Lara Fischel-Chisholm
Actor | Dancer | Choreographer | Writer | Intimacy Coordinator
Lara Fischel-Chisholm is a multifaceted performer and creator who works as an actor, dancer, producer, writer and choreographer.
She trained as an actor at Unitec School of Performing and Screen Arts, and completed a post-grad certificate in Acting Shakespeare at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (London). Her credits range across stage and screen, and she has appeared in numerous locally filmed productions, including Power Rangers, Funny Girls and Shortland Street.
She is the co-founder of Dynamotion, an Auckland based dance-theatre company celebrated for their innovative fusion of movement, comedy and dynamic storytelling. Most recent Dynamotion projects include Boot Scootin' Boogie (comissioned by Auckland Arts Festival) Peter and the Wolf (a collaboration with the Auckland Philharmonia) and The Children of Sacred Valley - all of which showcase her distinctive style that combines joy, humour, and inventive choreography.
Beyond her performance work, Lara is a qualified intimacy co-ordinator, she currently has a comedy TV series in development, and she is an experienced creative producer. She has contributed her expertise to a wide range of companies within the New Zealand arts community, including many years working with the NZ Comedy Trust.
Full Biography
Credits
Television
2019 - Shortland Street - Candace Edwards (recurring) - South Pacific Pictures
2015 - Westside: season II - Jazz Instructor - South Pacific Pictures
2018 - Funny Girls (sketch show) - Lara - Mediaworks
2015 - Jono and Ben - Sorry Parody Sketch Dancer - Mediaworks
2010 - Shortland Street - Anita Goodall - South Pacific Pictures
2008 - Power Rangers: Jungle Fury - Dr. Silvia Jennings - BVS Entertainment
2007 - Shortland Street - Polly Deaker - South Pacific Pictures
2004 - P.E.T. Detectives - Rosie - Screentime Communicado
Web-series
2024 - This Bites - Caroline (series regular) - Director - Louis Mendiola
2020 - Weirdos - Therapist - Director - Thomas Sainsbury
2017 - The Video Store - Musical Woman - Adventure Pictures
Short Film
2023 - Cold Feet - Director - Isla McLeod
2013 - Shelved - Chantal - Media & Design School
2010 - The Boat - Lauren - Director - Hans Edward Hammonds
Theatre
2024 - Children of the Sacred Valley - Dancer - Director - Lara Fischel-Chisholm & Tom Sainsbury - Dynamotion
2024 - Boot Scootin' Boogie - Dancer / Holly Day - Director - Lara Fischel-Chisholm & Tom Sainsbury - Dynamotion
2024 - Peter and the Wolf - Dancer / Cat - NZSO and Dynamotion
2024 - Carnival if the Animals - Dancer / Various - Opus Orchestra and Dynamotion
2023 - Carnival of the Animals - Dancer / Various - APO and Dynamotion
2022 - Butch Falccidy and the Fundance Kidz - Dancer / Jolene - Director - Lara Fischel-Chisholm & Tom Sainsbury - Dynamotion
2019 - Top Town - Tracey / Dancer - Director - Lara Fischel-Chisholm & Tom Sainsbury - Dynamotion
2018 - Monster Mash - Mummy / Dancer - Director - Lara Fischel-Chisholm & Tom Sainsbury - Dynamotion
2017 - D. I. S. C. O - Bibi Van der Kunt / Dancer - Director - Lara Fischel-Chisholm & Tom Sainsbury - Dynamotion
2016 - Mia Blonde in Ice Dagger - Ima Hellavich / Dancer - Director - Lara Fischel-Chisholm & Tom Sainsbury - Dynamotion
2015 - Terror Planet - Lead Dancer - - Director - Lara Fischel-Chisholm & Tom Sainsbury - Dynamotion
2015 - Terror Highway - La Ronda (lead) / Dancer - Director - Lara Fischel-Chisholm & Tom Sainsbury - Dynamotion
2015 - This Is My Real Job - Various (solo show) - Director - Nisha Madhan - Basement Theatre / The Town Centre
2014 - Terror Highway - La Ronda (lead) - Director - Lara Fischel-Chisholm & Tom Sainsbury - Dynamotion
2014 - LIES - Lara (lead) - Director - Nisha Madhan - NZ Fringe / The Town Centre
2014 - This Is My Real Job - Various (solo show) - Director - Nisha Madhan - Dunedin Fringe Festival
2013 - Terror Planet - Dancer - Director - Lara Fischel-Chisholm & Tom Sainsbury - Dynamotion
2012 - Terror Planet - Ensemble - Director - Lara Fischel-Chisholm & Tom Sainsbury - Dynamotion
2012 - Cowboy Mouth / Love It Up - Cosmic Matriarch - Director - Nisha Madhan - Snake Pit / The Town Centre
2012 - Cirque Non Sequitur - Ensemble - Director - Eve Gordon - Right Royal Cabaret Festival / Fuel Festival
2012 - Providence - Tamsin - Director - Louise Tu'u
2011 - A Krazy Kristmas - Vanessa - Basement Theatre, Dir: Prue Clarke
2011 - In Flagrante - Dancer - Director - Mary Jane O'Rielly
2011 - Love You Approximately - Lead - Director - Julienne Eason
2010 - The Christmas Monologues 2 - Donna - Basement Theatre, Dir: Thomas Sainsbury
2010 - Providence - Tamsin - Director - Louise Tu’u - Basement Theatre
2010 - TALK - Ginny - Musgrove Studio, Dir: Thomas Sainsbury
2010 - The Continental Monologues: Africa - American Paleontologist - Director - Thomas Sainsbury
2010 - The Monster Monologues: Do You Love Me - Girl - Director - Thomas Sainsbury
2010 - The Awkward Monologues: Hallo - Anke - Director - Thomas Sainsbury
2009 - The SEXY RECESSION Show - Guest Star / Holly Day - Director - Eve Gordon - TAPAC
2009 - Love You Approximately - Lead - Director - Julieanne Eason & Lucette Hindin - The Clinic NZ & Spanish Tour
2009 - The Pied Piper of Hamilton - Und Claudia / The Pieman / Facts / Councillor Svingers - Herald Theatre
2009 - Hootchy Kootchy Girls: Mambo Italiano - Betty Beau Peep - Director - Erin Basta
2008 - Hootchy Kootchy Girls Burlesque - Betty Beau Peep - Director - Erin Basta
2008 - The Mall - Yvonne / Doctor / Sharisse / Nimi - Director - Thomas Sainsbury
2005 - Miss Kitty & the Cat's Meow - Chorus / Flo - Director - Helen Barrett
Commercial (last 2 years only)
2023 - SBS Bank - NZ only
2019 - Shortland Street - Candace Edwards (recurring) - South Pacific Pictures
2015 - Westside: season II - Jazz Instructor - South Pacific Pictures
2018 - Funny Girls (sketch show) - Lara - Mediaworks
2015 - Jono and Ben - Sorry Parody Sketch Dancer - Mediaworks
2010 - Shortland Street - Anita Goodall - South Pacific Pictures
2008 - Power Rangers: Jungle Fury - Dr. Silvia Jennings - BVS Entertainment
2007 - Shortland Street - Polly Deaker - South Pacific Pictures
2004 - P.E.T. Detectives - Rosie - Screentime Communicado
Web-series
2024 - This Bites - Caroline (series regular) - Director - Louis Mendiola
2020 - Weirdos - Therapist - Director - Thomas Sainsbury
2017 - The Video Store - Musical Woman - Adventure Pictures
Short Film
2023 - Cold Feet - Director - Isla McLeod
2013 - Shelved - Chantal - Media & Design School
2010 - The Boat - Lauren - Director - Hans Edward Hammonds
Theatre
2024 - Children of the Sacred Valley - Dancer - Director - Lara Fischel-Chisholm & Tom Sainsbury - Dynamotion
2024 - Boot Scootin' Boogie - Dancer / Holly Day - Director - Lara Fischel-Chisholm & Tom Sainsbury - Dynamotion
2024 - Peter and the Wolf - Dancer / Cat - NZSO and Dynamotion
2024 - Carnival if the Animals - Dancer / Various - Opus Orchestra and Dynamotion
2023 - Carnival of the Animals - Dancer / Various - APO and Dynamotion
2022 - Butch Falccidy and the Fundance Kidz - Dancer / Jolene - Director - Lara Fischel-Chisholm & Tom Sainsbury - Dynamotion
2019 - Top Town - Tracey / Dancer - Director - Lara Fischel-Chisholm & Tom Sainsbury - Dynamotion
2018 - Monster Mash - Mummy / Dancer - Director - Lara Fischel-Chisholm & Tom Sainsbury - Dynamotion
2017 - D. I. S. C. O - Bibi Van der Kunt / Dancer - Director - Lara Fischel-Chisholm & Tom Sainsbury - Dynamotion
2016 - Mia Blonde in Ice Dagger - Ima Hellavich / Dancer - Director - Lara Fischel-Chisholm & Tom Sainsbury - Dynamotion
2015 - Terror Planet - Lead Dancer - - Director - Lara Fischel-Chisholm & Tom Sainsbury - Dynamotion
2015 - Terror Highway - La Ronda (lead) / Dancer - Director - Lara Fischel-Chisholm & Tom Sainsbury - Dynamotion
2015 - This Is My Real Job - Various (solo show) - Director - Nisha Madhan - Basement Theatre / The Town Centre
2014 - Terror Highway - La Ronda (lead) - Director - Lara Fischel-Chisholm & Tom Sainsbury - Dynamotion
2014 - LIES - Lara (lead) - Director - Nisha Madhan - NZ Fringe / The Town Centre
2014 - This Is My Real Job - Various (solo show) - Director - Nisha Madhan - Dunedin Fringe Festival
2013 - Terror Planet - Dancer - Director - Lara Fischel-Chisholm & Tom Sainsbury - Dynamotion
2012 - Terror Planet - Ensemble - Director - Lara Fischel-Chisholm & Tom Sainsbury - Dynamotion
2012 - Cowboy Mouth / Love It Up - Cosmic Matriarch - Director - Nisha Madhan - Snake Pit / The Town Centre
2012 - Cirque Non Sequitur - Ensemble - Director - Eve Gordon - Right Royal Cabaret Festival / Fuel Festival
2012 - Providence - Tamsin - Director - Louise Tu'u
2011 - A Krazy Kristmas - Vanessa - Basement Theatre, Dir: Prue Clarke
2011 - In Flagrante - Dancer - Director - Mary Jane O'Rielly
2011 - Love You Approximately - Lead - Director - Julienne Eason
2010 - The Christmas Monologues 2 - Donna - Basement Theatre, Dir: Thomas Sainsbury
2010 - Providence - Tamsin - Director - Louise Tu’u - Basement Theatre
2010 - TALK - Ginny - Musgrove Studio, Dir: Thomas Sainsbury
2010 - The Continental Monologues: Africa - American Paleontologist - Director - Thomas Sainsbury
2010 - The Monster Monologues: Do You Love Me - Girl - Director - Thomas Sainsbury
2010 - The Awkward Monologues: Hallo - Anke - Director - Thomas Sainsbury
2009 - The SEXY RECESSION Show - Guest Star / Holly Day - Director - Eve Gordon - TAPAC
2009 - Love You Approximately - Lead - Director - Julieanne Eason & Lucette Hindin - The Clinic NZ & Spanish Tour
2009 - The Pied Piper of Hamilton - Und Claudia / The Pieman / Facts / Councillor Svingers - Herald Theatre
2009 - Hootchy Kootchy Girls: Mambo Italiano - Betty Beau Peep - Director - Erin Basta
2008 - Hootchy Kootchy Girls Burlesque - Betty Beau Peep - Director - Erin Basta
2008 - The Mall - Yvonne / Doctor / Sharisse / Nimi - Director - Thomas Sainsbury
2005 - Miss Kitty & the Cat's Meow - Chorus / Flo - Director - Helen Barrett
Commercial (last 2 years only)
2023 - SBS Bank - NZ only
Training
2024 - IPA Intimacy Coordinator Training Programme (full accreditation)
2023 - Level 1 (Foundations of Consent & Intimacy) & Level 2 (Applications of Intimacy & Consent) with IDC (USA)
2004 - Post Graduate Certificate in Acting Shakespeare - Royal Academy Dramatic Art (London)
2001 - 2003 - Bachelor of Performing Arts - Unitec Performing Arts School
1998 - Associate Diploma in Speech & Drama - Trinity College (London)
1998 - Acting in Pairs - Grade 8 - Trinity College (London)
1998 - Advanced Certificate in Dance - New Zealand Academy of Modern Dance
2023 - Level 1 (Foundations of Consent & Intimacy) & Level 2 (Applications of Intimacy & Consent) with IDC (USA)
2004 - Post Graduate Certificate in Acting Shakespeare - Royal Academy Dramatic Art (London)
2001 - 2003 - Bachelor of Performing Arts - Unitec Performing Arts School
1998 - Associate Diploma in Speech & Drama - Trinity College (London)
1998 - Acting in Pairs - Grade 8 - Trinity College (London)
1998 - Advanced Certificate in Dance - New Zealand Academy of Modern Dance
Awards
2014 - Nomination - Most Original Show - This Is My Real Job - Dunedin Fringe Festival
2014 - Nomination - Most Outstanding Performer - This Is My Real Job - Dunedin Fringe Festival
2014 - Spirit of the Fringe Award Winner - As Choreographer for The Wet Hot Beauties - Auckland Fringe Festival
2013 - People’s Choice Award Winner - As Choreographer for The Wet Hot Beauties - Auckland Fringe Festival
2013 - Best Animated Short Film - Shelved - New York International Film Festival
2013 - Best Animated Film - Shelved - Los Angeles Movie Awards
2013 - Best Animated Characters - Shelved - Los Angeles Movie Awards
2012 - Best Dancing in a Play - Terror Island - Hackman Theatre Awards
2011 - Best Weapon of the Year - In Flagrante - Hackman Theatre Awards
2010 - Best of Theatre - Providence - NZ Herald Theatre Awards
2014 - Nomination - Most Outstanding Performer - This Is My Real Job - Dunedin Fringe Festival
2014 - Spirit of the Fringe Award Winner - As Choreographer for The Wet Hot Beauties - Auckland Fringe Festival
2013 - People’s Choice Award Winner - As Choreographer for The Wet Hot Beauties - Auckland Fringe Festival
2013 - Best Animated Short Film - Shelved - New York International Film Festival
2013 - Best Animated Film - Shelved - Los Angeles Movie Awards
2013 - Best Animated Characters - Shelved - Los Angeles Movie Awards
2012 - Best Dancing in a Play - Terror Island - Hackman Theatre Awards
2011 - Best Weapon of the Year - In Flagrante - Hackman Theatre Awards
2010 - Best of Theatre - Providence - NZ Herald Theatre Awards
Skills
Dancer
Accents - American, Australian
Accents - American, Australian