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Bachelor of Performing Arts (Acting) #mytoistory starts here Acting Toi Whakaari New Zealand Drama School 2019
Bachelor of Performing Arts (Acting)
#mytoistory starts here
Acting
Toi WhakaariNew Zealand Drama School
2019
Bachelor of Performing Arts (Acting)
The Bachelor of Performing Arts (Acting) is a three year intensive degree programme that is designed to train a Responsive Actor. This is an actor who has the courage, skill and flexibility to meet any opportunity as they build a career in the arts.
As an actor in training at Toi Whakaari you will work across screen and live performance in class, studio and realised productions. You will work solo, in ensemble and in collaboration with other training artists in Design, Costume, Management and Set & Props.
“I reference my training at Toi constantly. The Acting course gave me confidence, technique and stamina that have served me on every set and in every rehearsal or audition room I have walked into.”
Brooke Williams Acting Graduate 200612 Monkeys (SyFy Channel), The Shannara Chronicles (MTV), Juliet in Romeo & Juliet (ATC)
Toi Whakaari has been developing innovative and intuitive stage and screen professionals for nearly 50 years
Left: 2nd year actors Tess Sullivan and Conor Cameron in the 2016 production Caucus, Caucus, Harvest, Dawn (devised and co-directed by Patrick Carroll, Aaron Cortesi, Christian Penny and Jonathan Price)
“It’s not a ‘student’ school. It’s a nuts and bolts, nitty gritty, get dirty and get connected to the reality of the job kind of place. Through the way the school practices, you gain skills in communication, articulation, self-motivation, passion, collaboration and solid technical skills: you come out equipped to carve out a career unique to you.”
Victoria Abbott Acting Graduate 2011Top of the Lake (BBC/Sundance), American Playboy: The Hugh Hefner Story (Amazon), All Your Wants and Needs Fulfilled Forever (People’s Choice and Critics Award - Auckland Theatre Awards)
2nd year actor Marshayla Christie-Finlay and ensemble in the 2017 production of Once on This Island (directed
by Jon Hunter, Musical Director: Mark W. Dorrell). Set designed by 3rd year designer Olivia Bayne, costumes
designed by 3rd year designer Simone Wiseman.
“I graduated with strong professional relationships with some of the most important leading figures in the industry, an intensive and rigorous training and an extensive network of fellow collaborators who trained beside me and who I still choose to work with five years later.”
Chris Parker Acting Graduate 2011Hudson and Halls Live! (ATC), No More Dancing in the Good Room (Q Theatre), Funny Girls (TV3)
The Course
Our actor training is built around the concept of Tūrangawaewae — developing your individual and unique place to stand as an actor and artist.
The first year, Tūranga, is focused on you, the individual, freeing habitual patterns and building foundational skill. In concentrated blocks you will work with leading professionals and teachers to build your vocal, movement and imaginative fluency and develop your craft in screen and live performance. In the second half of the year you will work on a classic text for performance and create your own Solo to perform to live audiences.
The second year, Raranga, challenges you to bring and weave your individual skills within the collective, the ensemble and towards collaborative projects. Alongside training you will be part of three major live and screen productions and have the opportunity to be part of masterclasses that will extend your craft in areas you choose.
The third year, Waewae, is about growing your independence and connecting you more to the industry. You will be part of Toi Film, a live performance production and industry workshops, as well as developing, curating and showcasing your own work inside and outside the school.
Right: 3rd year actor Christel Chapman in 2014 Toi Film “Carcass” (directed by Louis Sutherland, costume design by 3rd year designer Marama Beamish, art direction by 3rd year designer Rosie Remmerswaal)
“Toi has given me the foundation, from which I begin all of my work. It taught me to stay curious, back myself and always strive for better.”
Jayden Daniels Acting Graduate 2014Shortland Street (TVNZ/SPP); The New Legends of Monkey (TVNZ/ABC/Netflix)
“At Toi Whakaari I found a community that has defined my professional life. The artists I met while I was studying continue to be my most valued collaborators who inspire me in profound and surprising ways over a decade later.”
Sophie Roberts Acting Graduate 2007Artistic Director — Silo Theatre, Most Promising Female Newcomer — Wellington Theatre Awards 2009, Most Promising New Director — Wellington Theatre Awards 2008
2nd year actors in the 2016 production of Caucus, Caucus, Harvest, Dawn (devised and co-directed by Patrick Carroll, Aaron Cortesi, Christian Penny and Jonathan Price; designed by 3rd year designer Ivo Deliyski)
Criteria
We’re looking for people who are ready to train — people who have a desire to work and learn by investing in their craft, engaging in rigorous training and have an openness to challenge what they know already. We want actors who are interested in how to collaborate across disciplines, work within groups of people and build their ability to work independently.
There is no requirement to have had prior acting experience and there are no academic or physical requirements beyond a good level of health and fitness.
Successful applicants must be at least 18 years of age by the first day of Term 1 (Monday 18th of February 2019) and we welcome older applicants.
Audition Process
All applicants will attend a three hour audition workshop with several Toi Acting graduates. This is a craft-filled and active workshop and you will be on the floor working and learning across the three hours. A senior Toi Whakaari Acting tutor will also be present at different points across the workshop.
If you successfully move to the next phase of the audition process you will attend Applicants Weekend at Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School in Wellington. This is a three day intensive where you will work with all acting tutors in a wide range of environments including screen and live performance.
Apply Now
For more information and to find out how to apply, check out our website toiwhakaari.ac.nz/acting
Applications for entry in 2019 close on Friday 17th of August 2018.
“The most significant taonga I received from my time at Toi Whakaari were the relationships forged with my peers, my tutors, the alumni and the wider performing arts community. The people I met through Te Kura Toi Whakaari ō Aotearoa: The New Zealand Drama School are a big reason why I’m still in the game and loving it. Mauri ora!”
Matariki Whatarau Acting Graduate 2009The Dead Lands, Mahana, Find Me a Maori Bride (Maori TV), Modern Māori Quartet
2018 Calendar
2019 Courses
Bachelor of Performing Arts (Acting)
NZ Diploma in Costume Construction
Bachelor of Design (Stage and Screen)
Bachelor of Performing Arts (Management)
NZ Diploma in Scenic Construction and Properties
Ruku Ao Leadership Development
Staff
Christian Penny (Director)
Tamara Aluwihare
Craig Atkins
Francis Gallop
Jon Hunter
Chris Jannides
Fe’ao Katoa
Brian King
Toby Papazoglou
Emma Ransley
Dan Slevin
Kaarin Slevin
Vaughan Slinn
Heather Timms
Tony Toufexis
Kris Wehipeihana
Board of Trustees
Tim Walker (Chair)
Simon Bennett
Briony Ellis
John Fokerd
Student Representative
Christian Penny
Whetu Silver
Academic Board
Prof Brad Jackson (Chair)
Craig Atkins
Simon Bennett
Student Representative
Jacqui Coats
Chris Jannides
Brian King
Dr Suzanne Little
Christian Penny
Heather Timms
27 AprilApplications for all courses open
12-21 JuneThe Visit by Friedrich Dürrenmatt Directed by Danny Mulheron.A wealthy woman returns to her impoverished home town to strike a dreadful bargain.
12-21 JuneThe Wolves by Sarah DeLappeDirected by Stella Reid.Finalist for the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, an off-Broadway sensation.
23 JuneOff-shore international applications close for 2019(all courses)
16-20 JulyOpen WeekGet a taste of life at Toi
17 AugustActing applications close for 2019(domestic and on-shore international applicants)
28-30 AugustFoWiD18 (Festival of Work in Development)Toi students and graduates engaging with screen and live performance projects in development
31 AugustWellington Tertiary Institutions’ Open Day
1-16 SeptemberNational Acting Audition Tour
21 & 22 September2018 Costume ShowcaseOur annual showcase featuring major works of our graduating costumiers and more
28 SeptemberManagement, Costume, Design and Set & Props applications close for 2019 (domestic and on-shore international applicants)
25 October – 4 NovemberTwo Gentlemen of Verona by William Shakespeare Directed by Jacqui Coats
30 October – 4 NovemberSolosFirst year actors make their Toi Whakaari debut in work they have devised themselves
2-4 NovemberApplicants Weekend
7-9 NovemberDesign ExhibitionOur annual Design event – graduating designers exhibit their work as emerging practitioners
13 NovemberToi Film 2018 Premiere
14 NovemberGraduation Ceremony
2019
22-25 JanuarySummer workshops and masterclasses (inc. Summer Intensive for young actors)
At Toi Whakaari, we value:
Insight: Artists see. They see the situation. They see the challenge. They see what they need to change; both in themselves and in their approach to that challenge.
Gifting/Manaaki: We see artists as gift givers. It’s the contribution that counts, not the scale. It’s the act of gifting that counts, not the position from which the gift is given.
Completion: Getting tasks done on time, meeting our commitments as agreed, to the highest standard achievable, is essential in an industry where each practitioner depends on the work of others.
Sustainability: It is the ability to keep contributing that counts. We develop and implement systems that enable our teaching, delivery and learning to be ongoing and life-giving.
Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini My strength is not mine alone, it comes from the collective/group
Ko ia kāhore nei i rapu, tē kitea He who does not seek, will not find
Toi Whakaari was New Zealand’s first drama school and is the leading educator of screen, stage and event professionals in the country.
Toi Whakaari aspires to be one of the great performing arts schools of the world while developing a teaching practice that is uniquely New Zealand.
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Te Whaea: National Dance & Drama Centre11 Hutchison Road, NewtownWellington, New Zealand
PO BOX 7146, NewtownWellington 6242
Phone +64 4 381 9251
[email protected] us @toiwhakaari
Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School is a Registered Charity — CC20345
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