From the young to the wise, three women involved with The Auckland Performing Arts Centre (TAPAC) share how the organisation fosters creativity, confidence and community. The centre is supported by the Waitematā Local Board with regular operational funding, including $100,000 this year.
Fourteen-year-old Margaux began aerial circus classes at TAPAC at age eight and now works as an assistant tutor for younger students. She says the centre has shaped both her skills and her sense of belonging.
“I like the creative freedom that we’re given at TAPAC. I’ve learnt so many cool tricks, but I’ve also been given the freedom to add my own little twist to them and make them unique,” says Margaux.
“The TAPAC community is part of the reason why I go there. It’s really wonderful and welcoming and the people always seem joyful. They’re really accepting and encouraging.
"It’s definitely a place where I’ve made some of my closest friends."
The venue’s professional theatre has also given her performance experience and confidence, helping her grow beyond the classroom and take part in festivals and shows.
“I want to keep learning new skills and developing my style and who I am in circus to be able to perform and contribute more in new shows.”
Education and communications co-ordinator Nieve Wilson joined TAPAC after completing her dance degree in 2023, initially as bookings coordinator before moving into her current job.
“I started in the bookings coordinator role when I finished my dance degree in 2023,” says Nieve. “It really intrigued me because it’s involved with the performing arts world which I’m very passionate about.
“Then there was an opportunity to move up into these other roles which I was very grateful for. It’s been pretty exciting to learn a variety of things and try on all the different hats.”
Nieve describes TAPAC’s community as “incredibly varied”, with classes for toddlers through to seniors and participants from many cultural backgrounds.
“That is the whole ethos of TAPAC – that everyone is welcome here. We all have this space that we can come to, and it’s generally just a very happy place.”
To keep classes accessible, TAPAC offers free trials and selected funded programmes, including seniors’ classes and children’s cultural dance initiatives.
“We offer free Siva Samoa dance classes for children, in collaboration with Pacific Dance New Zealand. It’s so cool to see, a lot of the children are connecting to their culture through the class, and we’ve had a lot of great feedback.”
Fairy Clare.
Clare Battersby has taught at TAPAC since it opened in 2003. A children’s dance teacher and performer known as Fairy Clare, she values both the venue and its versatility.
“I loved it when we started working there,” says Clare.
“Such amazing architecture, which is part of the fabric of it, with a very inviting, beautiful, grand entrance.”
She makes full use of the studio and theatre spaces to build children’s confidence and sense of wonder.
“They come to a dance class, and they learn that dance isn’t just about doing the steps right,” explains Clare.
“Dance is designed for joy, a sense of freedom, and learning that your body can do so many things. You learn empathy, you learn from each other.”
Clare believes TAPAC’s strength lies in its community.
“One thing that is really strong about TAPAC, is that the community starts with pre-schoolers like my ones, but it [encompasses everyone including] industry professionals.”
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