What We Do

what we do on sundays

At AYA Drama School Sundays, prospective students aged 10-19 years audition for their place in the school annually. Auditions are held in February each year.  We are looking for motivated young actors who want a challenge working and playing alongside likeminded peers. AYA students are prepared in all aspects of performance including voice, movement, improvisation, stagecraft, script analysis, characterisation, and monologue and scene work.

We provide the space and encouragement for committed students to develop their creativity, uniqueness, strength and confidence. And we have earned the reputation for training talented young professionals, allowing us to cultivate professional relationships with acting agents, casting directors and theatre companies seeking young performers.

Classes are grouped by age and maturity. Class sizes are limited to ensure individual attention and to enable a student’s work progress and artistic development to be observed and nurtured in a collaborative and supportive environment.

what we do in studio sessions

Inside AYA Drama Studio Sessions we periodically run workshops and classes for motivated adult students to learn the craft of acting, and for professional actors to sharpen their skills and keep their acting muscles fit. These include: intro to acting for adults, scene study, camera craft, American accent, US pilot season prep, and monologue work. These workshops are for actors aged 18 and up. You can find out about upcoming classes here and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay in the loop. 

What we do in drama specialties

Through AYA Drama Specialties, Jacque and Jeff have assisted actors of all ages in securing casting and acquiring placement with professional talent agents in NZ, Australia and the US. Our students have been accepted into tertiary-level drama schools in Aotearoa/New Zealand, including: Toi Whakaari o Aotearoa, Unitec School of Performing and Screen Arts, South Seas Film & Television School, and The Actors’ Program. We have also seen our students receive placements at prestigious International acting programs at  NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Boston University, Columbia University, and the Atlantic School in New York City.

Jacque and Jeff can offer one-to-one coaching for actors of all ages who want to undertake concentrated work in preparation for general auditions, US pilot season, entry into tertiary drama schools, self-tape work (in which we can supply a camera with shotgun mic for recording sessions), and voice and accent acquisition for performance or public speaking.