The camp character doesn't bother Ivan, even though he knows he could well cop some flak at school.
"That's stupid, because I'm playing a role ... I mean it's not the real me. I'm really enjoying playing Mr Humphries. I'm still a bit amazed that I was cast ... well it's the age thing. And really it doesn't matter that everyone in the play is much older than me. I'm having a great time."
In the 1970s, despite initial reluctance from the BBC to include a camp character like Mr Humphries, the series went on to become a huge hit.
And for the "mummy's boy", Mr Wilberforce Claybourne Humphries, actor John Inman developed the characteristic limp-wristed, mincing walk, and the high-pitched catchphrase, "I'm free!".
Director Glen Cameron said there simply wasn't anyone at the audition who could have played the role.
"I cast Ivan because he's a very talented young chap and I knew him. Since he was first "discovered" at Tawhero School by Mr Cameron, Ivan's life revolves around theatre and performance ... and passing his final NCEA levels at school this year.
He remembers making a deal with another boy in his class at Tawhero School to audition for the school play, Noah, directed by Mr Cameron.
"Well, we decided we might as well, and if we didn't get in ... well, we tried."
Ivan was called back and offered the lead role of Noah.
He admits he was hooked from then on.
It's such a great world working in theatre, it's creative, you make so many new friends and it becomes like another family really.
With rehearsals on the final run in until opening night, Ivan said he's not too fazed at all.
No problem of him knowing his lines because Ivan has learned the entire play ... he knows everyone's lines.
"Well, if I just knew my own I would probably miss some of my cues so I find easier to know everyone's lines."
At the same time Ivan is also rehearsing an excerpt from A Midsummer Night's Dream for the Sheila Winn School Shakespeare Competition at Wanganui Collegiate School and competes the day after the play closes on March 31.
Together with his year 13 studies including classics, English, drama, history of England and Performing Arts Academy, he has every spare minute accounted for.
He's already practising with the school choir for a week-long June trip to Sydney, where they will sing on the stage of the Sydney Opera House.
And as soon as he gets back he will audition for the musical West Side Story for Amdram.
Though he had his heart set on applying to Toi Whakaari (NZ drama school) next year he was told he needed more life experience.
"So my plan for next year is to move around a bit and see a bit of life first ... just do things, I suppose."
