BREAKING BARRIERS
Hanah Tayeb, winner of the Emily Campbell Scholarship, wants to bring about change for actors and communities of colour.
In the unpredictable pursuit of a career in acting, milestones often emerge as guiding lights, illuminating the path ahead. A significant milestone in my journey was being awarded the Emily Campbell Scholarship, a tribute to an extraordinary actor and human who left an indelible mark on the performing arts.
Receiving the scholarship felt like a cosmic confirmation that I was on the right track. Despite never having the chance to meet Emily, her legacy and the profound effect she had on people echoed through the halls of The Actors’ Program (TAP), where I found myself immersed in the transformative experience she helped make possible. The fact that the tutors who once shared the stage with Emily were now guiding my artistic growth added an extra layer of inspiration.
Perhaps it was the realisation that, without her contributions, I might not have had the opportunity to study and grow in this vibrant artistic community. Her impact extended beyond her time, creating a legacy that paved the way for aspiring actors like me.
The Actors’ Program provided a rich tapestry of opportunities for introspection, serving as a space where I could explore my identity within the industry and the world at large. The transformation from the person I was when I entered the program to who I had become by graduation marked a significant period of personal growth. It was a journey that forced me to confront and challenge preconceived notions, about both acting and myself.
Taking on roles such as Cordelia in ATC’s King Lear and Viola in The Pop-up Globe’s Twelfth Night was daunting. Stepping into the world of Shakespeare outside the structured walls of drama school was a challenge I had not fully anticipated. However, the process became a crucible of achievements and challenges, revealing to me that I possessed courage and strength I had underestimated.
As I embark on my acting career, it’s impossible to ignore the challenges that have come my way. The industry, despite its claims of inclusivity, still clings to a default that revolves around proximity to whiteness. This is evident in the seemingly trivial, yet impactful, struggle of not feeling comfortable on set without my hair meticulously styled. It’s a challenge rooted in the industry’s historical ignorance of diverse hair textures, but it serves as just one symptom of a broader issue that actors of colour face daily.
The slow progress towards true diversity and inclusion is disheartening. While we may hold onto hope, the gap between belief and reality remains substantial. The challenges I face as a woman and a person who is not white underscore the urgent need for tangible change within the industry. However, there are glimmers of hope in roles such as Roxy in season two of Raised By Refugees and Soraya in Miles From Nowhere. These opportunities allowed me to tell authentic stories about my community without the fear of tokenism or rejection. Through these characters, I contributed to humanising a community that has long been unfairly stigmatised.
These experiences coincide with my personal advocacy for a shift in the West’s treatment and perception of North African and Arab cultures. It reflects a broader call for change in how all BIPOC [black, indigenous and other people of colour] communities are represented and understood. These roles mark not just career milestones but also steps towards a more inclusive and empathetic industry.
In the spirit of the Emily Campbell Scholarship, I carry forward the responsibility to contribute to a more diverse, understanding and compassionate world through my craft. The journey is ongoing, but with each role, challenge and opportunity, I am reminded of the impact one person can have, inspiring change for the better.
Hanah Tayeb emigrated with her family from Algeria to New Zealand at age seven. The Emily Campbell Scholarship provided her a place at Auckland’s The Actors’ Program in 2022. For her graduation performance, Hanah took on the role of Christine in Stef Smith’s adaptation of the Ibsen play, Nora: A Doll’s House.
