Little School That Makes Big Names Launches 15-Year Fundraiser

An Auckland-based acting school is marking 15 years of operation with a fundraising campaign to support the next generation of actors and keep the training accessible.

Since launching in 2012, The Actors’ Program (TAP) has trained more than 200 actors, with about 98 percent of recent graduates securing professional representation.

Alumni now work across film, television, and theatre in New Zealand and internationally with others creating and touring their own productions.

“We are the little school that makes big names,” Artistic Manager Benjamin Kilby-Henson, an award-winning theatre director, says.

Recent graduates include Olive Mortimer, who has joined the core cast of Disney’s Zombies 5, and Mana Tatafu, who has appeared in Zombies 4 and the US series Young Rock. Emily Patterson has completed filming the Australian feature Bluebottle.

Earlier graduate Zoe Robins went on to star in two seasons of Amazon’s The Wheel of Time, while Jess Sayer is well known to Kiwi audiences for her long-running role on Shortland Street. Anya Banerjee is currently filming the second season of Doc, already renewed for a third, and Holly Shervey created, wrote and stars in Crackhead.

“Our graduates are trained to a level where they can step straight into the industry and are trusted to bring their talent and professionalism,” Benjamin says.

Some graduates have secured roles directly from their final showcases, with industry professionals identifying talent before they even enter audition rooms.

Co-founder Sara Wiseman, an award-winning screen and theatre actor, says the program was created to fill a gap in actor training and strengthen the wider industry.

“We wanted to create a program we would have been excited to attend ourselves, something that filled a gap and helped build a stronger and more connected industry.”

The program combines screen and theatre training, with a strong focus on practical, industry-led learning from day one. Class sizes are capped at 18 students and students train with active industry practitioners, many of whom are established performers and creatives working across the industry.

Sara says that flexibility is a key strength. “Because we are independent, we can respond to what is happening in the industry in real time and bring that directly into the training.”

Maintaining access remains one of the school's biggest challenges.

As an independent training provider and charitable trust, students are not eligible for student loans, which Sara says adds to the pressure of keeping the program accessible.

“If we were to charge what it actually costs to run the program, it would be completely out of reach for many people,” Sara says.

“It is about making sure people can train, regardless of their financial situation.”

Program Manager Jessi Williams, an actor and registered psychotherapist, says the milestone is both a celebration and a call to sustain the model.

“It feels like an important moment to both celebrate the program’s impact and highlight the need for continued access to training.”

The school's ‘15 for 15’ Givealittle campaign aims to raise $15,000, encouraging supporters to contribute $15 to mark each year of operation. While modest individually, the Givealittle contributions collectively contribute to scholarships, student showcases, and short films that help graduates transition into professional work.

Alongside the campaign, TAP is hosting a fundraising event on May 1, which is almost sold-out, featuring live performances from graduates and Artistic Board members, as well as an auction and live fundraising appeal.

TAP is also seeking support from individuals and organisations interested in backing the future of Aotearoa's performing arts industry, including philanthropic donors.

Alongside technical training, the program includes a strong focus on wellbeing, equipping actors with tools to navigate the psychological demands of the profession.

“We are preparing them for the realities of the industry as well, how to stay steady when things do not go their way,” Jessi says.

Benjamin says the role of actors remains essential. “Actors reflect humankind in a way that others can’t. We have all been changed by a film, television show and live performance. That is why it matters.”

Sara says the milestone is also about the future.

“We can see the impact the program has had over 15 years. Now it is about making sure we can continue that work into the future.”

To donate to The Actors' Program, visit https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/15-dollars-for-15-years-the-actors-program

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