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Hagley Theatre School Auditions for 2027

Hagley Theatre School

National
Auditions
Arts Education & Training, Performing Arts
September 15, 2026
Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

Mō mātou | About us

If you're looking for a place where theatre is created, developed and launched into the professional world, Hagley Theatre School is the place to begin. In recent years, Hagley theatre School has established itself as one of New Zealand's most exciting centers for actor training and theatre creation, earning a growing reputation as a place where emerging artists develop bold, original work and the skills needed for contemporary performance practice. Our one-year intensive programme places theatre creation at the heart of training. Students work alongside experienced practitioners, develop original productions, refine their performance skills, and collaborate within a diverse artistic community that reflects Aotearoa and the wider world.

Mō tēnei arawātea | About this opportunity

At Hagley Theatre School we're all about immersive, embodied actor training. The One-Year Acting Training Course is a year-long journey into the art of acting, open to anyone with a passion for performance - no prior theatre experience required. With 20 places available, the course runs from 8:45 AM to 2:30 PM, Monday to Friday, from February to December.

Course Information: Develop your skills as a versatile performer through practical and theoretical training inspired by Jacques Lecoq's poetic body, Stanislavski's Method of Physical Actions, and contemporary performance practices. Students explore movement, mask work, improvisation, character creation, storytelling, theatre history, and ensemble performance while building strong creative and analytical foundations.

Key training areas include:

  • Movement analysis and physical presence

  • Neutral Mask and Physical Action

  • Melodrama and tragedy

  • Commedia dell'Arte and popular theatre

  • Clown and Bouffon

  • Improvisation and theatre creation

  • Theatre history and performance theory

Me pēhea te tuku tono |
How to apply

To secure your audition spot visit: https://www.hagleytheatreschool.nz/


Complete the online application form and select your preferred audition location: Auckland - Saturday 24th October, Wellington - Sunday 25th October or Christchurch - Saturday 31st October. 


Applications for the One-Year Acting Training Course are open until 23 October 2026, limited spaces are available and we expect the audition workshops to fill quickly so apply today to secure your place!


Candidates must complete the online application form and upload Letter of Support (PDF or Word document) from a teacher, director, tutor, mentor, or another person who has worked with them in an artistic, educational, or professional capacity. The letter should comment on their commitment, reliability, creativity, ability to work with others, and suitability for training at Hagley Theatre School.

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Candidates will attend a full-day audition workshop comprising a practical group class, the presentation of a solo performance inspired by a provocation provided in advance (with a maximum duration of five minutes), and the creation and presentation of a group performance based on a separate provocation given on the day of the audition.

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