Brady Peeti
Brady Peeti (Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngāti Maniapoto) is a pioneering performer across stage and screen.
Brady’s portrayal of prostitute Lucy Harris in the 1990 musical adaption of Jekyll & Hyde at the Hayes Theatre in Sydney saw her become the first Australasian trans actress to play a leading role – and garnered rave reviews. A passionate advocate for the casting of trans performers and the visibility of trans people, Brady worked with TMH Management as an agent tasked with initiating, promoting, and supporting the careers of exceptional transgender actors. In 2019, Brady won the Outstanding Newcomer Award at the Auckland Theatre Awards, something she dedicated to the mentorship she receives as a member of the kaupapa Māori troupe from indigenous theatre, Te Pou.
What does leadership look like to you?
Brady: Leadership to me, is a superpower! It is about acquiring all the knowledge and skills necessary and focusing it directly on your chosen community and simply serving to the best of your ability. It gives you the clarity needed and a responsibility to ensure that you not only serve your community with the utmost integrity, but you support those coming behind you to ensure that the work continues to flourish. When you can really hone the skills needed, you can truly champion your community making you a badass superhero.
How does your community show up in your practice?
Brady: Everything I do is to enhance the visibility and growth of trans women of colour. I am blessed to have such a beautiful community of sisters who have elevated me to the whakawahine I am today and so to give back to our communities is a given. I always lead with two things whenever I approach a new endeavour: will it make my parents proud? Will it elevate my community? If I can tick those two boxes then I go for it with a whole lot of class and a tonne of sass!
