Australia’s world-famous National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) has opened its applications to study in 2020 for the next generation of artists, technicians and creatives. Applications are open for all of NIDA’s Master, Bachelor and Diploma courses and all aspiring creatives are encouraged to apply.
New in 2020, its highly competitive Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting) course is offering a Singing Actor stream. The move recognises the increasing opportunities for actors to take lead roles in musical theatre productions, such as for example, recent graduate Mark Hill performing the role of Riff in the Opera Australia production of West Side Story.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting) is led by the Director, Centre for Acting, John Bashford with the new Singing Actor stream coordinated by NIDA’s Head of Music, Andrew Ross. NIDA’s Executive Director Conservatoire Dr Amanda Morris said that the move responds to the demands of an ever-changing performance industry. "NIDA students already work with leading industry experts in their field, and the Singing Actor stream will not be any different, with students working with guest directors, choreographers and musical directors."
From a legacy in dramatic arts education that spans 60 years, the talented graduates of NIDA can be found across the world, in major performing arts organisations, television and film companies and ensembles. Named in the top ten of Hollywood Reporter’s world’s best drama schools, NIDA’s alumni work across the world as actors, directors, writers, designers, costume and properties creators, screen and stage managers and technicians. Award-winning actors Cate Blanchett, Baz Luhrmann, Judy Davis, Yael Stone, Remy Hii, Rob Collins, Miranda Tapsell and Miranda Otto learnt their craft here. Designers Fiona Crombie (The Favourite) and Deborah Riley (HBO Drama series Game of Thrones) studied at NIDA, along with costume designer Edie Kurzer (Picnic at Hanging Rock) to name just a handful of award-winning theatre, film and television artists.
NIDA’s recent 2018 graduates who have achieved acclaim include Yerin Ha, cast in the upcoming Spielberg-produced Showtime series Halo, Joseph Althouse stunning the critics in Angels in America and now at Sydney Theatre Company’s Lord of the Flies, and Laurence Boxhall in Melbourne Theatre Company’s Shakespeare in Love.
Depending on the course, applicants must be prepared to audition, or prepare a portfolio or attend an interview. Courses are offered at the Sydney Kensington campus in Master of Fine Arts in Cultural Leadership, Design for Performance, Directing, Voice and Writing for Performance; a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting, Costume, Design for Performance, Properties and Objects, Scenic Construction and Technologies, and Technical Theatre and Stage Management; and a Vocational Diploma in Live Production and Technical Services, Musical Theatre, Screen and Media (Specialist Make-up Services) and Stage and Screen Performance.
To register your interest and for information about applications, visit apply.nida.edu.au
Photo credit Patrick Boland
