TAPAC, The Auckland Performing Arts Centre

TAPAC (The Auckland Performing Art Centre) is a great place to attend a workshop, run a workshop, head a rehearsal, go to a show or book a studio for filming, dance, performing arts or whatever you are into. Recently I have booked studios 3 and 4 for theatre rehearsals, and always found the space, a great place to work. It would be fantastic if they had a ‘proper’ bar/​café, this facility is lacking just now. Loads of parking right by the zoo, modern building, generally clean and vibrant place. They even facilitate holiday school programmes, and filming/​audition technique for teenagers! Also they house ‘The Actors Program’. Creative practitioners everywhere! Rad.

Dad recently took me and my sisters to Club Med Malaysia for a little holiday — it was awesome. Our family have been a big fan of Club Med’s since us kids were really young, and have always spent the majority of our time at the trapeze.
After this recent trip, I vowed to start circus school when I got back to Auckland. After a bit of research, the circus school at TAPAC came up as the best option. Though it was a bit of a drive from where I live on the North Shore, it was worth it. My sister and I were pretty nervous, thinking maybe we were intoxicated by the heat and holiday vibes of Malaysia while making this promise to ourselves.
But thanks to the super friendly staff we were enjoying ourselves in no time. There were only about 5 others in the class which meant we all got great personal help and feedback. We made our way around the room doing a mix of circus tricks involving ropes, trapeze, and fabrics.
Safety was paramount but so was fun. I actually only ended up going three times as it proved to be too far away to travel in traffic time, but writing this I am seriously considering going back. A unique way to get some exercise and it feels pretty cool to say you to circus school.

This place is perfect when one wants to host an event that uses a stage. It’s perfect for any showcase. I went there for the Africa Day celebrations last year. There was plenty of parking at the venue which was a bonus. I’m not a fan of parking on the street or paying for parking. The event was beautiful and the location of Tapac was just right. It isn’t in the citt but it isn’t too far from the city.
After the event I went home and learnt a bit more about what happens at Tapac, I am yet to sign up for a part time performance class. The classes all look interesting and the fact that you can do some of them part time means that you can have it as a hobby but at the same time learn something.

TAPAC is a bit of an Auckland institution. Virtually any kid growing up in central Auckland with an interest in the performing arts will have heard of TAPAC, even if they didn’t attend any classes there.
TAPAC is recognised as one of the best performing arts facilities in the area, with an extensive range of classes available –for all ages and abilities — as well as great studios and mini theatres for rehearsals and performances.
In my early teens I participated in an acting class at TAPAC. The class was great. It covered a variety of styles of acting, whether for screen or the stage, and it was really good for boosting my self confidence and leadership qualities — though I didn’t realise it at the time of course!
Whether dancing, acting, singing or even circus skills and acrobatics are your forte, or you’ve just always wanted to give them a try — TAPAC is the place for you.
Tip: TAPAC also host school holiday programmes, so if your child is unsure about signing up to regular lessons this is a good way to see whether they want to pursue these classes any further!

This is a really wonderful venue with the primary function of a performing arts school, rehearsal space and performance venue. It also runs seminars, has a café and is now home to The Actors Programme.
It runs a full range of evening and weekend part time classes, with programmes covering all the performing arts with everything from acting for screen and stage, singing, dance and if you want to run away and join the circus, you can learn the tricks here. There’s something for every age group and a lot of well respected industry professionals run workshops out of here.
It’s a really wonderful space that is intrinsic to Auckland’s artistic community and even if you are more of an observer than a participant, TAPAC has something for everyone, so at least come and see a show.
There’s school holiday programmes as well as term time programmes and the facilities and tutors are top class. Bloody marvellous!