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Bachelor of Performing Arts - Production

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Bachelor of Performing Arts - Production

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Bachelor of Performing Arts - Production

Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA) Endorsed in Production

The Toi Whakaari Bachelor of Performing Arts (Production) is an intensive and practical programme which provides essential skills in production and arts management for stage, screen and other media. The programme is delivered across a range of production-specific and interdisciplinary learning opportunities. There is a focus on collaboration and building working relationships that reflect industry practice. Mātauranga Māori is a key part of the BPA programme and holds specific focus across 3 x 15 credit courses. Robust engagement with industry practice, performing arts ecology and professional practice is fostered in pathways courses each semester. Students will engage in rangahau and research aligned with creative practice and will have opportunities to apply skills to a wide range of new and existing works. This specialisation takes a small cohort of up to 12 students a year to ensure high levels of individualised learning and opportunities.

Design Endorsement

Toi Whakaari is excited to announce the launch of its new Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA) with endorsements in Design, Production and Acting.

This unique and revitalised programme provides the same essential training that has always been offered by Toi Whakaari across a range of performance related disciplines.

This core learning is now supported by a new groundbreaking learning model designed to provide students with a range of skills and ways of working that are contemporary, relevant and aligned to the rapidly evolving landscape of creative and performing arts in Aotearoa and beyond.

The BPA programme draws on the commitment of Toi Whakaari to consistently employ processes and structures which can be recognised as uniquely of Aotearoa New Zealand, upholding the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Production Endorsement

Toi Whakaari is excited to announce the launch of its new Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA) with endorsements in Design, Production and Acting.

This unique and revitalised programme provides the same essential training that has always been offered by Toi Whakaari across a range of performance related disciplines.

This core learning is now supported by a new groundbreaking learning model designed to provide students with a range of skills and ways of working that are contemporary, relevant and aligned to the rapidly evolving landscape of creative and performing arts in Aotearoa and beyond.

The BPA programme draws on the commitment of Toi Whakaari to consistently employ processes and structures which can be recognised as uniquely of Aotearoa New Zealand, upholding the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Acting Endorsement

Toi Whakaari is excited to announce the launch of its new Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA) with endorsements in Design, Production and Acting.

This unique and revitalised programme provides the same essential training that has always been offered by Toi Whakaari across a range of performance related disciplines.

This core learning is now supported by a new groundbreaking learning model designed to provide students with a range of skills and ways of working that are contemporary, relevant and aligned to the rapidly evolving landscape of creative and performing arts in Aotearoa and beyond.

The BPA programme draws on the commitment of Toi Whakaari to consistently employ processes and structures which can be recognised as uniquely of Aotearoa New Zealand, upholding the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Watch our video for a step-by-step guide:

Graduate
Testimonial

Course Information

The Bachelor of Performing Arts is delivered through a range of learning opportunities including workshops, classes, studio-based training, wānanga, self-directed exercises, tutorials, masterclasses, industry placements and practical work on performance and independent projects.

The table below provides a brief overview of BPA courses including course code, name, credit value and Level. Please note ALL courses are compulsory.

Production

Year 1: Semester 1

(Course Code | Name | Credit Value | Level)

  • BPA 501 | Te Īa Mātauranga 1 | 15 | 5 | Grounded in the values of Toi Whakaari, this interdisciplinary course introduces key concepts such as positionality, individuality, and community.
  • BPA 502 | Craft Skills 1 | 15 | 5 | This course introduces discipline specific skills and knowledge related to production.
  • BPA 503 | Applied Craft 1 | 15 | 5 | This course provides opportunities to apply and test skills and knowledge associated with production in a supported environment.
  • BPA 504 | Learning Pathways 1 | 15 | 5 | This interdisciplinary course introduces all students in year 1 to a range of skills and processes to support training and future practice.

Production

Year 1: Semester 2

(Course Code | Name | Credit Value | Level)

  • BPA 505 | Te Īa Mātauranga 2 | 15 | 5 | This interdisciplinary course provides all year 1 students with tools to begin to explore rangahau and research in relation to decolonial world views.
  • BPA 506 | Craft Skills 2 | 15 | 5 | This course expands and deepens discipline specific craft skills and knowledge related to production.
  • BPA 507 | Applied Craft 2 | 15 | 5 | This course provides opportunities to apply and test skills and knowledge associated with production in a supported environment.
  • BPA 508 | Learning Pathways 1 | 15 | 5 | This interdisciplinary course provides an understanding of the performing arts sector across Aotearoa, and introduces a range of research methodologies and academic skills related to creative practice.

Production

Year 2: Semester 1

(Course Code | Name | Credit Value | Level)

  • BPA 601 | Te Īa Mātauranga 3 | 15 | 6 | This interdisciplinary course introduces concepts of indigenous critical theory and decolonised practices and explores Māori models of leadership in relation to creative practice.
  • BPA 602 | Creative projects 1 (Skills and Application) | 30 | 6 | This course deepens production related craft skills and knowledge through guided application across a range of performance contexts.
  • BPA 603 | Collaborative Pathways 1 | 15 | 6 | This interdisciplinary course explores the wider contexts of the performing arts ecology and supports tauira to develop skills for collaborative practice.

Production

Year 2: Semester 2

(Course Code | Name | Credit Value | Level)

  • BPA 604 | Breadth 1 | 15 | 6 | This interdisciplinary course provides an opportunity to broaden skill base by engaging in an area of practice that is not formally included in the students specialisation range/ or to deepen practice through an industry secondment.
  • BPA 605 | Creative projects 2 (Skills and Application) | 30 | 6 | This interdisciplinary course provides opportunity apply advanced craft skills and industry knowledge to a range of creative contexts.
  • BPA 606 | Collaborative Pathways 2 | 15 | 6 | This interdisciplinary course supports tauira to develop advanced skills in critical reflection in relation to a creative process.

Production

Year 3: Semester 1

(Course Code | Name | Credit Value | Level)

  • BPA 701 | New Performance Creation | 15 | 7 | This interdisciplinary course provides opportunities to further develop production related skills and knowledge in application to the creation of new works.
  • BPA 702 | Special projects | 30 | 6 | In this interdisciplinary course tauira will integrate skills, knowledge and research to pursue goals through project work or industry placement.
  • BPA 703 | Professional Pathways 1 | 15 | 7 | In this interdisciplinary course tauira will develop a range of skills and knowledge related to employment pathways and to support sustainable working practices.

Production

Year 3: Semester 2

(Course Code | Name | Credit Value | Level)

  • BPA 607 | Breadth 2 | 15 | 6 |This interdisciplinary course provides tauira with another opportunity to broaden their skill-base by engaging in an area of practice that is not formally included in their specialisation range.
  • BPA 704 | Graduation Project | 30 | 7 | In this interdisciplinary course, tauira will apply highly advanced skills and knowledge to a graduation project led or mentored by industry professionals.
  • BPA 705 | Professional Pathways 2 | 15 | 7 | In this interdisciplinary course, tauira will acquire skills and knowledge to support sustainable pathways beyond graduation.

School year

Feb - Nov

Length

3 years

Face to face learning model

360 Credits

NZQA Accreditation

NZQF Accreditation

Level 7

Domestic fees

For 2026 TBC

International fees

For 2026 TBC

Course related costs

TBC

Course related costs

$x

Course related costs

$x

Application Process

Entry into the Bachelor of Performing Arts (Production) is by application and interview.

Step One:

Complete our Online Application Form.

Step Two:
Applicants Weekend

Held at Toi Whakaari in Wellington, applicants will be invited to meet the kaiako and students of the Production course on Day 1 of the weekend. On day 2, each applicant will be interviewed for approximately 25 minutes.

Options for Interviews: While we encourage you to visit the Kura in person and experience our space, we completely understand that this may be a big ask depending on where you are coming from. We offer in-person or online interviews.

All online interviews will take place via Microsoft Teams. A link to be provided prior to the interview.

Interviews are conducted by Programme Kaiako. We aim to create a welcoming atmosphere for your interview. It’s an opportunity for us to have a conversation, get to know each other and learn about your ambitions. Questions will be fairly informal, and we are simply looking forward to hearing about your ideas and aspirations. The questions we are likely to ask are about your goals, the type of work you're interested in creating and how you like to learn.

Successful Applicants:

Successful applicants will be notified by email with an Offer of Place within 2 weeks of an interview taking place.

Career Pathways

Lighting,Sound, AV, Rigging, Stage Mechanics, Production and Stage Management, Festivaland Event production, Budgets, Funding and Marketing, Industry practice andInternships, Rangahau and Research, Mātauranga Māori

  • Programmer
  • Operator
  • Technician
  • Production manager
  • Technical manager
  • Stage manager
  • Venue manager
  • Events manager
  • Producer
  • Arts marketer
  • Publicist
  • Production roles for screen
  • Postgraduate studies

“The interdisciplinary nature of the course creates a vigorous training ground, mirroring that of the performing arts industry. Toi Whakaari accommodated opportunities for connections and professional development with world-class performing arts practitioners. Through this training, I was able to explore how to strengthen my interpersonal skills to enhance my adaptability as a stage manager and theatre technician. This has allowed me to create a durable and fulfilling career in the arts."

Ashley Mardon, Graduate 2017

- Site Manager, Wellington City Council


“Toi Whakaari has given me the skills not only to be able to work in the theatre industry but to advance my drag career. I have worked in Australia and New Zealand’s theatre industry, including Melbourne Theatre Company. I have also toured with different theatre shows, including my autobiographical Confessions of a Drag Queen which performed in the prestigious Sydney Opera House. All the skills I learned at Toi Whakaari are transferable to different disciplines and have set me up for life.” 

Henrique Beirao, Production Manager

- Centrepoint Theatre, Graduate