Year Overview
Your Journey at Toi Whakaari
The NZ Diploma in Entertainment Technology is a two year course designed to provide students with an understanding of and competence in all forms of theatre production, leading to employment in the technical areas of theatre and the performing arts industry.
Students who choose to enroll in the Diploma course will complete a course very similar to the first two years of the Bachelor of Performing Arts (Management) degree. However, the focus for Diploma students is on the technical aspects of production rather than performance management.
Students who satisfactorily complete the Diploma may be able to transfer into the Bachelor of Performing Arts (Management) course and credit their existing work towards a degree. They may also transfer into the Design for Stage and Screen degree or continue on to do an Advanced Diploma in Entertainment Technology. These transfers are dependent upon academic and demonstrated ability.
Our students are given the freedom to explore their creativity, to take risks, and to test established production procedures. Great importance is placed on providing opportunities for students to test their limitations, develop their strengths and exercise their imaginations through a range of structured project and production activities.
Year One
The first year of the course concentrates on the function and operation of key areas in theatre production. It includes a group devised project to explore a range of production activities and to encourage a collaborative approach to the work. Students learn the basics of all aspects of entertainment technology.
You can check out what an average week looks like for a first year entertainment technology student here.
Year 1 Course Outline Basic stage lighting mechanics |
Year Two
In the second year there is a stronger concentration on developing a deeper understanding and familiarity of process through a series of elective units. Students apply their skills and knowledge to production activity; this is reinforced with specialised block courses and industry secondments.
During their second year, students have the opportunity to work on a range of productions in their particular area of specialisation. These include Toi Whakaari acting and directing projects, collaborative projects with NZ School of Dance, and secondments to outside production houses in New Zealand and overseas.
Each student is seconded to at least one professional theatre company or production. Recent secondments have included working with various shows in the International Festival of the Arts; Metro Productions, MJF Lighting, the Royal NZ Ballet, Park Road Post, Taki Rua Productions, Australian Dance Theatre and the Montana New Zealand Wearable Art Awards.
You can check out what an average week looks like for a second year entertainment technology studenthere.
Year 2 Course Outline Stage lighting design and mechanics |
Further Options
On completion of the Diploma in Entertainment Technology, students are able to transfer into the third year of the Bachelor of Perfoming Arts (Management) if they have become interested in the management aspects of the performing arts or the Bachelor of Design for Stage and Screen course if they have developed a strong interest in design.
Graduates of the ET course or industry professionals interested in furthering their education may also complete the Advanced Diploma in Entertainment Technology - a one year course individually tailored to the student's interests. For more information on the Advanced Diploma please contact kate.robertson@toiwhakaari.ac.nz.
