Teachers
The tutors at Toi Whakaari are also practising professionals. All have worked extensively in theatre, film or television both nationally and internationally and bring this experience to bear in their teaching.
Kate Robertson
Head of Entertainment Technology and Performing Arts Management
Kate completed the Diploma of Professional Drama (Technical Production) at Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School in 1997. Since then she has worked At BATS Theatre and Downstage Theatre in business, production and facilities management roles. She returned to Toi Whakaari in 2007 to work as the Production Coordinator, a relatively new role in the School. She was appointed to the position of Head of Department (Entertainment Technology and Performing Arts Management) in 2008 following Bill Guest’s retirement.
Lisa Maule
Senior Tutor, Performing Arts Management and Entertainment Technology
Lisa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History and a Bachelor of Design from Victoria University of Wellington. She has also studied Maori Language and Public Policy.
Lisa is a very skilled Lighting Designer, receiving several Chapman Tripp nominations and awards for Lighting Designer of the year, most recently winning in 2008 for The American Pilot at Circa Theatre. She has extensive professional practice in the Performing Arts Sector living and working from Wellington, New Zealand for the last 18 years as a designer and manager. Teaching experience includes tutoring at Weltec, (interior lighting), Massey University (lighting for design) UCol (lighting mechanics and design) and Victoria University of Wellington (theatre lighting). Professional companies she has worked with include Downstage Theatre, Taki Rua Productions, Capital E, and the New Zealand International Arts Festival and many in the independent sector.
Pam Hindmarsh,
Senior Tutor, Performing Arts Management and Entertainment Technology
Pam brings a very wide range of theatre and events experience to Toi Whakaari: Stage Manager since 1988, working at The Court Theatre, Christchurch; The Mercury Theatre, Auckland; Opera New Zealand, Auckland; Auckland Theatre Company; Downstage & Circa Theatres, Wellington. Pam was selected for a scholarship to work on the Opera at the Banff Centre for the Arts, Alberta, Canada in 1991. Pam’s international experience involved working as a stage manager for Vanessa Ford Productions, London; Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester; and Pitlochry, Scotland. On return to New Zealand Pam trained young adults at the Maidment Youth Theatre, Auckland; and has been stage manager for many outdoor events including the pre-match entertainment for DB Bitter Warriors, at Ericsson Stadium, and the Auckland Millennium Celebrations, involving over 500 performers, in the Auckland Domain in 2000. More recently Pam has been the Stage Manager for the Hayley Westenra and John Rowles concerts at the Westpac St James Theatre, televised for NZ and US audiences. Pam has been a guest tutor at Toi Whakaari since 1999
Tony toufexis
Teaching & Resources Technician
Tony started working/training as a technician for the Michael Folwer Centre and Town Hall in 1997. He worked on numerous conferences, concerts and tradeshows during his time there. From there he went to work more specifically on shows; from the NZ International Arts Festival to the Millennium concert on Wellington waterfront. Tony joined Toi Whakaari in late 2000 as the Teaching & Resources Technician. He is involved in the day to day operation and maintenance of the Schools' Audio/Visual resources. He also maintains the School's Mac Computer Lab and Sound Studio. Tony has also recently produced several promotion videos for the School and is an invaluable resource to all students and staff!
"One of the more enjoyable aspects of the job is following the students through their careers once they graduate. This always gives YOU itchy feet!”
PAUL TOZER
Production Co-ordinator
Paul graduated from Toi Whakaari's Diploma of Entertainment Technology course in 2007 and since then has been working freelance on various theatre productions throughout the Wellington region and abroad. Most recently Paul was the Production Manager for Victoria University’s Summer Shakespeare, he toured to AK09 and Queensland’s The Dreaming Festival with Taki Rua’s Te Karakia as Lighting Designer, and he worked on the critically acclaimed 2009 BATS STAB commission Death and the Dreamlife of Elephants.
Paul’s Lighting and Audio Visual designs have toured both nationally and internationally. He is experienced in a wide range of production roles from Stage and Production Management to Set Construction and Technical Direction and has been highly sought after as a co-collaborator within the New Zealand Performing Arts Industry since his graduation.
Visiting Tutors
Toi Whakaari also has regular specialist industry tutors, in 2010 the following leading lights taught our Performing Arts Management and Entertainment Technology students:
Brian Boothroyd (Electrician training and farmer), Briar Monro (Producer and Arts Advocate) Bill Guest (Theatre maker, writer, director, props master), Andrew Gibson (Theatre and events mechanist and rigger, Metro Productions), Chris Covich (Props maker), Cathy Knowlsey (Production, Events, Tour Management), Chris Morley-Hall (Cuba St Carnival Director, events management), Chris Prowse (Financial management, accountant, arts advocate), David Patten (Barrister, contract law) Derek Simpson (Production management, set construction), Ed Dennis (Elevated Work Platform training), Gil Craig (Sound designer and engineer), Ian Ferguson (Production management and stage mechanist), Thomas Press (Sound designer, composer), Jane Chewings (Arts marketing), Jo Hiles (Film production management), Lani Morris (Leadership, entrepreneurship and management), Mike Farrand (Lighting, Director MJF Lighting), Nigel Scott (Sound designer, Senior Sound Operator Park Road Post), Sam Johnston (Audio visual production, Multi-Media Sytems) and Steve Sanders (Vectorworks, Grouse Lighting).
Other Staff
Teina Moetara
Context & Practice Senior Tutor
Ko Whiria te Maunga, Ko Te Hokianga te Moana, Ko Pakanae te Marae, Ko Ngati Korokoro te Hapu, Ko Nga Puhi te Iwi.
Ko Manawaru te Maunga, Ko Te Arai te Awa, Ko Manutuke te Marae, Ko Ngati Kaipoho, Ngai Tawhiri nga Hapu, Ko Rongowhakaata te Iwi.
Born and bred in the world of ‘Maori’ Performing Arts, Teina hails from Manutuke, Turanganui-A-Kiwa (Gisborne). A performing member of the internationally recognized Waihirere Maori Club for over 20 years, many of them as a core composer, Teina has since moved on, becoming co-founder and tutor of Tu te Manawa Maurea Kapa Haka.
Whilst assistant principal and head of the immersion unit at Manutuke Primary School, Teina was offered a role in Disney’s theatrical production of The Lion King in Sydney, Melbourne and Shanghai. It was here he became interested in translating forms of the performance across different theatrical contexts. He has since co-directed and performed in a number of shows using tikanga marae frameworks to hold, challenge, support and innovate the creative process, including Manawa Pou, Pakiwaitara and The Trial of the Cannibal Dog for NZ International Arts Festival.
Jade Eriksen
Context & Practice Senior Tutor
Jade grew up in Gisborne, Tairawhiti; of Greek, Irish, Scottish and Danish descent. Since completing a Master of Theatre Arts - Directing from Toi Whakaari/Victoria University, her interest in the area of intercultural politics, identity and composition have led her to work mainly within the devised theatrical form. Jade has directed and devised award winning collaborative works including Yatra, Stamping Grounds, Migrant Nation, arcane and Penumbra as well as leading and directing several seasons of the Toi Whakaari New Zealand Drama School: Go Solo project.
She is a Senior Tutor in Context and Practice at Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School and also teaches and mentors within the Masters of Theatre Arts Directing and Design for Stage and Screen degree.
