Personal lives clash with professional aspirations in this series about first-year students at Wellington's drama school Toi Whakaari. Nerves are frayed as the students' first professional production looms. As they rehearse Shakespeare scenes, distractions are everywhere. Hollie is grieving after news of an accident and class romances are put to the test when partners perform intimate scenes with colleagues. When Sophie sleeps in and misses a rehearsal, she faces serious consequences. Tough Act was nominated for Best Reality Series at the 2007 Air NZ Screen Awards.