Sara Wiseman

IMDB  |  Agent

TAP co-founder Sara Wiseman is an award winning screen and theatre actor with a career spanning two decades in both Australia and New Zealand. She has most recently been on screen in Australian shows A PLACE TO CALL HOME, RAKE & BETWEEN TWO WORLDS, and in New Zealand shows ONE LANE BRIDGE and Canadian co-production THE SOUNDS.  She will appear in THE GULF Season 2 and Roseanne Liang’s CREAMERIE in 2021.  On the large screen Sara’s credits include, HUMAN TRACES, REST FOR THE WICKED, JINX SISTER, THE INSATIABLE MOON, MATARIKI for which she won Best Supporting Actress. Theatrical credits for NZ companies such as Silo, ATC, Downstage, and Royale include AMY’S VIEW, CABARET, COLLECTED STORIES, DEATH OF A SALESMAN, PROOF, DANNY & THE DEEP BLUE SEA, THIS IS HOW IT GOES, LASHINGS OF WHIPPED CREAM, KILLER JOE, THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES, HATE for Melbourne's Malthouse Theatre and THE BITTER TEARS OF PETRA VON KANT for Redline Productions in Sydney.

“I feel very excited for the students who are selected to take part in this innovative program. The calibre of practitioners tutoring is incredible.”

Michele Hine

Artistic Manager (2010 - 2020)
Agent | IMDB

Michele has been a professional actor, director and acting teacher for over 40 years. She has a Masters in Directing and was a co-founder and lectured in the acting department of the Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts at Unitec for many years. She has acted extensively in TV, film and theatre. Her most recent screen credits include SIS, INSIDE, FRESH EGGS, SAME BUT DIFFERENT, AUCKWARD LOVE, and GO GIRLS series 2, 3 and 4. Recent stage credits include HEADSAND, SHAM, GWEN IN PURGATORY and ELEVATOR. She has also been seen in the title role of THE HOUSE OF BERNADA ALBA, THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES and won a Hackman Theatre Award for her portrayal of Jude in THE IDEA OF AMERICA. Michele has performed in Britain, Europe, Australia and Japan. She toured New Zealand in two highly acclaimed solo shows and performed with such companies as Theatre Corporate, Downstage Theatre, Dramadillo and Royale Productions. Her screen appearances include two Disney films, RETURN TO OZ and ATOMIC TWISTER and the internationally acclaimed short film THIS IS HER. TV roles include ALMIGHTY JOHNSONS, SHORTLAND STREET, MERCY PEAK and AWAY LAUGHING. Michele has taught acting both nationally and internationally, including students at Unitec, Toi Whakaari and Auckland and Victoria Universities. She served as Chairperson of The Basement Theatre Trust Board for 8yrs. In the 2021 New Years Honours List, Michèle was named a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to performing arts education.

“What makes this course unique is its intense, pared-back nature and its high expectations of its students to be mature, independent and self-motivated professionals from day one. This is an exciting return to the core basics of being an actor and will give our students the skills to thrive in a tough and demanding industry.”

Jennifer Ward-Lealand

IMDB | Official Website  |  NZ On Screen  |  Twitter  |  Agent

Since training at Auckland’s influential Theatre Corporate, Jennifer has worked extensively in theatre, film, television, musical and radio for nearly 40 years - and since 2018  as an Intimacy Coordinator for stage and screen.  On stage her work includes THE GOAT, THAT FACE, BERLIN, BREL and THE BOOK OF EVERYTHING for Silo Theatre, LE SUD, AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, LYSISTRATA, SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION  and THE SEAGULL for ATC. She has excelled in both dramatic and comedic roles, as well as numerous roles in musical theatre and cabaret. Her film and television work includs VERMILION, DIRTY LAUNDRY, HIGH RD and FRIDAY NIGHT BITES.  She works regularly as a voice over artist and can be heard as DORABLE DUCK on the children’s television series BUZZY BEE. Jennifer was a founding board member of the Watershed Theatre and a co-founder of  The Actors' Program. She is currently President of Equity New Zealand (since 2008), Patron of Q Theatre, and serves as a trust board member of the NZ Actors Benevolent Fund. In the 2007 New Years Honours List, she was named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to theatre and the community. In 2018 Jennifer was awarded the SPADA Industry Champion Award and in the 2019 New Years Honours List was named a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to theatre, film and television and presented with a Woman of Influence Award (for arts and culture) Most recently, she was honoured as the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year 2020. Jennifer has been a keen student of te reo Maori since 2008, and in 2017, she was gifted the name Te Atamira (The Stage) by Sir Timoti Karetu and Te Wharehuia Milroy. 

“I’m so proud to be part of fostering a new generation of smart, engaged and committed New Zealand performers, ready to take on whatever challenges come their way”

Michael Hurst

Official Website  |  NZ On Screen  |  Twitter  |  Agent

In his 40 year career, Michael has played over a hundred roles in theatre ranging from Hamlet to The Widow Twankey, with musicals such as CABARET, THE MIKADO and THE THREEPENNY OPERA along the way. His directing credits include the recent ATC hit productions of CHICAGO and LYSISTRATA, but he is most known for his innovative and compelling productions of Shakespeare's works, including HAMLET, MACBETH, TWELFTH NIGHT, MEASURE FOR MEASURE, A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM and most recently KING LEAR at Circa Theatre in Wellington.  Michael became Internationally known in the 1990s when he played Iolaus in HERCULES: THE LEGENDARY JOURNEYS. Since then, he has not only maintained his career in the theatre as an actor and director, but has also gone on to direct such television shows as SPARTACUS, LEGEND OF THE SEEKER, ASH VS EVIL DEAD, THE ALMIGHTY JOHNSONS, 800 WORDS, WESTSIDE, THE BROKENWOOD MYSTERIES and MYSTIC. His solo shows NO HOLDS BARD and AN ILIAD have toured both NZ and Australia over the past few years.  In 2003 Michael was made a New Zealand Arts Laureate, and in 2005 he was appointed as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM). He is chair of the AUSA Outdoor Shakespeare Trust, chair and founding member of The Actors' Program Board, Patron of Q Theatre and a proud member of New Zealand Actors' Equity.

“I could probably tell you everything I know about acting in an afternoon. The rest is practice.”

Cameron Rhodes

IMDB  |  NZ On Screen  |  Twitter  |  Agent

Cameron has been working for over 30 years as an actor in Theatre, TV and film and as a voiceover artist. A 1987 graduate from Toi Whaakari, he has appeared in over 100 stage productions, 14 feature films and a number of television productions. With a particular interest in voice and acting technique, Cameron has tutored and directed at Unitec, Toi Whaakari and in recent music theatre summer schools. In demand as a voice and acting coach in the private sector, he has also worked as a communications coach at TVNZ and TV3.  Recent stage work includes MRS WARREN'S PROFESSION, THE AUDIENCE and BLACK LOVER at ATC, MEET ME IN ST LOUIS at The Hayes Theatre Sydney. Film and TV appearances include DEAD, HOUSEBOUND, LORD OF THE RINGS, AGENT ANNA, THE NEW LEGENDS OF MONKEY for Netflix, RAKE for ABC Australia and most recently the BBC 1 series THE LUMINARIES.

“The Actors’ Program is an exciting, intensive, year-long course learning from the best in the business. Every tutor is a highly successful professional working in, and familiar with the needs of the acting industry in NZ. I am thrilled to be part of this course that will truly equip the students with the skills to succeed.”

John Callen

NZ On Screen  |  IMDB  |  Agent

John has worked for more than 45 years as a professional actor, director and writer in theatre, radio, film and television. He has performed in or directed more than 120 stage productions and two dozen television series. He has won several awards for his acting and has also appeared in a number of films, including the core cast of THE HOBBIT. Recently he has had roles in several web series and the NZ/Denmark drama STRAIGHT FORWARD as well as THE LUMINARIES. He has narrated more than 150 documentaries for local and international producers and is in constant demand as a voice-over artist. John has also directed TV dramas, documentaries and commercials and worked as a part-time drama lecturer around New Zealand.

“The Actors’ Program is a return to the ‘basics’, the development of core skills geared specifically to performance. It’s an exciting venture that will deliver a new age of actors directly to New Zealand’s stage and screen industry.”

Jessi Williams

Program Manager   | IMDB  |  Agent

Jessi is an experienced actor, voice-over artist, writer, producer and director. After studying theatre and film at Waikato University, she moved to Hollywood, where she worked as an actor for several years and taught in the high school program at the New York Film Academy (NYFA). She continued her training at the Brian Reise Studio in Los Angeles as well as NYFA at Universal Studios. Upon her return to New Zealand she completed The Actors' Program in Auckland.  She has performed extensively in film, TV, web series and theatre around the world in amazing locations such as Sydney, London, Paris, Stockholm and Hollywood. Film and Television credits include SHORTLAND STREET, FRIENDS, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN 3, LONELYGIRL15, IRIS EXPANDING, GORDON COMPLEX, BALLOONS, FILTHY RICH, FIND MY KILLER and THE READING. Her short film UPSIDE DOWN, which she co-wrote, produced and starred in has won several awards on the international festival circuit; including Best Short and Best Actress for Jessi at the Los Angeles Film Awards. Theatre credits include PRECIOUS LITTLE, LADY WINDERMERE’S FAN, ANTIGONE, ROMEO & JULIET, KING LEAR, DANNY & THE DEEP BLUE SEA, LION IN WINTER, AFTER YOU, REASONS TO BE PRETTY, DANCING AT THE BLUE IGUANA, 8-THE PLAY and VERNON GOD LITTLE.  Jessi is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA in the United States and Equity New Zealand.

Cherie Moore

Head of Voice     | Agent

Cherie is a singer, actor, vocal coach, director, and producer. She is a founder of Last Tapes Theatre Company, and the founder and artistic director of Ihi Musical Theatre Company. She is a graduate of The Actors’ Program, has a double degree in Drama and English, and has studied voice for the last 20 years. Cherie is currently Head Of Voice at The Actors’ Program and is on the board of Equity NZ. She is well known as a songstress and storyteller who creates a spellbinding atmosphere that transports audiences. She has won awards as a performer and director in NZ and internationally and is passionate about mentoring up and coming performers.

Cherie teaches singing to a private studio of students and regularly vocal coaches plays as well as shows with music, directs plays and musicals, and can be found singing at venues around the city. 

Cherie co-created and performed the show Valerie for the Auckland International Cabaret Festival. Valerie was named cabaret of the year by The Herald, won most original production at the Auckland Theatre Awards, and has since toured nationally and internationally. Valerie won a Fringe First Award in Edinburgh in 2018. Other recent credits include; Sweet Tooth (Netflix), Birdland (Q Theatre) The Best Role I’ll [probably] Never Play (Q Theatre), Unleashed (Civic Winter Garden), Karaoke Boiz (Q Theatre), The Space Between (Auckland Town Hall), Twelfth Night (Fortune Theatre), Into The Woods (Fortune Theatre), The Tempest (Pop Up Globe), Hungover the Musical (Basement Theatre), The Last Five Years (Herald Theatre), Verbatim (North Island Tour), and Shortland Street. Cherie also helps develop work and curate artists for performances.