S F H

From Stage to Studio: A Four-Decade Journey

Stephen began his artistic path with a Diploma in Drama from Auckland University (1987). His training included Theatre Corporate in Auckland, John Bolton Physical Theatre School in Melbourne, and a decade of improvisational study with Al Wunder—making him New Zealand’s only qualified teacher of Open Form Improvisational Theatre.

Over the years, Stephen performed in Shakespeare (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Measure for Measure), operas (Carmen, Madame Butterfly), and musicals. He sang with Melbourne’s barbershop quartet The Bell Hops and Waiheke’s V.12 Choir, while also accompanying students as a percussionist for 35 years.

International Recognition

Between 1993–2000, Stephen co-founded Soldier & Dancer Partnership, creating 47 original shows that toured internationally. In 1998, Hong Kong press recognised him as one of Australia’s leading clowns and mime artists. In 2010, he represented New Zealand at the International Improvisational Festival in Lyon, France.

From 2010 to 2020 he was a Clown Doctor at Starship Children’s Hospital, while leading workshops for Leadership NZ. He has directed Waiheke Playback Theatre since 2008.

The Poetry Awakening

On the Camino pilgrimage in Spain, Stephen discovered poetry—an awakening that became the foundation for his current work. He has since published 65+ poems in anthologies, released his debut collection Her Soft Fingers Pickpocket My Brain (2022), and is writing Breakfast with Jung, a 135-poem cycle exploring Carl Jung’s psychology, under the mentorship of poet Michael Harlow.