Meredith Braun

Meredith Braun (born 1973) is a New Zealand actress and singer. She began her career as a child actress in her native New Zealand before relocating to the UK and starring in a number of West End musicals and touring productions.

Early life As a child in Remuera, Auckland, Braun appeared in numerous stage productions plus occasional television shows (The Haunting of Barney Palmer) and advertisements.

Her mother studied at the Royal College of Music in the 1950s and at the age of 16 Braun moved from New Zealand to London. In 1989, Braun earned a place at London's prestigious Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts.

Career She began her West End career six months later with a lead role in short-lived musical Bernadette at the Dominion Theatre. and Killing Rasputin. Between 2000 and 2001, Braun starred as Lily in the RSC's production of The Secret Garden at both the Theatre Royal Stratford and the Aldwych Theatre, London.

Between 1995 and 1997, Braun returned home to her native Auckland, landing numerous roles in one of New Zealand's leading professional theatre companies, the Auckland Theatre Company. She came with the prestige as one of the starring names within New Zealand's theatre industry at the time.

Braun also appeared as Belle in Disney's 1992 holiday film The Muppet Christmas Carol opposite Michael Caine and the cast of The Muppets, and has done a number of television roles in the United Kingdom.

After a ten-year absence from performing, Braun released her debut solo album Someone Else's Story in 2012 - a mix of contemporary show songs and classical crossover material. The album features musical direction and arrangements by Paul Bateman (musical director for Sarah Brightman and Lesley Garrett), and was released on Stage Door Records on March 26, 2012.

Braun is currently the course director for The University of Chichester Conservatoire's BA (Hons) Musical Theatre (Music) Course, having previously been a lecturer for Musical Theatre Triple Threat course.

Filmography Film and television

Personal life Braun has three children by her first husband, musical director David White, twins born 1997–1998, and a son, Tiger Braun-White, a cellist, born 2003–2004. Her second husband, Bill Rea, is a marine architect.