Matthew Scadden is seldom short of something to say about anything.
But when it comes to explaining how he feels about being selected to perform at the Globe Theatre in London, the Shakespearean actor is uncharacteristically lost for words.
The 18-year-old former Logan Park High School pupil is one of 24 Shakespearean actors from across the country selected for the Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand 2014 Young Shakespeare Company.
He will spend three weeks at the Globe Theatre in July, where he will receive tuition from directors before performing in Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar.
''Performing at the Globe, in some respects, is the pinnacle of Shakespearean acting.
''I was talking to my drama teacher about it, and she said there were people who ushered at the Globe Theatre just to be in that environment.
''So, from the point of view of developing as an actor, it's working with some of the top directors in the world at one of the top theatres in the world - it's a place which is steeped in so much history ...
''It's hard to describe how I feel about going there.''
Mr Scadden was surprised by his selection after competing in the SGCNZ national Shakespeare schools' production last year.
''I never expected to get this far. It was the first time I entered the national schools' production, so I didn't even know this was a possibility for me.
''It's an unbelievable opportunity. It's awesome.''
Mr Scadden is studying first-year politics and music at the University of Otago this year.
But after winning the trip to the Globe Theatre, he is thinking more seriously about turning his skill in Shakespearean theatre into a career.
''Acting is my real passion, but I don't want to narrow in on it too fast.
''I'm keeping my options open and possibly keeping some bread and butter options available as well, just in case it doesn't work out.''
Mr Scadden will spend the next two months raising the $9000 needed for the heavily subsidised trip.
