PROSPECTUS DIRECTOR’S NOTE

E ngā korokoro tūi, e ngā kākā tarahae tēnā tātou katoa!

On behalf of our Board, the staff and students of Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School – welcome!

This Prospectus contains all the information you need to learn about the world-class programmes on offer at Toi Whakaari.

If you are interested in a career within the performing arts, Toi Whakaari is a great place to start: acting, stage and set design, set and props making, arts management, and costume – it’s all here.

Nau mai haere mai ki te Kura Toi Whakaari o Aotearoa!

Hope to meet you soon,

Tanea Heke Director Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School

SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY CONTENT

The philosophy and purpose of Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama Director’s Note/School Philosophy 1 School is simple: We’re opening up the future potential The School 2 of the performing arts.

Acting 4 As New Zealand’s longest running provider of training in the performing arts, Toi Whakaari is committed Costume 6 to teaching in a way that prepares our graduates by developing skills in leadership, collaboration, and Design 8 community building. Our goal is to strengthen the Set & Props 10 artistry of all who come here.

Management 12 When looking back over the last 50 years that Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School has been operating, Living in 14 we’re proud to have taught and worked with some of the top talent within the performing arts industry, International Students 16 and we’re looking forward to seeing who and what Student Support 18 the next 50 years will bring us! Prospectus photos by ©Philip Merry Ngā mihi. How to Apply 20 The testimonials in this prospectus are not necessarily provided by the people shown in the photos. More Information 21 THE SCHOOL

Our mission is to provide the highest quality learning experience for our students. It is important for our students and staff to embrace Tikanga (Māori process) as an essential element in the life of our school. Over the years Toi Whakaari has built on this commitment, consistently looking for processes and structures in which we can recognise a uniquely New Zealand drama school, and stay true to our commitment to provide a learning environment that celebrates greatness in all its forms.

Toi Whakaari is diverse, inclusive, and proud of the longstanding history we have with the city and the people of Wellington.

2 3 ABOUT: The Bachelor of Performing Arts (Acting) is a three-year intensive degree designed to train a Responsive Actor. Students work with leading professionals and teachers building vocal, ACTING movement, and imaginative fluency while developing their craft for screen and live performance. From inspiration to collaboration, this programme will open up avenues for the student who has the courage, skill, and flexibility to meet any opportunity as they build a career in the arts. Students work solo, in an ensemble, and are “Toi helped me discover my voice. encouraged to collaborate with other training Strengths. Weaknesses. My Value!” artists in our Design, Costume, Management, and Set & Props Construction programmes.

Alex Tarrant (Acting Graduate 2012) Toi Whakaari’s actor training is built around tūrangawaewae – a Māori term meaning, in this 800 Words (Seven Network), Filthy Rich instance, the developing of your individual and (TV One NZ) and Tātou (BBC) unique place to stand as an actor and as an artist. As an actor training at Toi Whakaari, you will work across screen and live performance in class, studio, and productions. COURSE CONTENT

YEAR ONE The first year, Tūranga, is focused on you, the individual, freeing habitual patterns and building foundational skills. • Craft Training; Voice, Movement & Imagination • Screen Labs • Scene Study • Acting Blocks; Stage & Screen • Text Lab • Solos

YEAR TWO The second year, Raranga, challenges you to bring and weave your individual skills. • Craft Training; Voice, Movement & Imagination • Imagination • Screen Labs & Audition Practice • On Set Screen Acting Project • Classic Text Schools Tour • Masterclasses • Professional Stage Production APPLICATION PROCESS: The audition process is YEAR THREE made up of two phases: The first phase is an active workshop, with potential students participating in a The third year, Waewae, is about growing your three-hour craft filled session led by Toi Whakaari independence and connecting you more to the acting graduates with senior acting tutors present. industry. If selected from phase one, successful applicants • Audition Practice & Self Taping will then be invited to our Applicants’ Weekend at • Professional Short Film Toi Whakaari for a three-day intensive where you will • Professional Stage Production work with all acting tutors in various environments, • Industry Workshops including screen and live performance. • Mentored independent training & projects https://toiwhakaari.ac.nz/acting/how-to-apply/

toiwhakaari.ac.nz/acting 5 ABOUT: The Diploma is a full-time, two year, vocational and highly practical course covering all aspects of costume work. Costume students are actively involved in most shows, films and COSTUME performance events at Toi Whakaari, and also have the opportunity to collaborate with the New Zealand School of Dance on their major performances. The second year of the course requires students to undertake industry secondments in their particular area of interest with professional performing arts companies. Graduating costumiers present their work in our annual Costume Showcase.

COURSE CONTENT “The costume course enabled me to refine my skills and gain YEAR ONE experience in multiple roles • Core Sewing Technique giving me confidence in my • Flat Pattern-Making ability to adapt to any job.” • Millinery, Costume Props and Accessories • Costume construction for productions Tessa Paaymans and events (Costume Graduate 2015) • Costume Design Process Contractor – , • Costume History Costume Designer – Festival Opera • Costume Dyeing, Printing and Finishing ® NZ, Garment Technician – WOW ; • Costume Textiles and Technology presented a collection at New York • Context and Practice Fashion Week 2015 YEAR TWO • Advanced Millinery • Costume for Dance APPLICATION PROCESS: Costume Construction • Corsetry and Undergarments students must be 18 years of age by the first day • Leather, Worbla and EVA foam of Term 1 in their first year of study. There is no • Tailoring upper age limit. Applications are invited from • Costume construction for productions candidates of all backgrounds, with or without prior and events costume experience. Entry to the NZ Diploma in • Costume Workshop Management Costume Construction is by portfolio and interview. • Independent Research Project (Major Work) For application information, check out the • Industry Secondment Costume ‘How to Apply’ page on our website www.toiwhakaari.ac.nz/costume/how-to-apply/

toiwhakaari.ac.nz/costume 7 Hero image by ©Stephen A’Court ABOUT: The Bachelor of Design (Stage & Screen) is a three-year programme that positions the designer as a central collaborator in the creation of any live or DESIGN screen production. This cutting-edge course offers an exciting, alternative pathway towards the creation of visually extraordinary work for theatre, film, video, and live art. It emphasises highly practical learning through experimentation and risk-taking approaches. “Some of our best people have come You will be guided to critically explore and challenge from Toi Whakaari. The tutors, the conventional boundaries between disciplines through educational process, the inspiration a range of studio based and collaborative projects; within the four walls of that building whether that be as the set or costume designer, have guaranteed that those people audio visual or lighting designer, live art maker, site that join us are thinking with passion, specific or event designer. with enthusiasm; they come with tenacity and of course they also come armed with talent.” Sir Richard Taylor – Creative Director COURSE CONTENT Weta Workshop, Co-founder – , Multiple Oscar™ Winner YEAR ONE • Practical Design Skills: Drawing, Model Making and Computer aided programs • Develop Basic film making skills and work as art department on a Music Video • Conceptual Studio based projects: costume design for film, working with script to design a live production • Cross-disciplinary projects that focus on collaboration and developing a critical language for performance.

YEAR TWO • Cross-disciplinary experimental film making project • Internship of your choice to professional companies and practitioners • Practical Design Skills II: Drawing, On- set film and live production (including exhibition and event design) experience. • Conceptual Studio based project: Film APPLICATION PROCESS: Students applying for design and Site-specific event design. Toi Whakaari’s Bachelor of Design (Stage and • Independent Practice proposal outlining Screen) must be 18 years old by the first day of Year 3 trajectory the Academic Year. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply, with or without prior film, YEAR THREE theatre or design experience. • Lead designer on live or film production There is no upper age limit; entry to the course is • Independent Practice Project determined by portfolio, workshop, and interview. • Professional Practice: Internship For application information, check out the Design ‘How to Apply’ page on our website • Graduation Exhibition www.toiwhakaari.ac.nz/design/how-to-apply/

toiwhakaari.ac.nz/design 9 ABOUT: The NZ Diploma in Scenic Construction and Properties (Set & Props) is the only tertiary course in New Zealand that specialises in set & prop SET & PROPS construction for stage and screen. The diploma is a full-time, two-year intensive and vocational course that provides students with skills in all areas of set and prop making, leading to employment in film, theatre, events, and allied industries. Our students are actively engaged in film and performance projects at Toi Whakaari, and will also participate in citywide projects with our creative partners outside of the school. The course is delivered by specialist staff, with additional expert support from visiting professionals. The programme and its students benefit from established industry links with key players in Aotearoa’s thriving production sector.

COURSE CONTENT

YEAR ONE • Assistant / deputy roles on set and props construction for productions and events • Core props making techniques • Core carpentry skills “Toi Whakaari enhanced my creative ability • Core metal fabrication skills and problem solving skills, giving me the • Core scenic art techniques confidence to pursue my chosen career” • Introduction to specialist materials Lotte van Ginkel Toi Whakaari Student 2019 • Project planning and costing • Drawing and CAD skills • Core interpretation skills • Context and Practice APPLICATION PROCESS: Successful applicants to the course typically have practical experience of YEAR TWO testing and making three dimensional work. They are • Lead roles on set and props construction adaptable problem solvers who enjoy working in a for productions and events team. Whilst experience of working in a performing • Elective advanced construction arts context is valuable, it is not a requirement. and finishing skills Entry to this course is by portfolio, workshop, and • Major project interview. For application information, check out the • Industry secondment Set & Props ‘How to Apply’ page on our website • Set and Props and workshop management www.toiwhakaari.ac.nz/set-props/set-props-apply/

toiwhakaari.ac.nz/set-props 11 MANAGEMENT

ABOUT: This course covers management practice in production areas of events, live performance, and screen. It is about active integrated management. Performing arts managers are leaders of teams and initiators of process. Graduates of the Bachelor of Performing Arts (Management) programme are collaborative practitioners with highly developed interpersonal skills. They can adapt to a variety of contexts and transfer their practice across different sectors of the creative and performing arts industries.

“Toi Whakaari challenged me and gave me the space to develop the skills I would need to form a career in the industry. Toi has a unique position where it is a learning institute COURSE CONTENT and is part of the industry. It gave me the platform to enter the industry as a practitioner.” YEAR ONE Alexander Borgers (Management Graduate 2013) • Performance Technologies I Travel and Accommodation Coordinator – Pork Pie (Four Knights Films), • Performing Arts Management I Post-production Assistant — The Dark Horse (Four Knights Films), • Production Practice I Production Coördinator — Everything We Loved (Four Knights Films), • Context and Practice I Assistant Stage Manager — BBC Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular (New Zealand Festival)

YEAR TWO • Performance Technologies II • Performing Arts Management II APPLICATION PROCESS: Applicants don’t need to • Production Practice II have any previous experience within the performing • Industry Experience II (Internship) arts. Students must be 18 when starting study at Toi Whakaari, there is no upper age limit. Our students are ambitious self-starters who take a YEAR THREE mature and independent approach to their studies. • Performing Arts Management III For application information, check out the • Production Practice III Management ‘How to Apply’ page on our website • Industry Experience III (Internship) www.toiwhakaari.ac.nz/management/how-to-apply/

toiwhakaari.ac.nz/management 13 When living in Wellington, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in the art and creativity on LIVING IN offer all around you. Art galleries, theatres, parks, cafes, restaurants, film, live events, and much more. As the School is located close to central Wellington, all of this can be accessed easily, by bus, taxi, Uber, bicycle, WELLINGTON or just walking! Wellington is also known as “Wellywood” as it is home to Sir ’s Weta Group of Companies. One of these is , the post-production location for The Located in New Zealand’s “Coolest Little Lord of the Rings trilogy, the Hobbit movies, Capital in the World” Toi Whakaari is proud to King Kong, and many more. The Wellington have called Wellington, New Zealand home for International Film Festival and the NZ Arts the past 50 years. Wellington is a beautiful city Festival are also hosted by the capital city. that has become a hub of creativity with many Wellington sits on a stunning natural harbour artists living and thriving here in the capital city. tucked in amongst the hills and native bush and, as it’s a small city, it is ideal for pedestrians. Named the world’s most liveable city in 2017 and 2018 in a Quality of Life ranking from Deutsche Bank.

Wellington is home to BATS theatre, Circa, Weta Workshop, Miramar Creative and many other production companies.

You’re surrounded by culture in Wellington, which boasts New Zealand’s national museum and art gallery, Te Papa Tongarewa, the City Gallery, and the Museum of Wellington City and Sea. When taking a stroll around the city or harbour, you will find quirky art installations, sculptures, and plenty of creative flair; Wellington is also the home to the World of Wearable Art show (WOW).

You’ll find that Wellington’s climate is moderate with recognisable differences in the summer and winter seasons. We do get some wind here, as it’s a marine climate and we’re positioned at the bottom of the North Island at the Cook Strait.

14 15 Toi Whakaari encourages applications from international students, and in recent years we have welcomed students from INTERNATIONAL Sweden, Estonia, the USA, Germany, Japan, Denmark, and Hong Kong, among others. To help ensure that international students STUDENTS have the best possible experience while studying here, we are a signatory to the Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice, which is administered by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). For more information, frequently asked questions, and what to do if things go wrong, go to INTERNATIONAL the NZQA website www.nzqa.govt.nz STUDENT SUPPORT

The School Registrar coordinates pastoral care for students (international and domestic) across the School and is the first point of contact for students in difficulty. The health of the School community is promoted and supported through weekly meetings of the entire student and staff body, but we encourage all of our students to approach a member of staff with any REQUIREMENTS issues at any time.

All classes at Toi Whakaari are taught in English. Students are required to meet NZQA English language requirements to be accepted into their programme of study. For more information, see pp16-17 of the Guide for International Students, on the International Students’ page of our website www.toiwhakaari.ac.nz All international students must have a student visa before arriving to study with us at Toi Whakaari. Please visit www.immigration.govt.nz for information on visa requirements, or check out the Guide for International Students (see above). Students are also required to have full travel and medical insurance during their whole period of study in New Zealand.

16 17 STUDENT Staff provide pastoral care and refer students to external support services if necessary. The School Registrar SUPPORT coordinates pastoral care for students (international and domestic) across the School and is the main (initial) contact for students needing support. Besides our staff, there are also Student At Toi Whakaari, we appreciate that Representatives and other students transitioning into tertiary education can positioned in Peer Supporting roles be stressful, not only academically, but who are available to assist you to get also in other ways such as moving away the support you need. from home, learning your way around a new city, the anxiety of finding and making new friends, and dealing with homesickness. It’s a lot to take on, which is why we’re here to help support you through your time with us.

When seeking accommodation, the best suburbs to look for rentals are Mount Your wellbeing is important to us and we Cook, Berhampore, Newtown, Vogeltown, encourage you to seek support when you Te Aro, and Thorndon. These areas are are unwell and/or in need. We’re here to all close enough to the School to make help point you in the right direction, no getting to and from Toi Whakaari quick matter if it is school related, or personal. and easy. We recommend looking for If you wish to talk to someone outside accommodation as early as possible the school about a particular issue, we before the beginning of the academic year. can help you find the right organisation to assist you.

19 HOW TO MORE APPLY INFORMATION

We are excited to be celebrating 50 years of success at Toi Whakaari in 2020.

At Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School we have a number of annual events which To apply for any of our courses at Toi showcase our students. Whakaari: NZ Drama School, please visit our website: www.toiwhakaari.ac.nz This includes: • Toi Film All applications must be submitted by COSTS • Marae Noho their required deadlines. You can find • Double Bill further information about the application • Mise en scéne process, along with these deadlines, Information about tuition fees, course • Festival of Work in Development listed on the individual programme costs, student services levy, and online • Text Lab ‘How to Apply’ pages on our website. application forms, are all available on • Costume Showcase For more information about our shows our website: www.toiwhakaari.ac.nz • End of Year Production or to learn how you can be involved, visit • Toi Design Music Video www.toiwhakaari.ac.nz Scholarships may be available on the • Design Exhibition basis of merit. Toi Whakaari students • Shakespeare Tour Let’s get social: Make sure you’re will be considered for scholarships • Solos following us on Facebook and Instagram only after acceptance to the School. for sneak peeks behind the scenes Domestic students can apply for or to stay up-to-date on all things government-funded student loans to Toi Whakaari! cover tuition and course-related costs.

Further information can be found by visiting www.studylink.govt.nz Disclaimer – The information in this prospectus describes the programmes we intend to offer in 2020, and is correct at the time of printing, July 2019. Programmes and International student fee details may change. Some programmes are dependent on government funding or the number of enrolments. Please check the website or contact us for the latest information.

20 21 Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School Te Whaea: National Dance & Drama Centre 11 Hutchison Road Newtown, Wellington 6021

+64 4 3819251 [email protected] www.toiwhakaari.ac.nz

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