Michele A’Court
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Profile
Headshot #1 by Kate Little
Headshot #1 by Kate Little
Acting
Skills
Acting Experience
Television
South Pacific Pictures Ltd Dir: John Laing
Two Heads TV Production Dir: Josh Thomson
South Pacific Pictures Ltd
South Pacific Pictures Ltd
Theatre
Volcanic Island Ltd- NZ Tour
Television Appearances
Diva Productions
Mediaworks
TVNZ
Prod: Jon Bridges Dir: Nigel Carpenter
Hunter Productions Dir: Keith Hunter
TVNZ
Voice Work
NZ
Stand Up Comedy
Satellite Media
Phoenix Television
Phoenix Television
MC / Speaker
MC / Speaker
Skills
Actor, After Dinner Speaker, Comedian, MC, SatiristBiography
Winner of “Female Comedian of the Decade” at the 2010 NZ Comedy Guild Awards, Michèle A’Court is a stand-up comedian, writer, social commentator and corporate MC. She has been working as an after-dinner speaker, event host and conference MC for more than 20 years and is highly sought after for in-person, online and hybrid events.
Originally trained as a journalist, Michele has written two bestselling books: “Stuff I Forgot To Tell My Daughter” (2015) and “How We Met” (2018), both published by Harper Collins. She has been an opinion writer since 2008 and currently writes a weekly column for the NZ Woman’s Weekly.
Michèle is a frequent voice on RNZ National’s “Nine to Noon” and “The Panel” and was a regular guest host on Three’s primetime show “The Project”. She has made regular appearances on the hit comedy show “7Days” since it began in 2009.
Michele first came to New Zealand’s attention 30 years ago as a host of What Now and then The Video Dispatch.
Her international experience as a stand-up comedian includes work in the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia, Papua New Guinea and East Timor. In October 2015 she was presented with the Reilly Comedy Award by the Variety Artists Club of NZ for achieving excellence in the field of comedy.
Michèle is Patron of “The Aunties” Trust, a grassroots charity for women and children in need. She is also Patron of the Moving & Handling Association of NZ (MHANZ) which cares for carers in the health sector, and she is an Ambassador for Breast Cancer Cure. Michèle is a proud member of Actors’ Equity, and a Life Member of the NZ Comedy Guild.
Check out Michele’s TedTalk ‘Hey Ladies: Speak Up!’ here + an interview from ‘The Cafe’ here
Testimonials
"Michele was invited to MC our launch of Maranga Mai, a new whole-of-union NZNO campaign. Although the event was held online, the purpose was to energise members and inspire them to become more active in our campaigns. Michele was lively and engaging throughout the entire 1.5 hours of the launch, working professionally with the limitations of zoom and online interactions. She was well-researched and compassionate to our struggles with understaffing and the systemic undervaluing of the nursing workforce. Best of all, she made our leaders look great! Michelle was a pleasure to work with, professional throughout the whole process and surpassed all expectations. Many thanks Michele for helping to inspire and mobilise our members for Maranga Mai!"
Iain Lees-Galloway, NZNO Associate Industrial Services Manager, 2022
“Michele was GREAT! She fitted in so wonderfully. Michele was so warm and positive with everyone involved in the event and really helped what at times was quite a high pressure situation. So Michele was great to have around in the same room for three days! Her MC-ing was also very high quality and her comments completely appropriate for the subject and audience. Michele had really great energy about her. We have had really positive feedback - she was incredibly popular with the audience. Thank you Michele!”
Philanthropy NZ – Summit MC – May 2021
Firstly, I’d like to extend a massive and slightly belated thank you for your contribution to the Women in Leadership Summit 2019. Without your generosity, honesty and courage it simply would not have been the success that it was. The overall event feedback has been outstanding, and it seems the mix of personal insights, organisational accountability and business case studies were very well received by the audience. Well done! “"Breath of fresh air" - Loved her courage, her different approach to break convention. She is truly challenging the status quo.”
Paul Mumme, The Leadership Institute, 2019
"Very professional yet warm and engaging. We would not hesitate to recommend Michele or use her again as an MC in the future. Michele A'Court was the consummate professional - she listened to and delivered on the brief and was an engaging and humorous MC for our Awards. We would not hesitate to use her again and recommend her to colleagues.”