Explore your options
With its multidisciplinary environment providing many rich opportunities to work closely with students from other fields of study, the Acting training at Unitec is unique in Aotearoa. We have an especially close collaborative approach with the Screen Arts programme which provides lots of time to work with crews in studio and on location in industry style filming environments.
The variety of acting training and practice opportunities on offer within this programme will support you to be a flexible and adaptable artist and to develop the range of skills you need to realise your full potential as an actor.
Our tutors have high expectations. This means that you will find the programme rigorous, involved and designed to inspire your journey as an artist. Go to our acting program page for an overview of each year of study.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
In School of Creative Industries we have a wide range of shows and events, discover more from:
Programmes and study path
| PROGRAMME | LEVEL | DURATION | CAREER OPTIONS | START DATES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 4) - Screen Arts, Acting and Technical Production | 4 | Full-time for 16 weeks or part-time options available | Entry into further study toward a career in the media or performing and screen arts. | February or July |
| Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts (Acting for Screen and Theatre) | 7 | Full-time for three years | Acting trainer/teacher, Actor for theatre, film and television, Performer, Performing arts manager, Presenter, Theatre deviser/creator | February |
| Postgraduate Certificate in Creative Practice | 8 | Six months full-time or one year part-time | Artist, Art director, Product designer, Graphic designer, Director, Photographer, Experience designer, Producer, Sculptor, Visual artist, Performance designer, Service designer, Curator, Choreographer, Filmmaker | February or July |
| Postgraduate Diploma in Creative Practice | 8 | Full-time for one year or part-time for two years | Artist, Creative director, Curator, Digital artist, Director, Graphic designer, Photographer, Producer, Visual artist, Choreographer | February or July |
| Master of Creative Practice | 9 | Full-time for 18 months or part-time for three years | Artist, Art director, Product designer, Graphic designer, Director, Photographer, Experience designer, Producer, Production designer, Sculptor, Visual artist, Performance designer, Service designer, Curator, Actor for theatre, film and television, Choreographer, Filmmaker | February or July |
Industry connections
It is important to us that the acting training we offer at Unitec remains relevant and delivers graduates that are ready to work in the industry. As the demands of the industry change and grow, we work hard to ensure our acting programme adapts and shifts to accommodate this. At the Unitec acting programme we make sure we maintain close contact with industry through our lecturers, graduates and the frequent guest tutors and directors that work on specialist classes and live and screen performance projects.
Our core teaching staff are highly trained and have worked extensively nationally and internationally. Unitec supports the team to stay relevant through work in the industry and recent stage credits include Auckland Theatre Company, Silo and Basement. They also have a wide range of screen credits to their names including Outrageous Fortune, Filthy Rich, Chronicles of Narnia, Step Dave, Power Rangers, Westside, Mean Mums , Bro’town, Shortland St, Go Girls, Ash vs Evil Dead, and more.
Guest tutors work with students many areas including as directors of stage and screen projects and leading specialist workshops for screen, movement , dialect, singing, writing and directing, devising, audition technique, professional practices and business skills.
We are affiliated with an number of professional guilds and students are encouraged to join Actors Equity as student members.
Facilities
With its depth of training, potentials for multi-disciplinary and collaborative practice and unique proximity to Aotearoa’s major theatre companies and studios, Unitec is at the cutting edge of acting training in New Zealand.
At Unitec you’ll work closely with your future colleagues - other actors, designers, producers , writers , dancers, directors, editors, sound ,lighting and camera. The campus has range of spaces for live and screen performance including several acting studios, a theatre, film studios and a screening room. A film school on site means acting students can access and work with cameras regularly and have many opportunities to practice a range of performance styles.
Planning is underway for a new purpose designed facility on the Unitec campus. The move this new performing arts space in the next 18 months will further enhance learning opportunities and support new methods and technologies.
Auditions
To join Unitec's Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts (Acting for Screen and Theatre), you'll need to audition.
The first round of auditions will be submitted via video by Tuesday, 10 September 2024. Successful candidates will be invited to attend the second round of auditions, which will be held in-person over a 2-day weekend in Auckland on Saturday 12th (9 AM to 4 PM) & Sunday 13th October (9 AM to 3 PM) 2024. Please click on the button below for more information.
