal Stacy "Woodsy" Woods in 2022. The same year, House also appeared in the Apple TV+ series Foundation 2 and ABC series Bay of Fires . In 2023, House portrayed the pirate Mary Read in season 2 of the HBO Max comedy Our Flag Means Death .

As a voice actor, she is known for her roles as 'Gramma Tala' in Disney's Moana (2016) and 'Terry' in Pixar's Soul (2020). In 2023 she voiced 'Grandma Coco' in the Māori language version of Pixar's Coco (2017). She has starred in numerous animated series for television, including Sherwood, The Lion Guard , Amphibia , Pinecone and Pony, What If…? , Kiff and Koala Man .

As an acting coach, House has worked alongside Jane Campion for Top of the Lake and The Power of the Dog (2021); and with Taika Waititi on Boy (2010), Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016), Jojo Rabbit (2019) and Next Goal Wins (2023).

House was named as part of the cast for Stan Australia series Sunny Nights. [9]

Directing

House has directed numerous theatrical performances, short films and a feature film released in 2024.

After graduating from drama school in 1992, House went on to direct theatrical performances, including Have Car, Will Travel by Mitch Tawhi Thomas in 2001 for which she won several awards. [2]

In 2008 House studied directing at the Prague Film School in the Czech Republic. While there she made two short films, Bravo and New Skirt. [2]

In 2010, she directed Kylie Meehan's short film The Winter Boy, produced by Hineani Melbourne for the New Zealand Film Commission's Premiere Shorts.

In 2012, House directed the Māori-language version of Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida , Toroihi rāua ko Kahira, adapted by Te Haumihiata Mason and set in a classical Māori and a pre-colonial Māori world. It was performed as part of an international series at London's Globe Theatre. Other theatre directing work includes the award-winning production of Hinepau, which House also co-adapted from Gavin Bishop's original book and toured both nationally and internationally, Neil La Bute's The Mercy Seat and Hui by longtime collaborator Mitch Tawhi Thomas that premiered at the Auckland Arts Festival in 2013.

In 2016, House directed Auckland-based theatre company Silo Theatre's production of Medea, [10] a contemporary retelling of the Euripides myth created by Australian theatre-makers Kate Mulvany and Anne-Louise Sarks.

House has co-directed with Tweedie Waititi of Matewa Media for the Māori language versions of Disney animated films The Lion King (2004) and Moana (2016). [11]

In 2024, House's first feature film as a director premiered in Taranaki, Aotearoa New Zealand. The Mountain is "a heartfelt drama about three children on a mission to find healing under the watchful eye of Taranaki Mounga (Mountain) and discover friendship in the spirit of adventure". [12] [13]

Recognition

In 1995, House won the "Most Promising Female Newcomer of the Year" Chapman Tripp Theatre Award for her one-woman show Nga Pou Wahine by Briar Grace-Smith. [2] In 2000 she won Most Outstanding Performance for her role in Witi Ihimaera's critically acclaimed play Woman Far Walking (as Tiriti, a 160-year-old woman) [14] and in 2003, Best Supporting Actress in Henrik Ibsen's An Enemy of the People. [2]

House won the 2001 Director of the Year award at both the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards and the New Zealand Listener Awards for her direction of Mitch Tawhi Thomas' play Have Car Will Travel. [2]

She attended the Prague Film School in 2008 and was awarded Best Director and Best Film Audience Award for her two short films made while studying there. [2] [ where? ]

In 2012, she received the New Zealand Arts Foundation's Laureate Award, which is given as an investment in excellence across a range of art forms for an artist with prominence and outstanding potential for future growth. In the same year, she won Production of the Year and Director of the Year at the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards, for her direction of Toroihi rāua ko Kahira. [2]

In 2016, House received the WIFT (Women in Film & Television) NZ Mana Wāhine Award for her prolific contribution to theatre and film, both in front of and behind the camera. [15]

In the 2017 Queen's Birthday Honours, House was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the performing arts. [16]

In 2018, House was a joint winner with Professor Derek Lardelli of the Te Waipuna-ā-Rangi Award for Arts and Entertainment at the Matariki Awards, [17] held by Whakaata Māori (formerly Māori TV).

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2002 Whale Rider Shilo
2004 Fracture Taxi driver
2006 Perfect Creature Forensic woman
2007 Eagle vs Shark Nancy
2010 Boy Aunty GraceyAlso acting coach [18]
2013 White Lies Maraea
2014 Everything We Loved TV reporter (voice)
The Dark Horse Vagrant woman
2016 Hunt for the Wilderpeople PaulaDirector's Intern and Dialogue Coach
The Rehearsal Rewia
CradleSystem (voice) [19] Short film
Moana Gramma Tala (voice)English and Māori-language dubbings
2017 Thor: Ragnarok Topaz
2019 Bellbird Connie [20]
Jojo Rabbit American SoldierDeleted scene; also acting coach [21]
2020 Penguin Bloom Gaye
Soul Terry (voice)
Ellie & Abbie (& Ellie's Dead Aunt) Patty
2021 Cousins Missy
Rhys Darby: Mystic Time BirdThe Shaman [22] Recorded voice role
Millie Lies Low Marlene [23]
Back to the Outback Jacinta (voice)
2023 The Portable Door Nienke Van Spee
Next Goal Wins Ruth
The Moon Is Upside Down Tuffy [24]
Coco Mamá Coco (voice)Māori-language dubbing [25]
2024 Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire Hampton

Director

YearTitleNotes
2008 [2] BravoShort film
New SkirtShort film
2010The Winter BoyShort film [2]
2024 The Mountain

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1996Queenie and PeteQueenie
1998Tiger CountryFaenzaTelevision Movie
1999–2000The Life and Times of Te TutuHineCore Cast
2002 Duggan WarderTelevision Movie
MatakuRachelSeason 1
Revelations Ocelot
2005Ask Your AuntiePanelist
2006 Maddigan's Quest GonerilCore Cast
2011 Super City RoimataSeason 1
2013 The Blue Rose Tina3 Episodes
2014Hope and WireJoycie WaruMini-Series
Soul Mates Mum
2015Find Me a Māori BrideKuiniSeason 1
2016 Wolf Creek RuthMini-Series
2018, 2020 The New Legends of Monkey MonicaSeason 1-2
2018 Wrecked MarthaSeason 3
2019 The Lion Guard Mama BinturongVoice role; 6 episodes
2020 Stateless HarrietMiniseries; 6 episodes
2021 Cowboy Bebop MaoMain cast
2021 Creamerie Doc Harvey3 episodes
2021–2023 What If...? TopazVoice role; 2 episodes: "What If... Thor Were an Only Child?", "What If... Iron Man Crashed Into the Grandmaster?"
2022 Amphibia Parisia (voice)Episode: "Olm Town Road"
2022–present Pinecone & Pony Gladys (voice)Recurring role
2022–present Heartbreak High WoodsyRecurring role
2023–present Kiff Mary Buns3 episodes
2023–present Foundation [26] Tellem BondSeason 2
2023 Koala Man Janine (voice)Main role
2023 Bay of Fires Airini4 episodes
2023 Our Flag Means Death [27] Mary Read1 episode
2024 Time Bandits FiannaMiniseries
2024 The Legend of Vox Machina [28] Dohla (voice)2 episodes
TBASunny NightsTBATBA

Theatre

Actor

YearTitleRoleNotes
1994Tales of the PacificVariousPacific Underground Theatre
By DegreesDonna Auckland Theatre Company
Savage Hearts – Manawa TauaVariousTheatre at Large
1995Risky RisqueBaby BATS Theatre
Nga Pou WahineVariousNew Zealand Tour
The MaidsClaire
Five AngelsCarol/Api Centrepoint Theatre
1996WaioraAmerica New Zealand International Festival of the Arts
WaitapuJackieNew Zealand & Canadian Tour
King Lear Cordelia/VariousTheatre at Large
1997WaioraAmericaNew Zealand & UK Tour
Alice in WonderlandVariousBruce Mason Centre
Nga Pou WahineNew Zealand & Sydney – Australia Tour
1998 Beauty and the Beast New Zealand International Festival of the Arts
2000Serial KillersSimone Circa Theatre
Woman Far WalkingTiritiNew Zealand International Festival of the Arts
2001New Zealand & Hawaiian Tour
2002The World's WifeVariousNew Zealand International Festival of the Arts
The BellbirdTapairu Auckland Theatre Company
South Pacific Bloody Mary Court Theatre
2003CherishMaeveCirca Theatre
An Enemy of the People
The World's WifeVariousNew Zealand Tour
2010 The Vagina Monologues The Basement Theatre
2013 White Rabbit, Red Rabbit Nassim Silo Theatre

Director

YearTitleNotes
2001Have Car Will Travel Taki Rua
2002Silo Theatre
2005 The Mercy Seat
HinepauCapital E National Theatre for Children
2006Australian Tour
2006–2007Frangipani PerfumeNew Zealand; Brisbane, Australia; Cambridge, U.K
2007Wild Dogs Under My Skirt Auckland Festival
2009Flintlock MusketSTAMP at THE EDGE
2010 The Vagina Monologues The Basement Theatre [29]
2012 The Māori Troilus and Cressida Globe Theatre
2013HuiAuckland Arts Festival & Silo Theatre
Don IoanePacific Institute of Performing Arts
2014MISS.Understood
2016 Medea Silo Theatre

Awards

YearAwardCategoryWorkResult
1995 Chapman Tripp Theatre Award Most Promising Female NewcomerNga Pou WahineWon
1996Best Supporting ActressKing LearNominated
2001Director of the YearHave Car Will TravelWon
New Zealand Listener AwardBest DirectorWon
2002 Chapman Tripp Theatre Award Outstanding PerformanceWoman Far WalkingWon
2003Best Supporting ActressAn Enemy of the PeopleWon
2008Prague Film SchoolBest DirectorBravoWon
Prague Film School Audience AwardBest FilmNew SkirtWon
2010Winnipeg Aboriginal Film FestivalBest Supporting Actress Boy Won
2012 Chapman Tripp Theatre Award Director of the YearThe Māori Troilus and CressidaWon
2012New Zealand Arts Foundation Laureate AwardWon
2016WIFT NZ Mana Wāhine AwardWon
2018Te Waipuna-ā-Rangi Award for Arts and EntertainmentEntertainer of the YearWon

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References

  1. 1 2 "Today in History: October 20". thepost.co.nz. The Post. 19 October 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "Rachel House". Arts Foundation. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  3. ↑ "Full Length Trailer for 'The Mountain' Released". New Zealand Film Commission. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  4. ↑ Screen, NZ On. "Rachel House | NZ On Screen". www.nzonscreen.com. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  5. ↑ "Rachel House". Big Screen Symposium. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  6. ↑ Christian, Dionne (11 June 2016). "Hunt for the Wilderpeople's Rachel House on her new project". New Zealand Herald. ISSN   1170-0777 . Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  7. ↑ "Term Two Begins at Hartley High as 'Heartbreak High' Season 2 Premieres April 11 on Netflix". 29 January 2024.
  8. ↑ McManus, Bridget (14 July 2023). "'I would call me a wanker': Meet the Kiwi stealing the shows". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  9. ↑ Knox, David (11 July 2024). "Production begins on new Stan comedy-drama Sunny Nights | TV Tonight". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  10. ↑ "This is Medea, But Not as We Know It". Scoop News (Press release). 28 April 2016. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  11. ↑ "Disney to produce te reo Māori versions of The Lion King, Frozen". NZ Herald. 19 March 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  12. ↑ "Production Completed On Rachel House's Debut Feature The Mountain". New Zealand Film Commission. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  13. ↑ Screen, NZ On. "The Mountain | Film | NZ On Screen". www.nzonscreen.com. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  14. ↑ "Theatre Aotearoa". tadb.otago.ac.nz. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  15. ↑ "WIFT NZ Mana Wahine Awards for 2016". www.wiftnz.org.nz. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
  16. ↑ "Queen's Birthday honours list 2017". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 5 June 2017. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  17. ↑ "Rachel House and Professor Derek Lardelli joint winners of Te Waipuna-ā-Rangi Award". Te Ao Māori News. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  18. ↑ “Boy (2010) - Full Cast & Crew”. IMDb. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  19. ↑ Cradle at IMDb Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  20. ↑ Rudkin, Francesca (7 November 2019). "New rural dramedy Bellbird, a 'Joy to Watch' [Film Review]". The New Zealand Herald . Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  21. ↑ "Clever" 'Jojo Rabbit' Deleted Scene Detailed by Rachel House
  22. ↑ “Rhys Darby: Mystic Time Bird (2021).” Letterboxd.com. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  23. ↑ "Millie Lies Low". New Zealand Film Commission. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  24. ↑ "The Moon is Upside Down". New Zealand Film Commission. Archived from the original on 17 May 2024. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  25. ↑ "Coco Reo Māori". Matewa Media. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  26. ↑ "Global hit Apple Original series "Foundation" unveils new cast and first look at season two". Apple TV+ Press. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  27. ↑ Vickers-Green, Laura (5 October 2023). "Our Flag Means Death Season 2 Cast: Meet The New Characters". Den of Geek. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  28. ↑ "Full Cast of Vox Machina Season 3 & Characters Guide: Every Actor & Who They Voice (Photos)". The Direct. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  29. ↑ "The Vagina Monologues | Scoop News".
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