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
Sapphire Rose Heaton/ Tutor
Sapphire Rose Heaton is a professionally trained actor, singer-songwriter, and acting coach with a BA (Hons) in Acting from Bath Spa University.
Her training is grounded in truthful, character-led performance, with a strong emphasis on emotional authenticity and presence on camera. Alongside her acting work, Sapphire is a musician who writes her own songs and plays the ukulele.
Since graduating, Sapphire has worked professionally across both stage and screen. She toured with a professional theatre company across the South West of England, developing strong discipline and adaptability, and has since appeared in a range of films, gaining valuable experience in naturalistic, screen-focused performance.
Creatively, Sapphire enjoys working across styles, from bold comedy and physical storytelling to grounded, realistic screen work. As an acting coach, she specialises in helping performers translate technique into authentic, camera-ready performances. She fosters a supportive, playful space where actors can take risks, trust their instincts, and build confidence, while developing the precision, truthfulness, and emotional connection required for screen acting.
Adam Hogg / Tutor
Adam Hogg is a cinematographer whose work is grounded in a strong understanding of performance and storytelling.
With formal training in acting alongside his technical filmmaking background, Adam brings a rare actor-aware approach to the camera, creating an environment where performers feel supported, understood, and able to do their best work.
His practice sits at th
He brings together a strong technical eye with a genuine understanding of performance, allowing him to frame scenes with both visual precision and emotional intelligence.
Focused on screen work, Adam is known for collaborating closely with actors, shaping visuals that serve the story, the character, and the moment — not just the shot.
As a tutor, Adam is known for his gentle, supportive approach and his ability to meet actors exactly where they are. With a particular interest in Michael Chekhov’s technique, he encourages curiosity, imagination, and embodied storytelling, creating a calm and generous space for actors to explore their work with confidence.
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.