About NYDS
In our 35th year, NYDS is thrilled to once again offer world-class instruction in the performing arts including film, theatre, technical theatre, songwriting, dance, circus skills, performance poetry and more.
Aside from the obvious — our mandate is to provide an exceptional calibre of education in the performing arts for youth — NYDS is all about inspiring and connecting our next generation of creative thinkers — that’s you!
Whether you plan to pursue the performing arts further, have other career goals, or aspire to be our future Prime Minister, at NYDS you’ll gain confidence and skills to set you up for life.
Workshops are taught by industry professionals, who are both active in their creative field and passionate about sharing their skills and experience.
NYDS is pretty much a family… but one you get along with! During the school you’ll spend almost every waking moment surrounded by the creative energy of others who share your passion for the arts. Whether it’s learning something mind-blowing in class, getting to know your host family or finding your bearings at the hostel, connecting with some words of wisdom from a guest speaker at a lunch time meeting, being moved by an evening performance, experiencing the adrenaline of being on stage yourself as part of the final ‘Sharing of Work’, or getting your groove on at the Saturday night disco, you’ll be part of it!
Did we also mention that once you’re in, you’re kind of in for life? That’s one of the things we love most about NYDS. Many of our tutors first attended NYDS as students. And with thousands of students since the first NYDS in 1991, it’s pretty hard not to bump into us. You’ll find former NYDS students at the forefront of our creative industries – working as artists, technicians, managers and producers in theatre, film and television, and teaching at top tertiary training institutions in the arts. As a member of this unique creative community, you’ll make invaluable connections and friends for life.
If you would like to see what others have to say about NYDS go to our Testimonals page. Or if you’re ready, Apply Now.
Meet the Team
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Ben Fagan
Artistic Director
Ben is passionate about expanding the horizons of our creative rangatahi. He believes that every young person, whether they are from Kaitaia, Gore or anywhere in between, should have access to top-level practitioners.
As a producer Ben has worked with London Film and Comic Con, NZ Fringe, NZ Poetry Slam, NZ Youth Choir & Choirs Aotearoa NZ. Ben also co-founded Motif Poetry, a charitable trust dedicated to teaching and producing live poetry in Aotearoa, which now runs annual events in Dunedin, Wellington, Hawke’s Bay, Hamilton and Tauranga. He currently works for The Spinoff.
Ben is an accomplished writer and performer, having toured both nationally and internationally. He is a former NYDS student.
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Nicky Spicer
Production Lead
Board of Trustees
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Faafouina Patisolo
Faafouina, aka Ina, is an Auckland freelancer who boasts a BMus in Oboe Performance and 20+ years in the arts. Transitioning from orchestral musician to Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra management, she now merges arts and environmental activism. Key projects include EcoWest Festival’s “Arts on Climate Change,” Bike Avondale cycling events, and creating greater opportunities for Pasifika peoples as part of Whau Pasifika. Ina is also a proud mum of two.
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Rachael Blampied
Rachael, ex-NYDS student and former NYDS Screen Acting tutor, holds a Performing & Screen Arts degree from Unitec. Known for her leading roles in ‘Shortland Street’ and ‘Nancy Wake: The White Mouse’, she has extensive screen credits. A skilled musician, she’s performed at Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park. Based in Auckland, Rachael juggles acting, voice work, and producing TV/film projects – including music videos and commercials.
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Trace Tidd
Trace has been tutoring the Musical Theatre class at NYDS since 2014, advocating for the transformative power of performing arts. Passionate about mentoring youth, she uses the arts to foster purpose, belonging, and lasting connections. Based in sunny Whakatane, Trace balances being a mum with leading Stage Door Performing Arts Academy and thriving as a performer, tutor, vocal coach, director, and singing teacher.
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Brin Rudkin
Brin brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the NYDS Board, where he has been a trustee since 2023. His journey with NYDS began as a student in 2011, later joining our in-house media team to support the school’s creative storytelling. Brin is a skilled broadcaster with over a decade of experience working for New Zealand’s major media companies, including MediaWorks and NZME. His versatile career spans roles as a newsreader, producer, MC and radio presenter.
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Nafanua Kersel
Nafanua is a writer, poet and performer who was born in Samoa and raised in Wellington. A graduate of Te Pūtahi Tuhi Auaha o Te Ao, the International Institute of Modern Letters, she was the recipient of the 2022 Biggs Family Prize in Poetry for her collection ‘Black Sugarcane’. Nafanua has performed or facilitated at writers and arts festivals around the motu. Her poetry has been adapted into dance and theatre and published in anthologies and journals. Nafanua has a degree in social anthropology and lives in Hawke’s Bay with her husband and three children.
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Peter Tihema
Peter (Ngati Kahungunu) hails from Hastings and is a versatile actor, singer, musician and musical director with a deep passion for music and the stage. His love for music saw him directing choirs at the age of 18, and showcasing his piano skills in notable productions like Mary Poppins, Chess, Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar. Peter has served as musical director for many Napier Operatic Society productions, including their acclaimed 2024 season of Jersey Boys. Most recently, Peter captivated audiences as lead role Miss Trunchbull in Napier Operatic’s Matilda. During the NYDS week, Peter is a wonderful piano accompanist for the Musical Theatre class.
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Vanessa Immink