Head of Acting & Performance (Course Leader)

Lead NIDA’s next generation of actors and performance-makers.

The National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) is Australia’s national dramatic arts educator and innovator, with an international reputation for developing some of the world’s most influential and in-demand storytellers across stage, screen and new forms of performance. Recognised by The Hollywood Reporter as one of the world’s leading drama schools, NIDA’s acting and performance training sits at the heart of its reputation.

NIDA is seeking an outstanding industry leader and practitioner to become its next Head of Acting & Performance (Course Leader) and lead one of the institution’s flagship areas at an important moment of ambition, innovation and change.

The creative industries are evolving rapidly. Actors and performers are working across increasingly fluid boundaries between theatre, film, television, musical theatre, digital platforms, games, immersive experiences and emerging forms of storytelling. Technology and AI are changing how work is created and experienced, while traditional pathways into sustainable creative careers are also shifting.

NIDA wants to be at the forefront of that change.

The next Head of Acting & Performance will bring significant professional standing, strong contemporary industry connections and a compelling vision for how the next generation of actors and performance-makers should be prepared for the world they are entering.

This is an opportunity to build on the rigour and craft for which NIDA is renowned, while looking decisively outward: strengthening connections with industry nationally and internationally; creating opportunities and professional pathways for students and graduates; embracing innovation across stage, screen and emerging forms; and ensuring NIDA continues to produce artists with the agency to make work, initiate ideas and create their own opportunities.

Reporting to the Director, Learning & Innovation, the role leads NIDA’s performance portfolio, including the BFA Acting course and vocational diplomas in Stage and Screen Performance and Musical Theatre, with leadership across acting, voice, movement and music.

The Head will lead and inspire a diverse team of specialist practitioners and educators, take responsibility for the quality and standard of the student training experience, oversee the people, budgets and resources of the portfolio and contribute to NIDA’s wider artistic and organisational leadership.

NIDA is particularly interested in hearing from highly regarded practitioners and industry leaders. You may be an actor, director, artistic leader, or performance-maker with substantial professional experience and a strong understanding of contemporary acting and performance practice.

While experience within a leading training or educational environment will be valued, NIDA recognises that the strongest candidate may not come from a traditional academic career pathway. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with the Deputy Director: Curriculum and Innovation and NIDA’s academic colleagues, allowing the Head to concentrate on artistic and professional leadership, people, industry connection and the future direction of acting and performance training.

Key priorities will include:

• Providing artistic and professional leadership for one of NIDA’s flagship areas, bringing a clear and ambitious vision for acting and performance.
• Deepening NIDA’s connection with industry, building relationships with leading practitioners, companies and employers nationally and internationally.
• Strengthening professional pathwaysand opportunities for students and graduates across an increasingly diverse creative landscape.
• Leading and inspiring people, building a cohesive and collaborative culture across acting, voice, movement, music and performance.
• Bringing contemporary industry insight to the evolution of training and practice, responding to developments across stage, screen, technology, AI and emerging forms of storytelling.
• Working with NIDA’s academic and curriculum specialists to ensure programs remain rigorous, contemporary and responsive to professional practice.
• Overseeing the portfolio’s people, budgets and resourceswith sound judgement and operational discipline.
• Continuing to embed access, equity, inclusion and diverse perspectives across NIDA’s acting and performance environment.

NIDA is seeking someone with the stature to connect its students with the profession as it exists today, and the imagination to help prepare them for what comes next.

The position is ongoing, full-time and based at NIDA in Kensington, Sydney.

CONTACT

Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the detailed Candidate Pack and Key Selection Criteria before contacting REA arts + culture, who are leading the search on behalf of NIDA.

Confidential conversations are welcomed before 2 October from suitably experienced candidates wishing to explore their alignment with the opportunity.

Vanessa Duscio, Rebecca Wyles, Richard Evans REA arts + culture

REQUEST CANDIDATE PACK: [email protected]

Applications close Friday 9 October, 2026

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.