Screen Acting: Growing Good People at BOPAS

At Bay of Plenty Actors Studio (BOPAS), we believe screen acting is more than learning how to hit your mark or remember your lines. It’s about becoming good people. When we train actors, we’re not just preparing them for auditions or roles—we’re nurturing human beings who are compassionate, resilient, and curious about the world around them.

Training for the Screen—and for Life

Yes, we train for the screen. We teach the craft, the business side, and the discipline required to succeed in this industry. But we also teach something deeper: the value of empathy. To embody a character truthfully, an actor must understand the world beyond themselves. That requires compassion, awareness, and honesty. The more we understand the world, the more we can serve our characters in ways that resonate with audiences and with ourselves.

Hard Work, Honesty, and Fun

At BOPAS, we don’t babysit. We train. Our sessions are built on hard work, collaboration, and dedication. Acting, no matter your age, must be fun—because fun is at the heart of creativity. We balance the cerebral with the light-hearted, the discipline with the joy. It’s a dance between challenge and play, which is exactly what the actor’s job requires.

Why Neurology Matters

Behind every performance is a brain that’s firing, creating, connecting. Neurology shows us how our differences make us who we are. Understanding what makes us tick—and respecting the unique wiring of every actor—helps us foster a safe, inclusive space. This isn’t just about acting; it’s about growing vibrant minds that can think in new ways, embrace difference, and bring authenticity into imaginary circumstances.

Storytelling That Matters

All our stories are important. At BOPAS, we ask: How do we tell them? By cultivating honesty, courage, and curiosity, we help our actors bring stories to life with depth and truth. Whether on set or in rehearsal, our students learn that acting is about serving the story and serving the human connections at its core.

A Place to Grow

Joining BOPAS isn’t just “something to do after school.” It’s a place to grow, breathe, trust your instincts, and thrive. Here, you are safe to take risks, explore who you are, and discover the joy of storytelling alongside others who are just as passionate as you.

As the proverb says:“He tangata takahi manuhiri, he marae puehu. He tangata manaaki manuhiri, he marae tū tonu.”(A person who mistreats guests will have a dusty marae. A person who is hospitable will have a thriving marae.)

At BOPAS, we welcome every actor as whānau. Together, we grow, we create, and we thrive.

Welcome to your creative home at BOPAS.

Sign up today.

[Pic below is of the 48hrs BOPAS team]