TAPAC is recognised as one of Auckland’s most popular performance, rehearsal and performing arts education venues. Every year over 180,000 people visit TAPAC to learn, rehearse and perform.
Established in 2003, as a result of a partnership between the community, Auckland Council and Western Springs College, TAPAC is a registered charity and all profits go back into providing exciting, quality and affordable performing arts programmes for the community.
In November 2018, TAPAC entered an arts partnership with Waitematā Local Board.
Performance
TAPAC's theatre typically hosts over 160 performances a year. We stage co-productions with some of Auckland’s leading theatre companies, including the popular ‘Night of the Queer’ and our annual October children’s holiday show. We also hire our theatre to a wide variety of established and emerging performing artists and community performance groups – including Prayas Theatre Company, Indian Ink, Hawaiki TŪ, Okareka Dance Company and Phoenix Belly Dance.
TAPAC participates in a number of vibrant festivals, including Auckland Pride and Fringe.
Education
TAPAC is an incubator of talent that nurtures aspiring performers of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. We run between 1500- 2000 performing arts classes annually and stage innovative programmes every school holidays for children and teens aged 5-17.
TAPAC-run classes are led by industry professionals, who offer the best training available and a direct connection to the professional performing arts industry.
TAPAC’s facilities are also hired by external teachers, such as Steet Swing, Phoenix Belly Dance and Matworks, who offer a diverse range of classes including Ballet, Hip-Hop, Afro-Fusion, Flamenco and Pacific dance and pilates.
TAPAC is also the home of the Western Springs College dance and drama programmes.
Community
TAPAC welcomes a diverse range of community groups, including StarJam, Proudly Asian Theatre, Mixit Creative Project for Migrant Youth, Mind over Manner Education Programme and Touch Compass who hold classes, workshops, development seasons and rehearsals.
Facilities
TAPAC is the only venue in Auckland that offers the community access to four performing arts studios and a professionally-managed purpose-built theatre that seats 127 and has flexible seating capacity of 160. We also offer a community kitchen and bar, dressing rooms, open foyer and plenty of parking.
Our Mission and Vision
- To provide a vibrant and inspiring centre for excellence in performing arts and education.
- To connect the professional, community and educational performing arts of New Zealand.
- To provide a safe and positive environment for established and emerging artists and performing arts education.
- To welcome and support people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.
- To maintain an innovative, well-designed building reflecting the diversity of its users and the beauty and history of the local environment.
- To be a professionally managed facility.
- To support excellence in the performing arts.
- To celebrate and encompass diversity and encourage people to celebrate their differences and work together to understand their differences.
- To make involvement in the performing arts accessible and affordable for those who would not commonly attend performing arts classes or productions.
What Our Users Say
“This is a unique and special place which fosters cultural and creative expression in various ways and which welcomes and nurtures important groups, especially artistic groups, in the community. I love it here because it is an open space where I can be myself and so can others.” Elizabeth
“TAPAC is a place where marginalised communities feel safe to express themselves and their stories.” Wendy Preston MNZM, Director Mixit creative project for refugee & migrant youth
“As an elder amateur dancer, this place encourages us to be young and free again.” Louise
Feedback from participants on our education programmes is consistently high, reflecting the calibre of the teaching, and demonstrating the life-changing impact of the programmes.
