A young aspiring actress from Canterbury is hoping that her recent appearance on New Zealand’s iconic soap opera will kickstart her acting career.
At just 21 years old, Zoe Ritchie, who grew up in Ashburton, had the opportunity to showcase her talent as a ‘ditsy’ hospital patient in a special episode of Shortland Street, which aired on February 24 and is now available on TVNZ+.
Reflecting on her journey, Ritchie shared that she fell in love with acting at the age of 13 and joined the Big Little Theatre Company in Ashburton to hone her skills.
Her time at the theatre school played a significant role in shaping her acting abilities. After graduating from Ashburton College, Ritchie continued her training at Hagley Theatre School and later at Unitec in Auckland, where she is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts.
It was a stroke of luck for Ritchie and 20 of her classmates when a director from Shortland Street visited their class and offered them roles in an episode centered around a music festival accident.
Ritchie portrayed Marissa Stanley, a character with a bubbly personality who unfortunately meets a tragic end in the episode. Despite the challenges of the role, Ritchie thoroughly enjoyed bringing Marissa to life on screen.
Appearing on Shortland Street not only allowed Ritchie to showcase her talent but also gave her the chance to meet the show’s cast, including some of her personal favorites.
Following the episode’s airing, Ritchie and her classmates gathered to watch it together. Despite initial nerves, Ritchie was pleased with her performance and felt a sense of pride in seeing herself on screen.
