Nicole Whippy: Acting for Stage and Screen Tutor

Nicole has been a passionate force in the industry for over 25 years, working extensively as an actor, director, and acting tutor on stage and screen. With seven years of experience teaching both adults and children, she brings a wealth of knowledge to every class and project she leads. Her career highlights include starring roles in iconic productions like the BBC Christmas Special Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World, playing Kasey on Outrageous Fortune, and portraying Michelle on Nothing Trivial, a role that earned her TV Guide Best Actress nominations two years in a row.

Nicole’s talents extend behind the camera as well. She was a writer and director for the acclaimed feature film Vai, produced by the team behind Waru, and she directed the popular TVNZ tween series The Feijoa Club. In 2024, Nicole was selected as one of five female filmmakers for the DEGNZ Emerging Female Filmmakers Incubator

Beyond the screen, Nicole has taught Director Actor Workshops for DEGNZ and PISA (Pacific Island Screen Artists), worked with SAE students in Parnell, and provided one-on-one audition training for New Zealand’s top acting agency, Johnson & Laird Management. She has also been a Duffy Books in Schools Ambassador, helping inspire young minds through storytelling.

Committed to nurturing future talent, Nicole regularly tutors at The Actors Program, where she has recently just directed their end-of-year short films. For the last three years, she has been a judge for the Popoprazzi Pasifika Youth Short Film Competition, furthering her dedication to supporting the next generation of filmmakers and performers.

Acacia O’CONNOR: Acting for Screen Tutor

Acacia O’Connor is a vivacious and dedicated young actor who grew up as a travelling musician. Since graduating Toi Whakaari in 2017 she has worked passionately at her craft and explored her identity as an artist.

Her film and television highlights include South Pacific Pictures The Brokenwood Mysteries season 9, A Mistake directed by Christine Jeffs and starring Elizabeth Banks, Great Southern Television’s horror web-series The Basement which inspired her to write her own show For Your Satisfaction.

Her theatre work has been fruitful and rewarding and it has been in this field she has connected deeply to her Māoritanga, working in plays such as He Turu Mau, for which she took on the challenge of learning the cello, Auckland Theatre Company’s Mahuika! and full-immersion kids show Te Mahi A Rahi, which included a full-immersion te reo rehearsal room thanks to Te Pou Theatre.

MOLLY CURNOW: ACTING AND SINGING TUTOR

Molly Curnow is an actor and musician hailing from the beaches of Northland. Molly grew up immersed in theatre, and has spent the last few years working as an actor in film, television & stage productions.

In 2024, she appeared on kiwi screens as a supporting lead in TVNZ's 'Testify'. She has also been enjoying teaching drama & singing to tamariki all around Auckland. Molly cultivates a joyful, supportive environment in her classes that encourages students to be themselves, work collaboratively and grow confidence.

When she isn’t teaching or acting professionally, Molly spends her time getting crafty with crochet, noodling around on the guitar or lying in the sun with her cat.