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Jason Wu is a feature actor in the up-coming Phoenix Performing Arts play called Elephant in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Where: Corban Estate Arts Centre (Shed 1),
When: Friday, 13th December, 7:30pm,
Website: www.ceac.org.nz for more details
[Note: Some content may offend some people. Parental guidance is recommended. Not suitable for those under 15]

Jason's an up and coming actor, theatre and film practitioner rising out of Phoenix NZYP (New Zealand Young Performers) and now a part of Phoenix Performing Arts - the theatre hub of developing talent coming from West Auckland and currently centred at the Corbans Estate Arts Centre.
Jason started out as one of the foundation students of Phoenix NZYP and now mentors beginning actors taking part in the group. He starred in the NZ feature film Matariki and has been involved in several stage performances since.
Jason is now also a graduate of UNITEC Bachelor of Screen and Performing Arts. He plans to do a Diploma in Teaching and further take his passion into the classroom. But for now Phoenix has allowed him to fulfill his passion of working with youth and creating meaningful change through the arts.
We asked Jason a few questions about himself and his involvement in Elephant in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Q1 Tell us a little about your background in theatre?
I started acting in high school then right out of high school I landed a role on a feature film called Matariki and because of that experience I decided to further my training at Unitec studying performing and screen arts acting. I've been involved in quite a few shows and earlier on this year I was involved with Titus Andronicus at the Q theatre.

Q2 What made you want to get involved in this project?
I've been with Phoenix for the pass 6 years, and most of my experience and skills were acquired with my work there. Jay asked me to be involved in Elephant and in looking at the ideas he was talking about, I thought it was a pretty worthy project - dealing with bullying and identity and stuff like that.

Q3 What has it been like working with the other members of the cast?
It's been a unique experience. I'm not used to devising a stage piece that is so different from the usual narrative processes people use. But, I think once I stopped telling myself that it didn't make sense, the piece started to come together and there was a lot more clarity. I've really enjoyed working with the other cast members and they've really shown their talent when it came to devising the different parts of the play. It's been a real collaborative effort.

Q4 The play touches on some interesting and emotional topics. How have you handled this?
The issues the play touches on are tough for anyone to try and cope with alone. But with phoenix, these issues are brought to light and I feel like it's a safe environment to discuss and bring up these issues without being judged or looked down on. That's helped us all work through the process of tackling the issues and really let us get down to what it's all about.

Q5 Nathaniel Lees will be mentoring the group. Are you looking forward to working with him?
Nathaniel is a Pacific Islands actors ICON! I am really scared to actually perform in front of him but I'm also excited to get the opportunity!!

Q6 What do you think the audience will get out of the play?
If anything, I hope the audience gets the courage to speak up. If they are going through some of the issues that we are presenting in the play, I hope they start thinking about it and start talking to each other to find solutions.