Rotorua actor in footsteps of De Niro and Jolie

Rotorua's Ryan Christensen is Broadway-bound after he was accepted to study at one of the world's most prestigious acting schools.

The 23-year-old will leave in three weeks to study at New York's Lee Strasberg Film & Theatre Institute - considered the home of method acting.

The institute's impressive list of alumni includes Marilyn Monroe, Scarlett Johansson, Robert De Niro and Angelina Jolie. Christensen, a former Rotorua Lakes High School student, said it "still hadn't quite sunk in" that he had made it in, after a four-month application process.

"My agent in Auckland gave me the pamphlets and said have a look at this ... so I gave it a shot and applied," he said. "I sent away my application with letters of recommendation and my acting CV and photos. They came back and said please perform a scene for the camera which I did then I had a Skype interview at 3.30am."

Christensen will study method acting, created by the institute's founder Lee Strasberg, as well as musical theatre, improvisation, voice and acting on camera. "I am ecstatic, it will be so much fun just being in the thick of it on Broadway," he said.

"I want to absorb as much as I can and go to as many shows as I can and meet like-minded people."

Although admitting to a few nerves - he's never travelled further than Australia before - he is determined to pack as much as possible into his three months in New York. "I am going to try and get into some dance classes as well, in contemporary and hip hop. I want to make the most of my short amount of time there."

Christensen has performed in five Rotorua Musical Theatre productions since his debut as Dog in Footrot Flats as a 15-year-old, last year starring as Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors. He is currently based in Auckland performing in a children's musical, his first professional gig.

"I love musical theatre but I am trying to move into more serious TV and film," he said. "I will get some experience and training then come back to New Zealand and audition for films and TV."

Learning from the best doesn't come cheap - tuition alone will cost him $7000.

"With accommodation and flights you're looking at over $15,000 but it will be worth it."

Christensen has applied for a Creative Arts Council grant and the Rotorua Musical Theatre is holding a special members' night fundraiser for him at the Casa Blanca Theatre on September 1.