Wellington Performing Arts Centre Gears up for 09

Wellington Performing Arts Centre Gears up for 09

Whitireia Performing Arts programmes as well as Whitireia Stage and Screen programmes (in partnership with NZCOPA) are set to start in the Wellington Performing Arts Centre in 2009. The Wellington Performing Arts Centre will now offer a broader range, from the Whitireia international cultural dance troupe, through to applied acting for stage and screen courses.

“We are looking forward to having the different programmes all working together and developing our own artistic philosophy and style as a centre and as individuals.” Says Alan Palmer, Wellington Campus Manager.

Along with the re-location of successful programmes to Wellington City, Whitireia Community Polytechnic will begin rebuilding some of the courses already offered by Wellington Performing Arts Centre.

The two year Diploma in Commercial Dance will be taught by classically trained Anne Anderson, who retired as principal dancer of the Royal New Zealand Ballet in 1996. The course focuses on giving students the skills to break into the mainstream market and preparing them for a variety of jobs in the industry.

Other courses that will be retained include a sixth month screen acting certificate and a two year Diploma in Musical Theatre (Singing). These sit well with Whitireia Community Polytechnic arts qualifications which include; Bachelor of Applied Arts (Performing Arts), Certificate in Foundation Education (Performing Arts), Diploma in Stage and Screen Arts (in partnership with NZCOPA) and Diploma in Stage and Screen Arts (Advanced) (in partnership with NZCOPA). Students can either start at a foundation or entry level with lower NCEA qualifications and progress, or enter directly into the innovative applied arts degree.

Returning tutors at WPAC include Vanessa Stacey, who has had roles in TV series The Tribe and in the movie Out of the Blue. Carmel McGlone will teach the Screen Acting Course and is very active in the local theatre scene, performing and directing at numerous local theatres including Downstage and Circa. Musical Theatre will be taught by Julie O’Brien. “With the Whitireia Performing Arts Centre taking over as the new management, we are entering an exciting new chapter within the Performing Arts in New Zealand” says O’Brien.

“It is going to be a fabulous Performing Arts Company,” says Alan Palmer, “We have real industry professionals as tutors, who can provide students with an abundance of knowledge and skills and we are right in the heart of the industry.”

Places are still available in the Whitireia Performing Arts Centre. For more information call 0800 944 847.

ENDS

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