The Actors' Program

TERM THREE - MICHELLE BLANCHARD - ACTOR

Term three shot through like a bullet train.
One thing for sure, my stamina was put to the test.
As far as sleep goes, “what’s that” we were warned this term would be a lot of work. But I have to admit I dreaded checking my emails, because of the amount of scripts we would get sent.

However, this allows us to flex our muscles embodying different characters, flicking that switch never getting comfortable there was just no time.

All to prepare us for our epic short firms, which was the icing on a very layered cake. It was so wonderful to work in front of the camera and as crew behind it.

Our incredible tutors encouraged and pushed us to be our best, I am truly grateful.

I can’t believe we are approaching our term WTF 🥲

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TERM THREE - KATE TRUMAN - ACTOR

Where to even begin!!

Screen bootcamp was an unbelievable joy this term! It was confronting and terrifying but so rewarding and stretching. It gave me confidence in places I never thought I would achieve and showed me the huge amount of work it takes to work on screen and how incredibly fun it is. There were so many incredibly opportunities this term, from spending time at the ASB waterfront theatre to the absolute privilege of working with Jacqueline Nairn and the mega talented crew on our short films. I am leaving this term feeling deeply grateful and proud of the work that has been done. As well as in shock that there is only one term left. I can’t wait to make the absolute most of it and drink every moment up.

Thank you to all who have been supporting this journey!

Here’s to one more term! ❤️

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TERM THREE - THOMAS DAVIDSON - ACTOR

“3 words
Term 3 blurbs

What a term. So amazing. Love this cohort and the energy we have. We are all such great fruits with exquisite spices! Wanted to say how genuinely amazed I was with all the solo performances. Everyone is so creative in their own way and it is so cool to see people exploring and daring!! Hell yeah!! Let’s smash term 4 and then become big famous cool actors. Who’s the sexiest band in the world tonight?”

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TERM THREE - DAMIAN LEO - ACTOR

SEASON 3 WRAPPED!!!!..

This term has been very special, we've done all sorts of different preparation and training exercises for screen, with different amazing tutors pouring out their own unique knowledge from their own journey and experience. I am truly grateful for how far we've come and how much we've learned and experience.

For me, each week had their own mini heart attack moment that scared the s**t outta me, but we DO IT ANYWAYS! I don't think there's ever been a tutor this term that hasn't had me sitting in class s**tting myself, but I discovered that the feeling afterwards when we do it, ALWAYS tops that fear!!

I am incredibly stunned at watching myself evolve this term from where I was last term. I discovered new skills and techniques to equip in my arsenal, but the same goes to seeing my beautiful ensemble evolve as well. I've seen myself and the others face things that terrify us and still push through, and I'm so proud of that!. All of it led to us making a film! And those 3 days alone taught me more than I expected!!

BRING ON SEASON 4!!!!!!!

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TERM THREE - ISAYAH SNOW - ACTOR

Term Three is done and what a wild ride. So many amazing tutors who guided us through so much screen work. It was very tiring but so rewarding and informative.

Looking back it was insane how much was packed into this term and then finishing off with our short films was just the cherry on top. I’m proud of all the work we did and am excited to finish this last term off with a bang!

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TERM THREE - GRACE BRANNIGAN - ACTOR

Wow! Term three has been the most transformative yet. It’s been so rewarding getting to see all our work from the first 3/4 of the year solidifying in our craft.

Term three’s “screen bootcamp” was fast-paced and INTENSE, but it made me feel so fit as an actor and I loved the opportunity to play and try new things and find my spice (to pinch Jacque Drew’s words)!

A massive highlight for me was devising solos with Katrina George, that week was one I felt super nervous and unprepared for, but diving in headfirst and putting my fears aside was SO liberating and exciting. The adrenaline of putting something unpolished on the floor and actually loving what came out of it was a very new experience - this term has really challenged my perfectionism in all the best ways.

AND WE MADE A MOVIE!!! (Actually, we made three). First Night of Freedom was a wild ride from start to finish, but I adored working with my writing group, and seeing something we wrote turn into something real with such a talented cast and crew was extremely special. A huge thank you to Jacqueline Nairn and her spectacular crew, to Jessi and Meg and Ella for making our films happen (and for making them so beautiful)!

It is difficult
To be so brave every day
So I learn my lines

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TERM THREE - LIAM DUNLOP-BROWN - ACTOR

A term packed with technical work mostly for the screen
Learning how to stay connected and continual in the scene

Mondays warming up the voice and body with Cherie
testing new monologues down at the ASB
(waterfront theatre) with Sas and Cameron, that’s where our stage was set
US scenes and finalising our scripts with Kacie Stet(son)

An intense week of creation with Katrina’s solo devising
the location shoots are round the corner but first - costume sizing
Deeper improv work and stage craft with Michele Hine
Being so ‘in the scene’ with Rob Sarkies there’s no need to call for line

Poetry nearly every week my favourite class of all
Daniel don’t analyse that second stanza you might just be appalled
Location shoots to end it all - the term and this recap
capturing moments with Jacque Nairn and now it’s over, that’s a wrap

This term I’ve expanded my artistry and creative capabilities
accepted that sometimes to go forward you gotta go back
and explored all the possibilities

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TERM THREE - SAMANTHA ELLWOOD - ACTOR

What a ride!

Somehow we made it from script-writing, continuity and American accents, all the way to acting in our very own short films! Not to mention a bit of poetry, devising and stagework thrown in for good measure. To say I am proud is an understatement. I am also ready for a nap!

This term I learnt that working fast (and I mean really fast) can stop me from self-editing the process. I got a taste of working behind-the-scenes for stage and screen and can't wait to try those skills out in the world. I have always wanted to shoot a film I had written and thanks to TAP I have now done just that - only better than I could have imagined! Having Jaq Nairn back to direct us with her incredible crew was an unbelievable cherry on top of a fantastic term.

To my ensemble, you guys ROCK! Term 4 lets gooooo 🤩

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🎬 TAP GRADS DOING COOL THINGS!!! 🎬

We LOVE seeing where our grads are popping up! 🙌

Check out TAP grad Mayen Mehta in the trailer for the brand-new Paramount TV series, Treasure Island! 🏝️

Mayen spent several months filming in Tenerife, and we can’t wait to see him shine in the series. 🌊⚔️

Go Mayen! We’ll be watching! 👏

Treasure Island | Official Trailer | Paramount+ UK & Ireland No one can be trusted.Jim Hawkins sets sail aboard the Hispaniola...

THAT'S A WRAP on Term Three!! 🎬

Our actors have had an incredible term devising, creating and performing for screen. Under the direction of the incomparable Jacqueline Nairn, it all built to an epic finale — filming three short films in three days!

Check out some BTS shots from the week, and stay tuned to hear straight from the actors about their experience...