Our Governance
The Auckland Performing Arts Centre at Western Springs Incorporated is a registered Charitable Trust run by our dedicated Board of Directors who meet on a bi-monthly basis.
TAPAC Board Members
Tricia Reade (Chairperson), Ivan Davis, Tamati Patuwai, Robert Pollock, Robert Hunte, Padma Akula, and Stacy Busek. .
The TAPAC Team
TAPAC is run by a small but dedicated team of passionate professionals with a deep understanding of both the business and creative sides of the performing arts.
Executive Director: Sarah Somerville
Sarah’s career has spanned all aspects of theatre production from performance and production to producing, teaching and fundraising. She has worked with professional theatre companies and arts festivals across the country and has owned and operated her own production company, Phineas Phrog Productions, which created and told unique New Zealand stories for family audiences. The company produced over 60 live theatre productions and eight national tours. Sarah has spent the last 5 years working as the Public Programmes Manager at Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT), where she was responsible for creating an engaging yearly programme of events and experiences. Sarah has performed at Wellington’s Circa and Downstage theatres, Court Theatre (Christchurch), Fortune Theatre (Dunedin), and for Auckland Theatre Company and South Pacific Pictures. She was also a solo vocalist for the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. Sarah studied at Trinity College, London, earning a Licentiate Diploma for Performing and an Associate Diploma for Teaching. She has a Post Graduate Diploma from Mountview Theatre Conservatoire, London and a Bachelor of Arts (English Literature) from Otago University. Sarah is passionate about the performing arts and creating safe, inclusive spaces for creative communities. She believes that theatre plays a vital role in society and provides a platform for inspiration, education, innovation, and social change.
Funding and Communications Manager: Briana Duffy
Briana is an artist and arts administrator who has worked in curator, communications and administration positions for arts organisations including Window Gallery, and Pah Homestead Gallery. With a Bachelor's and Master’s degree in Fine Art, Briana is passionate about supporting the community’s development of creative skills and collaborating with artists, performers and educators. She has also worked as a research assistant with the University of Auckland’s Toitū te Ngahere project, which develops arts-based projects for young people to better understand ecological issues. Of Māori, Fijian, Pākehā and Rarotongan heritage, Briana is committed to building the capability and audiences of Tāmaki Makaurau’s diverse communities.
Accounts Administrator: Ana Hiini
Ana has been a welcoming face on Auckland’s hospitality scene for over 30 years. Behind the scenes, Ana has been responsible for managing the accounts at many of the hospitality establishments she has worked for. She is now using her skills to look after the accounts at TAPAC, including invoicing and financial reporting.
Education Coordinator: Manon Humphrey
Manon has over 7 years teaching experience in the performing arts sector. Graduating with a Bachelors of Dance Studies in 2021, Manon went on to teach drama-based self confidence classes to primary school aged children. She then also took on the role of operations manager at Future Leaders Academy, where high school rangatahi travel to the Pacific Islands to undertake leadership programmes and cultural immersion.
With a passion for dance and drama alongside commitment to supporting students of all ages, Manon's focus will be on fostering and growing our Performing Arts Programmes.
Operations Coordinator: Will Elliott
Will initially started as a member of the front-of-house team at TAPAC in 2019 while pursuing his Bachelor of Computer Science, at AUT. His initiative and passion for TAPAC led him to pick up additional duties, and in 2024 he seamlessly transitioned into the role of Operations Coordinator. Will’s background in hospitality, as well as familiarity with TAPAC and our community has given him a wide set of skills and experience to draw on as he works to help TAPAC achieve operational success.
Bookings Coordinator: Nieve Wilson
Nieve has a background in dance, receiving a Bachelor of Dance degree from the University of Auckland in 2023. She has choreographed for multiple musicals for the National Youth Theatre, performed with companies such as Luck & Schooney, and taught dance at many various dance schools. With a passion for the performing arts alongside building community relations, Nieve's focus will be growing TAPAC's community hires and managing our education enrolments.
Front of House Staff:
Our dedicated Front of House staff bring a kete full of diverse skills, knowledge, and experience to our team. Our Front of House staff work across many TAPAC events, and are always there to lend a helping hand.
- Kate Middleton
- Julie Packer
- Kalia Regan
- Eli Morgan
- Rhiannon Hadlow
- Joel' Bradley
- Renee Cunningham
- Cassidy Wild-Brookes
- Rose Herda