Sarah Thomson (actress)

Sarah Thomson (born 17 June 1985) is a New Zealand actress, known for playing roles in two series of the Power Rangers franchise, for her role in New Zealand's longest running soap opera, Shortland Street, and for playing a lead role in puppet show The Moe Show.

Sarah Thomson
Born (1985-06-17) 17 June 1985 (age 38)
New Zealand
Occupation(s)Actress, puppeteer, writer
Years active2005–present

Career edit

Thomson's early roles included playing the "rich bitch" character Tiffany in New Zealand reality show Living the Dream (2004),[1][2] the role of Diane/Hydrax in Power Rangers S.P.D. (2005)[3][4] and a role in the film Meet Me in Miami (released 2005). She has a bachelor of arts from the University of Auckland.[5]

In 2006, Thomson and eleven others were chosen out of 260 applicants to participate in Auckland theatre company Silo Theatre's talent project for new actors, The Ensemble Project.[6] Other participants included Morgana O'Reilly and Bonnie Soper. The company performed in a season of two plays. One of them was an interpretation of 'Tis Pity She's a Whore directed by Michael Hurst, and the other was a company-devised piece called Based On Auckland, led by director Oliver Driver.[7][8] Both works played in the 2008 Auckland Festival.

Thomson appeared as undercover policewoman/nurse Tracey Morrison on New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street from 2007 to 2011.[9][10] In a 2008 interview with the The Daily Post, she explained that her character would be leaving the police force after a brush with the Ferndale Strangler and returning to a nursing career in the upcoming season.[11] Her character's 2011 wedding to James "Scotty" Scott featured in a Woman's Day list of favourite Shortland Street weddings.[12]

During her time on Shortland Street she also played the role of Fran in the 2008 series Power Rangers Jungle Fury; she noted "it's a hilarious coincidence that I got pyjama pants and croc shoes as my main costume in both Power Rangers and Shorty Street".[11] In 2013 she played a supporting role in a one-month run of Tribes at the Fortune Theatre, Dunedin, directed by Lara McGregor.[13]

Beginning in 2014, Thomson wrote and performed for five seasons of the children's puppet television show, The Moe Show, performing and voicing Fern the Fairy.[14][15][16] She describes The Muppet Show as a major influence and one of her favourite shows as a child.[17] Following the show's final season, she performed in a radio show and live shows, and in 2022 an animated series.[16]

From 2018 to 2021, she was the programme director of New Zealand's largest independent radio station, 95bFM,[18] having initially taken the role on a three month secondment.[19] She hosted an afternoon show each Saturday until September 2022.[20] In 2021, Thomson moved to NZ On Air in Auckland, where she is the music contracts and funding coordinator.[5] She is also a relief newsreader at Radio New Zealand.[21]

Film work edit

TV work edit

Other credits edit

  • Alt TV – Station Music Producer (2007–08)
  • Rip It Up, among others – Freelance Music Writer (2011–2015)
  • 95bFM – ex-Breakfast Producer; ex-Programme Director (2018-2021); Saturday 2–4pm host (2015–present)

References edit

  1. ^ "Living the Dream - Full Series". NZ On Screen. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  2. ^ Barry, Rebecca (5 August 2004). "The untrue man show". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  3. ^ "Sarah Thomson | Credits". TV Guide. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  4. ^ "Power Rangers S.P.D (2005)". Behind the Voice Actors. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Our team". NZ On Air. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  6. ^ "Flash: Preview performance of The Ensemble Project". The New Zealand Herald. 19 March 2007. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  7. ^ "Silo Delivers The Next Generation Of Performance". Scoop Independent News. Silo Theatre. 16 December 2008. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  8. ^ van Beek, Kathryn (16 March 2007). "Topical, authentic, close to home". Theatreview. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  9. ^ "TV Pick of the week: Shortland Street". The New Zealand Herald. 16 December 2010. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  10. ^ "Dramatic start for Shortland St". Otago Daily Times. 11 January 2011. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  11. ^ a b "You just can't keep her away". The Daily Post. 28 July 2008. p. A20. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  12. ^ "Our favourite Shortland Street weddings". Woman's Day. 24 May 2017. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  13. ^ MacTavish, Terry (17 June 2013). "Tribes: Funny, daring, hopeful, insightful". Theatreview. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  14. ^ Awarau, Aroha (29 August 2014). "How I Live: My job is child's play". Australian Women's Weekly. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  15. ^ Croot, James (3 July 2014). "Furry monster back for second season". Stuff. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  16. ^ a b Harvey, Kerry (12 January 2022). "Kiwi tree monster Moe goes global". Stuff. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  17. ^ "Screen test". The Dominion Post. 12 May 2009. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  18. ^ "Soundtrack to my Life: Sarah Thomson". The New Zealand Herald. 14 February 2019. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  19. ^ Parker, Katie (25 January 2018). "95bFM: Turning the page on a new chapter". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  20. ^ "Saturday Afternoon with Sarah". 95bFM. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  21. ^ "RNZ news reader Sarah Thomson on songs that stay in your life". RNZ. 25 September 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2022.

External links edit