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.
David has worked as a professional actor in theatre, film, and television since graduating from Unitec Performing and Screen Arts in 2002. His acting credits include James Cameron’s Avatar, Sione’s Wedding, Cowboy Bebop, and Sweet Tooth. He has also worked as a Children’s Acting Coach on Sweet Tooth, Lord of the Rings: The Ring of Power, Friends Like Her, and Minecraft.
