Batanai Mashingaidze
Actor | DirectorBatanai Mashingaidze is a Zimbabwe born New Zealand actor, director, and creative based in Tāmaki Makaurau.
Since graduating from Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School in 2016, she has performed in multiple theatre shows. She received stand-out reviews for her role in Silo Theatre's Seven Methods of Killing Kylie Jenner, and Red Leap's Dakota of the White Flats in which she plays the titular role.
In 2016 Batanai helped create Arts Access Aotearoa's The Looking Glass; a devised theatre piece at Arohata Women’s Prison with 20 of the women in the unit. She continues to collaborate with Auckland’s MIXIT, mentoring youth from refugee and migrant backgrounds.
Recently she has had the opportunity to work more regularly on screen, having roles in a number internatonal feature films shot in New Zealand.
Full Biography
Film
2024 - Heart Eyes - Cop - Director - Josh Ruben - Screen Gems
Television
2022 - Wellington Paranormal - Restaurant Worker - Director - Tim van Dammen - New Zealand Documentary Board
Theatre
2024 - Dakota of the White Flats (NZ Tour) - Dakota - Red Leap Theatre
2023 - Dakota of the White Flats - Dakota - Red Leap Theatre
2022 - Seven Methods of Killing Kylie Jenner - Cleo - Director - Keagan Carr Fransch
2020 - Second Unit: What Will You Do in the Shadows? - Core - Directors - Stella Reid, Benjamin Henson and Andrew Foster - Tāwhiri, New Zealand Festival
2020 - The Miracle Worker- Viney - Auckland Theatre Company (to be released)
2020 - Emilia - William Shakespeare / Hester - Director - Miriama McDowell - Pop Up Globe
2018 - Public Service Announcement - Performer - Directors - Anya Tate Manning and Hannah Smith
2018 - Odd One Out Tour - Core - Director - Jo Randerson - In Partnership with Capital E
2018 - Rushes - Performer - Director - Malia Johnston
2017 - The Maids - Core - Director - Sam Phillips
Short Film
2017 - Drop Down Globe - Beatrice - Director - Stella Reid
2016 - Marching - Batanai - Director - James Ashcroft - Light in the Dark Productions
Music
2019 - World of Wearable Arts (Award Ceremony) - Featured Singer
Director
2021 - EggFruit - Barbarian Productions, Te Papa
2018 - Mixit Youth Arts Organisation
Driver’s License - Full
Painter, Baker, Musician, Hockey, Jogging, Netball