Whanganui Performing Arts - Competitions & Academy

04/09/2026

Congratulations 🥳

01/09/2026

🧴 URGENT CALL FOR HYGIENE PRODUCTS 🧼

Whatever Whanganui urgently needs hygiene products to support young people in our community.

Community House Whanganui is encouraging local businesses, offices, organisations and community groups to get involved. Why not organise a collection amongst your staff or members, purchase a few items in bulk, and drop your donations off to Whatever?

Every contribution, big or small, will help ensure our young people have access to the everyday hygiene essentials they need.

💛 Let’s get behind Whatever and support our local youth.

Please see the flyer below for details on what is needed and where to drop off your donations.

🧴 URGENT CALL FOR HYGIENE PRODUCTS 🧼

Whatever urgently needs hygiene products to support young people in our community.

We’re encouraging local businesses, offices, organisations and community groups to get involved. Why not organise a collection amongst your staff or members, purchase a few items in bulk, and drop your donations off to Whatever?

Every contribution, big or small, will help ensure our young people have access to the everyday hygiene essentials they need.

💛 Let’s get behind Whatever and support our local youth.

Please see the flyer below for details on what is needed and where to drop off your donations.

28/08/2026

🎟️ Giveway!!
4 tickets to the production of Hadestown!
Super exciting to be able to support this Giveaway!

Head to the Cullinane College post, to “like, comment & share” to be in to win!

🎭 About - Hadestown is an award-winning musical by singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell that retells two interconnected ancient Greek myths set against a Depression-era, New Orleans-inspired jazz and folk backdrop.

Send a message to learn more

24/08/2026

🚨Attention Soloist PACANZ Nominees!

Important information from Performing Arts Competitions Association of NZ - 30TH AUGUST IS CLOSING DATE FOR ALL SOLOISTS. Double check and make sure all of your info has been sent in now! 🚨

30TH AUGUST IS CLOSING DATE FOR ALL SOLOISTS. Double check and make sure all of your info has been sent in now! 🚨🚨🚨

24/08/2026

🫶Troupe Sessions for the 2026 Performing Arts Competitions Association of NZ are out now!

A huge congratulations and very best of luck to our nominees in the troupe section!

THESPA: The Space of Performing Arts Musical Theatre : Moulin Rouge 🇫🇷
Wellington Dance Academy Jazz : Disco Snails 🐌

17/08/2026

WCS Membership Applications now open!
Link: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSeXtploaOX.../viewform...
Membership Applications Now Open!
November 2026 - October 2027
Memberships last one financial year (November 2026 - October 2027).
Membership must be renewed each year, to continue to receive member pricing.
Memberships are confirmed by the WCS Committee and an invoice will be sent out to successful applicants by our treasurer after approval at an official committee meeting.
Academy, PerformAble & Production Cast are required to become members of WCS.
Membership fee: $10.00 child (under 18 years)
Membership fee: $15.00 adult (18-65 years)
Membership fee: $12.50 senior (65+ years)
Approved members will be sent an invoice for payment of member fee.
Membership Perks:
Workshops FREE for members only in 2027
Voting rights at the Annual General Meeting (if 18+)
Discounted rates where applicable across services offered by WCS (e.g. Competitions, Concerts, Productions, and Workshops)
Membership discounts, or free workshop attendance is only applied to the named member. An example being if a parent has a membership, their membership does not mean that their child will receive member pricing. The child will need their own membership, for pricing to apply.

WCS Membership Applications now open!
Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeXtploaOXU4RSIYR8nq0PiI0eqOxOFKYnG2jPMRHIXq5Wezw/viewform?usp=dialog

Membership Applications Now Open!

November 2026 - October 2027

Memberships last one financial year (November 2026 - October 2027).
Membership must be renewed each year, to continue to receive member pricing.
Memberships are confirmed by the WCS Committee and an invoice will be sent out to successful applicants by our treasurer after approval at an official committee meeting.
Academy, PerformAble & Production Cast are required to become members of WCS.
Membership fee: $10.00 child (under 18 years)
Membership fee: $15.00 adult (18-65 years)
Membership fee: $12.50 senior (65+ years)
Approved members will be sent an invoice for payment of member fee.

Membership Perks:
Workshops FREE for members only in 2027
Voting rights at the Annual General Meeting (if 18+)
Discounted rates where applicable across services offered by WCS (e.g. Competitions, Concerts, Productions, and Workshops)
Membership discounts, or free workshop attendance is only applied to the named member. An example being if a parent has a membership, their membership does not mean that their child will receive member pricing. The child will need their own membership, for pricing to apply.

12/08/2026

🎭 Support Whanganui Performing Arts in 2026–2027 🎭

Our 2025–2026 season saw 700+ young performers take to stages across Whanganui, with some also performing at national performing arts events in Palmerston North.

We’re now looking for local businesses, organisations and individuals to support our 2026–2027 season.

Donations start from just $20 and help cover the costs of our programmes, workshops, productions and competitions, as well as supporting our volunteers and providing scholarships for young performers.

A major focus for the coming season is expanding PerformAble, our programme supporting local performers with disabilities. We want to provide more regular opportunities for participants to learn, develop skills, build confidence and perform.

Larger donation options are also available to support individual festivals or become an annual sponsor of PerformAble, with advertising and other supporter benefits included at selected levels.

As a registered charity, eligible donations can be receipted for tax purposes.

Want to support us?
Email our Secretary at [email protected] to find out more or request our 2026–2027 sponsorship options.

Every contribution helps us keep young people performing on stage. 🎭

05/08/2026

Scholarships Currently Open for application, via Public Trust.

While these may not suit Whanganui students, there are a number of options for other young performers around the country, looking for scholarships relating to varying performing arts.

The O'Donnell Trust Fund Scholarships
The O’Donnell grants are awarded to assist students that reside within the funding area around Palmerston North to advance their education of music, ballet or singing by undertaking study with an appropriate university, polytechnic, school or academy in New Zealand or overseas.
Link: https://www.publictrust.co.nz/grants/the-o-donnell-trust-fund/

The James (Senior) & Mary Garcia Scholarship
The James (Senior) & Mary Garcia Scholarships were established under the Will of Veda Garcia in 2008. The purpose of the Trust is to provide scholarships in perpetuity to assist school leavers aiming to further their education in the area of journalism and Music. The Scholarships are open to students whose permanent residence is in the Taranaki district, with preference to be given to former Westown Primary School Student. The Scholarship is managed and administered by Public Trust.
Link: https://www.publictrust.co.nz/grants/the-james-senior-and-mary-garcia-scholarship/

The John Burns Award for Courage and Perseverance
The John Burns Award for Courage and Perseverance is granted to tertiary students living in the Wellington region who have exhibited outstanding qualities of courage and perseverance in the face of adversity, including health, disability and family circumstances.
Link: https://www.publictrust.co.nz/grants/the-john-burns-award-for-courage-and-perseverance/

The John Burns Award for Courage and Perseverance is granted to tertiary students living in the Wellington region who have exhibited outstanding qualities of courage and perseverance in the face of adversity, including health, disability and family circumstances.

30/07/2026

WCS Membership Applications now open!
Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeXtploaOXU4RSIYR8nq0PiI0eqOxOFKYnG2jPMRHIXq5Wezw/viewform?usp=dialog

Membership Applications Now Open!

November 2026 - October 2027

Memberships last one financial year (November 2026 - October 2027).
Membership must be renewed each year, to continue to receive member pricing.
Memberships are confirmed by the WCS Committee and an invoice will be sent out to successful applicants by our treasurer after approval at an official committee meeting.
Academy, PerformAble & Production Cast are required to become members of WCS.
Membership fee: $10.00 child (under 18 years)
Membership fee: $15.00 adult (18-65 years)
Membership fee: $12.50 senior (65+ years)
Approved members will be sent an invoice for payment of member fee.

Membership Perks:
Workshops FREE for members only in 2027
Voting rights at the Annual General Meeting (if 18+)
Discounted rates where applicable across services offered by WCS (e.g. Competitions, Concerts, Productions, and Workshops)
Membership discounts, or free workshop attendance is only applied to the named member. An example being if a parent has a membership, their membership does not mean that their child will receive member pricing. The child will need their own membership, for pricing to apply.

20/07/2026

The Jolly Roger set sail from Bee You Studios to the Opera House today!

Book your tickets to see Peter Pan on Saturday 25th of July at 3pm from the Opera House box office or online: https://rwoh.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/sales