• Matthew Kereama

Being Millennial - Matthew Kereama

In his early 20s, actor, currently in Shakespeare at The Pumphouse, university student...

We are profiling ‘Millennials' in this, our first issue for 2018. What exactly is a Millennial you might ask? The answer is they are Teenagers, 20 and 30 year olds who were born in the 80s and 90s. They’ve also been called 'Generation Y’.
Millennials are generally regarded as being more open-minded, accepting, confident, self-expressive, liberal, upbeat and receptive to new ideas and ways of living. Millennials are often cited as being more self-assured than past generations, they will also have a strong sense of civic responsibility, a healthy work-life balance and have socially liberal views. The generation is generally marked by an increased use and familiarity with communications, media, and digital technologies.
On the downside they've been described as lazy, narcissistic and prone to jump from job to job. Portrayed as wanting flexible work schedules, more 'me time’ on the job and seek nonstop feedback and career advice. The have also been called the ‘Generation Me', with more of an emphasis on extrinsic values such as money, fame, and image, and less emphasis on intrinsic values such as self-acceptance, group affiliation and community.
The Channel Magazine team set out to find some answers and talked to six local North Shore people who span the Millennial range. From a teenager at school through to a business person running his own firm. Also in our Millennial mix is an Olympic gold medalist, an actor, a marketer and politician and young lawyer.

Channel Magazine: Please share your story so far. What are the highlights for you?
Matthew Kereama: Over the course of my career in the performing arts I have been fortunate to have some amazing opportunities cross my path. These opportunities have seen me acting and singing in a wide variety of shows with companies such as Auckland Theatre Company, Opera Factory, Pop-up Globe, The PumpHouse and SGCNZ Young Shakespeare Company. I am currently attending Auckland University, working towards a Bachelor of Music majoring in Classical Performance as opera combines my two loves of acting and singing.
My highlights to date include completing a course studying acting and the brilliance of Shakespeare at The Globe in London as a member of the SGCNZ Young Shakespeare Company in July 2016.  This involved training in London with leading theatre practitioners and performing the ‘Taming of the Shrew’ on The Globe Theatre stage. I can say without a doubt it was a truly life changing experience.
As Head Boy of Rosmini College in 2016 it was a highlight and an honour for me last year to co-direct the musical Bugsy Malone for the college alongside Margaret-Mary Hollins. Rosmini College has supported me strongly over the years in my pursuit towards a career in the arts and for this I am very grateful. In addition to my studies I am also involved in the Rosmini Academy of Performing Arts, teaching some of the shores biggest and brightest up and coming stars.

CM: What is your passion and where do you hope it will take you in 2018 and beyond?
MK: At the end of my three-year degree I intend to head overseas for further educational development, with the hope of returning to New Zealand and contributing to our vibrant, flourishing theatre industry.

CM: What do you think will be important trends in 2018 and beyond and how will they impact on you?
MK: I can’t predict the future trends for the coming year, but I would say that theatre and the arts have always been mediums to highlight social issues. I look forward to watching and being part of some fresh hard hitting New Zealand material in 2018 and the years to come.

CM: Valentine’s Day is this month.  Will you celebrate this and if so, how?
MK: Yes, I will. I’m going to spend Valentine's day with my first true love...food.

CM: What would be your dream North Shore day out and who would you share it with?
MK: This is easy… I’d be going straight to Devonport with family and friends for a brilliant day out, finishing off with a great meal at Corelli’s Cafe.  

CM: Being a millennial means….
MK: …you’re a pro communicator who has no concept of a world without the internet.

CM: What’s the best and worst thing about being a millennial?
MK: Best – unlimited access to useful information. Worst – Unlimited access to useless information.