Performing Arts Groups

All classes are taught by Adriana Harper ARAD & Solo Seal BBO Rts, with occasional guest teachers. “We aim to develop the natural talent for dance in girls & boys aged four upwards in keeping with my philosophy of training students for a high degree of ability in all dance styles.”

Created after COVID-19 led to a constant stream of cancellations in the performing arts industry, the Barden Party performs theatre, comedy and live music in gardens, parks, private homes, boats, and occasionally theatres.

Birdlife Productions (aka Bridget and Roger Sanders) is an award-winning professional theatre partnership with a passion for communicating a greater dimension of the world through Puppetry, Masks, Music and Storytelling. They produce original high-quality New Zealand theatre using their hallmark hand-made low-tech aesthetic and intimate, sophisticated storytelling techniques, with a commitment to inspire, delight and inform.

Celtic Pipe Band inc. is an organisation that displays high quality music, professionalism, inclusiveness and mentorship. They strive to include all, regardless of skill level. Everyone has a place so long as they contribute positively to the culture of the team.

New Zealand's premiere Irish music event, Ceol Aneas is one of Australasia's major Irish music gatherings, attracting musicians and traditional Irish music lovers from around New Zealand and overseas.

Fargher Academy of Dance is dedicated to the development of young talent, and offers professional, quality tuition in Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary and Hip Hop.

Histrionics is well known for their reenactments of local stories, with decades of theatre experience in areas as varied as writing, production, directing and set building.  

Legacy Dance offers quality and specialist training for all dancers in all genres. Contact them to find out more and live out your dance LEGACY.

As well as running and performing at The Loft, the team also brings some of their productions to the Theatre Royal.

A brass band of the British Tradition lead by British-born musical director Nigel Weeks. Established in 1857 as part of the military and with roots going back to 1841, Nelson City Brass is one of the oldest Brass Bands in New Zealand.

The Gillian Francis Nelson Academy of Dance provides recreational dance classes for pupils aged three and a half years and over, specializing in classical ballet. All students sit yearly examinations and participate in our productions at the Theatre Royal. Students are most welcome to come and try a lesson for free.

Welcoming spring to Nelson, the annual Nelson Arts Festival presents a wide variety of events including theatre, music, dance, comedy, community events, visual arts, and a literary programme - Pukapuka Talks. 

Nelson Civic Choir sing a variety of choral music ranging from the Classics to more contemporary favourites. A non-auditioned choir of all ages, new members with a passion for choral singing are welcomed.

Held annually in autumn, the Fringe brings local, national and international alternative theatre, comedy, improv, music and other performing arts to the Nelson community. It is intimate and community-centric, helping performers develop and show their work.

Nelson Musical Theatre has been a part of the Nelson Theatre Scene since the late 1800s. One of the oldest Musical Theatre Societies in New Zealand, they have been creating amazing shows for over 120 years. NMT has their own performance space, the Red Door Theatre, located near Founders Heritage Park, as well as an extensive selection of costumes for hire.

Nelson Repertory Theatre is a not-for-profit community theatre group based at the Theatre Royal. Repertory stages a variety of shows each year, all done voluntarily by a band of dedicated members who are passionate about live theatre.

A Scouts Gangshow is a revue or variety show for all ages. Done every two years, the Gangshow is a fun filled family show, with well-known songs and sketches for the whole family.

Nelson Showgirl Academy offers a wide range of burlesque classes and events, from intimate speakeasy experiences to full on showgirl extravaganzas.

Nelson Summer Shakespeare brings accessible, professional Shakespeare to Te Tau Ihu. Playing open air venues in January, with full productions suitable for the whole family.

Nelson Youth Theatre stages multiple musicals and plays each year. It is run totally by volunteers, and caters for children as young as 4 up to the age of 25 (and occasionally beyond!). NYTC also runs holiday programmes and courses from time to time to further enhance student learning and growth.

Award-winning writer and producer Justin Eade runs Northpark Productions, which produces professional theatre and film, often based on local historical stories, for example Maungatapu and The Wairau Affray.

The Peta Spooner Academy of Dance is a secure and stimulating environment to develop and perfect your dance skills. The Academy offers dance classes from beginners to advanced and for all ages. The experienced teachers seek to inspire dancers to achieve their potential. 

Award-winning Piece of Work Productions creates theatre and gives opportunities to emerging performing artists and theatre practitioners.

The Professional Theatre Company is Nelson’s brand-new home of storytelling. At the heart of TPTC is an annual programme of entertaining, moving and thought-provoking productions. These include newly commissioned works by talented NZ playwrights, beloved classics, and stories that reflect our place, our whānau, our challenges and our joys.

New Zealand’s only nationwide, live, original music, youth music competitions. Founded in 1989 by music teachers Glenn Common and Pete Rainey, Smokefree Rockquest, Showquest and Rockshop Bandquests have become New Zealand institutions, reaching audience numbers in excess of 10,000 every year.

SOUNDSTAGE is a professional music and performing arts school, offering classes and individual tuition to people of all ages and abilities. From casual classes that don’t require a lot of commitment, to exams through examination bodies such as Trinity Guildhall of London and The New Zealand Association of Modern Dance. 

Theatresports classes for youths and adults. Learn improv skills of listening, accepting offers, being spontaneous and theatresports game rules, plus meet like-minded people. Youth classes can lead into Nelson Tasman Theatresports competition. For more info email Nikkie Karki: [email protected]

Vast Dance Festival celebrates the combined talents of high school students in the Top of the South. The Festival’s aims are to provide opportunities for students to perform in a professional environment, celebrate the wide range of styles taught, provide a platform for student choreographers, and to give practical experience with lighting, front of house, design and stage management.