Our Governance
The Auckland Performing Arts Centre at Western Springs Incorporated is a registered Charitable Trust run by our dedicated Board of Directors who meet on a bi-monthly basis.
TAPAC Board Members
Tricia Reade (Chairperson), Peter Greenall (Treasurer), Ivan Davis, Jan McCartney QC, Robert Pollock, Robert Hunte, Craig Moller and Stacy Busek. .
The TAPAC Team
TAPAC is run by a small but dedicated team of passionate professionals with a deep understanding of both the business and creative sides of the performing arts.
Executive Director: Sarah Somerville
Sarah’s career has spanned all aspects of theatre production from performance and production to producing, teaching and fundraising. She has worked with professional theatre companies and arts festivals across the country and has owned and operated her own production company, Phineas Phrog Productions, which created and told unique New Zealand stories for family audiences. The company produced over 60 live theatre productions and eight national tours. Sarah has spent the last 5 years working as the Public Programmes Manager at Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT), where she was responsible for creating an engaging yearly programme of events and experiences. Sarah has performed at Wellington’s Circa and Downstage theatres, Court Theatre (Christchurch), Fortune Theatre (Dunedin), and for Auckland Theatre Company and South Pacific Pictures. She was also a solo vocalist for the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. Sarah studied at Trinity College, London, earning a Licentiate Diploma for Performing and an Associate Diploma for Teaching. She has a Post Graduate Diploma from Mountview Theatre Conservatoire, London and a Bachelor of Arts (English Literature) from Otago University. Sarah is passionate about the performing arts and creating safe, inclusive spaces for creative communities. She believes that theatre plays a vital role in society and provides a platform for inspiration, education, innovation, and social change.
Performing Arts Education Programmes: Terry Hooper
Terry is a highly experienced performing arts professional who was formerly the Theatre Manager at Auckland’s Whoa Studios. He is a founding member of The Acting Collective, Crossfade Productions and Act One Productions and has worked as a directing and acting tutor for over a decade. Terry trained at the Rose Bruford School of Speech and Drama in the United Kingdom and worked for six years as a professional actor in many London theatres and in Europe. He has directed for a number of youth theatres and has worked closely with homeless and displaced people. Terry is passionate about using the performing arts as a mechanism for finding people’s potential and helping them to bring about positive change to their lives.
Community & Communications Coordinator : Briana Duffy
Briana is an artist and arts administrator who has worked in curator, communications and administration positions for various arts organisations including Window Gallery, Pah Homestead Gallery and The James Wallace Arts Trust. With a Bachelor's and Master’s degree in Fine Art, Briana is passionate about supporting the community’s development of creative skills and collaborating with artists, performers and educators. She has also worked as a research assistant with the University of Auckland’s Toitū te Ngahere project, which develops arts-based projects for young people to better understand ecological issues. Of Māori, Pakeha and Rarotongan heritage, Briana is committed to building the capability and audiences of Tāmaki Makaurau’s diverse communities.
Accounts Administrator: Ana Hiini
Ana has been a welcoming face on Auckland’s hospitality scene for over 30 years. Behind the scenes, Ana has been responsible for managing the accounts at many of the hospitality establishments she has worked for. She is now using her skills to look after the accounts at TAPAC, including invoicing and financial reporting.
Funding Manager: Cinna Smith
Cinna is a journalist and researcher who has written for TV, print and online mediums. She has a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in politics and drama and a Diploma in Broadcast Journalism from NZBS.