About Us
The Bay Of Plenty Actors Studio is Tauranga’s premier Film and TV Acting School.
The classes are specifically tailored to help our new actors entering or, those actors who are already in the Film and TV Industry.
Our classes, structured for all age groups, are led by experienced tutors who have been trained in the nuances of acting for Film and TV. With extensive years of personal experience as actors in the entertainment industry, our tutors bring a wealth of practical knowledge, and many are actively engaged in the field.
Our mission is to provide an inspiring center for actors to learn the performing arts, our goal is to help encourage our actors to reach their full potential.
We are partnered with agencies who assist local actors with TVC work and gaining television experience. We have classes for all age groups and all our work is done to camera – this is uploaded at the end of each class to a private url for those taking the classes ONLY to view.
The entertainment industry is an exciting one, but one built on high professionalism and those that join our classes will receive the same amount of professionalism as you should expect in this industry – you will also learn about on set etiquette, audition technique and how to market oneself as an actor.
To enrich the learning experience, we occasionally bring in distinguished tutors and organize holiday workshops, enhancing the breadth of knowledge and skills offered at the Bop Actors Studio.
We look forward to working with you/ or your child and we welcome any questions you may have.
Our Team
Tanya Horo / Founder
Tanya Horo is a celebrated artist with over 25 years of experience performing as an actor, singer and writer.
From her years of involvement in the creative industries of New Zealand, Australia and the United States, Tanya has an intimate understanding of how the entertainment business works.
Tanya is very excited about developing and representing the wealth of talent in New Zealand. She and her team are committed to sharing their knowledge, skills, experience and nurturing local talent to achieve success in New Zealand and Internationally.
She is also the founder of the agency, T.M. Horo Management LTD.
Our Tutors
Alyssa Stringfellow/ Tutor
Alyssa Stringfellow is a professional actor, writer, and director based in Mount Maunganui, and a passionate tutor at BOPAS.
Known for co-creating and starring in the locally shot comedy pilot Chloe and the..., Alyssa brings real-world screen experience and a strong connection to storytelling rooted in honesty and humour.
As a mentor, she is deeply committed to supporting actors both creatively and emotionally—championing mental health and self-worth in an often tough industry. Her classes focus not just on performance technique, but on helping young actors develop resilience, confidence, and a strong sense of identity on and off screen.
Chloe Parker / Tutor
Chloe Parker was born to perform. Acting runs through her veins—she lives, breathes, and embodies the craft with unwavering dedication. From a young age, Chloe has immersed herself in training, constantly refining her skills and deepening her understanding of the art form. Rarely seen without an acting technique book in hand, she is not only a committed student of acting but also a generous mentor, passionate about guiding and inspiring young, motivated performers.
Chloe’s talent has led her to star in the stunningly shot short film Earthling, and she has recently been cast as a lead in the highly anticipated television series The Ridge. A favourite among casting directors both in New Zealand and abroad
We are absolutely thrilled to have Chloe as part of the BOPAS team.
Mark Vevers / Tutor
Mark Vevers is a distinguished talent in the world of entertainment. He is celebrated for his exceptional skills as a physical comedy actor, improv extraordinaire, and his many screen and stage achievements.
Mark has had several roles in Film and Television. He has recently acted for Shortland Street, been in the short films; The Cliché, What You Can’t See, and starred in TV advertisements.
Mark has a degree in Drama and Script Writing from Northumbria University in England
He had an influential role as a founding member of the Improvisation group, 'Damp Knight comedy' in the United Kingdom. One of Mark's most notable achievements has been his portrayal of Miss Trunchbull in 2023 in the acclaimed stage adaptation of "Matilda." This transformative role showcased his extraordinary talent and garnered a plethora of rave reviews.
We are super excited that Mark is joining our talented team of Tutors at BOPAS!
Ngahiriwia Rauhina / Guest Tutor
Ngahiriwa is a talented and accomplished actor, known for his powerful performances and deep connection to his Māori heritage.
We are lucky to have Ngahiriwa as a Tutor for our Rotorua classes and workshops.
Ngahiriwia Rauhina is represented by The Pro Actors.
Maria Momint / Guest Tutor
Maria serves as a tutor for our 'Silver Screen' actors aged 60 and above, our differently-abled students in our Supernova Classes and our younger students under 12yrs.
Renowned for her compassion and exceptional tutoring skills, Maria has a profound understanding of how to bring out the best in our students. Beyond her role, she generously volunteers for Daffodil Day, contributing to her well-established presence in the local community. Maria is widely recognized for her unwavering determination to create positive changes in people's lives. We consider ourselves fortunate to have Maria dedicated to our over-60s and differently-abled students.