Head of Acting & Performance (Course Leader)

Shape the Future of Acting and Performance Training at NIDA.

The National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) is Australia’s national dramatic arts educator and innovator. It plays a central role in identifying and developing creative talent, focussing on fostering storytellers who contribute to an ever-expanding national story. Through this work, NIDA helps position Australia as one of the most creative, inspiring, and future-ready nations in the world.

NIDA’s unparalleled rigour, practice-based learning, connections to industry, and culture of innovation have produced some of the world’s most influential and in-demand storytellers across stage, screen, and new digital platforms. NIDA graduates are everywhere – in theatre, film, television, dance, opera, live events, interactive gaming, and often take their skills outside of arts and entertainment.

They win Academy Awards, design games, ceremonies, exhibitions and events, they lead arts companies, write our stories, fill our screens, work live music gigs, crew stages, film and television sets, manage arts centres and create start-up XR businesses.

Recognised by The Hollywood Reporter as one of the world’s leading drama schools, NIDA’s acting training sits at the heart of its reputation.

NIDA is seeking a Head of Acting & Performance (Course Leader) to lead one of its flagship areas at an important moment of change and opportunity. Reporting to the Director, Learning & Innovation, the role leads NIDA’s current performance portfolio, including the BFA Acting course and the vocational diplomas in Stage and Screen Performance and Musical Theatre, with oversight across acting, voice, movement and music. It carries overall responsibility for the vision, operational management and resourcing of these courses, and for the delivery of high-quality teaching and learning outcomes across the portfolio. The role will lead new developments in performance and musical theatre aligned with NIDA’s strategic priorities. 

A key priority in the role is ensuring coherence across the performance portfolio. That includes defining progression between diploma and degree-level study, securing strong alignment across the diverse courses, and a clear sense of how the different parts of the portfolio connect and collaborate. The role plays an important part in deepening industry relationships, strengthening graduate pathways, and ensuring students are equipped with the adaptability required for contemporary creative careers.

The role calls for a respected leader and arts educator with strong industry credibility, current knowledge of acting and performance training, and the capacity to combine artistic vision, operational oversight and educational leadership.

NIDA is seeking someone who can retain what is already excellent, while helping shape what comes next.

The role’s key accountabilities include: 

• Leading the artistic and educational direction of NIDA’s acting and performance training across degree and diploma programs.
• Bringing greater alignment and collaboration across the performance portfolio.
• Ensuring curriculum and training remain responsive to contemporary practice, industry change and emerging technologies.
• Strengthening industry connections and expand pathways for students and graduates.
• Providing strong leadership across staff, resources and course delivery in one of NIDA’s flagship areas.
• Continue embedding access, equity and inclusion principles in the learning and performing arts environment.

Interested applicants are encouraged to contact REA arts + culture to obtain a copy of the key selection criteria and detailed Candidate Pack, and a confidential discussion about the role and their potential candidacy.

Applications are due before midnight, Friday 15 May 2026.

Vanessa Duscio & Richard Evans

Contact: [email protected]

Location

NIDA is located in Kensington, Sydney, Australia.

Contract entitlements

• This is an ongoing full-time position, with a competitive salary package, including four weeks annual leave, and some additional paid days over the Christmas/ New Year period.

Other relevant information

• This role is expected to commence in September 2026