A new approach to actor training in New Zealand

New Zealand’s aspiring actors are being offered a foot in the door of their chosen profession by some of the nation’s leading performers and teachers.

The curtain is up on a new, independent, and privately run, acting course. Respected professionals Sara Wiseman, Michael Hurst, Jennifer Ward-Lealand, Michele Hine, Cameron Rhodes, John Callen and Charlie McDermott  lead a rigorous, practice-based year-long course aimed at developing and deepening skills specifically for stage and screen.

The Actors’ Program concentrates on providing actors with the tools they need to be effective practitioners in the challenging and exciting world of stage and screen. The course is unique in its approach to actor training in New Zealand:

• The year-long course operates four days per week. Students are both emerging and established actors wishing to further develop and deepen their craft. Only a small number of talented and committed students are selected.
• The program is free from academic outcome, or written theoretical constraints.
• Everything our students do works towards performance on stage or on screen.
• Tutors are working professionals teaching realistic and practical skills.
• Students learn from the inside out how the industry works and what is expected of actors.

A maximum of 16 students are selected each year with a minimum age of 20 years. Selection is on the basis of talent and potential. Successful applicants must have the maturity and emotional capacity to cope with the demands of intensive training, and the potential to succeed as professional actors.