Unleash your creative potential

If you’ve dreamed of developing your skills in the performing arts, there’s a NIDA Studio course for you.
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NIDA Studio courses offer a unique chance for young people (15-18 years) to develop skills in the performing arts.

These intensive, part-time courses are held on weekends over six or twelve months in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Courses are available in acting, directing, writing, filmmaking and musical theatre, and build on students’ existing strengths to teach them how to tell and interpret stories in new ways.

View courses here

Tricia Ryan, Head of NIDA Open, said the Studio courses are designed for young people specifically so they can discover if professional training in the performing arts is the right path for them, before committing to full time study.

‘A number of our students go on to audition for a Higher Education course here at NIDA or at other institutions. Of course we encourage people to apply to the NIDA full time courses when they complete a Studio course, however there are a number of paths into the performing arts and entertainment industries and we encourage students to use their studio experience to support their creative ambitions, wherever they may lie.’

A NIDA Studio course can even become a platform for international experience.

After completing the Young Actors Studio course, Violet Simpson was among 40 students worldwide to be selected to attend the Yale Summer Conservatory for Actors. ‘The program ran for five weeks, focusing on the principles of Stanislavski, and was fantastic. My experience in the Young Actors Studio strongly contributed to my acceptance into the competitive Yale course, and I am excited to continue to build upon what I have learned,’ Simpson said.

‘In addition to performance techniques and the core course components, the year-long program taught me time management skills and how to collaborate with others, and instilled in me a greater passion for acting. However, the greatest lesson I learnt was the importance of dedication. The Young Actors Studio is filled with opportunities for learning and development, so the amount that a student benefits from the course is completely dependent on how much they are willing to put in.’

What NIDA is looking for

Applicants for the 2017 Studios are selected through an audition or interview process that involves a workshop component. Auditions and interviews for 2017 intake will take place this December and January.

Application information available on each course page

Tricia Ryan said applicants will also be assessed on their ability to work as part of an ensemble.

‘Whether you are a director, actor or writer, the creative process is as much about your relationship to the people you are working with and your audience as it is about you.  We are seeking young artists who want to train as part of a collective.’

She suggests Acting applicants complete a drama class or short course to get an idea of what happens inside a rehearsal room before auditioning.

‘Some young artists may not believe their experience is enough to audition for a program such as Studios but that may not be the case. The NIDA Open team can guide prospective Studio students through what they need to do before they get to the audition to make them Studio audition-ready,’ said Ryan.

To talk to someone about the best NIDA Studio course for you, call NIDA Open on 02 9697 7626. 

Brooke Boland
About the Author
Brooke Boland is a freelance writer based on the South Coast of NSW. She has a PhD in literature from the University of NSW. You can find her on Instagram @southcoastwriter.