nida course guide 2015

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DRAMATIC ART THEATRE, FILM, TELEVISION

CONTENTSWELCOME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3WHY STUDY AT NIDA? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4ABOUT NIDA’S BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

ACTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8COSTUME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10DESIGN FOR PERFORMANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12PROPERTIES AND OBJECTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14STAGING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16TECHNICAL THEATRE AND STAGE MANAGEMENT . . . . . 18

ABOUT NIDA’S MASTER OF FINE ARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20DIRECTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22WRITING FOR PERFORMANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

DIPLOMA OF MUSICAL THEATRE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26HOW TO APPLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29ADDITIONAL INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

3NIDA COURSE GUIDE 2015

Welcome NIDA has an enviable reputation as Australia’s leading centre for dramatic arts education and training . In this guide you’ll find everything you need to know about NIDA’s undergraduate, graduate and VET courses, and how you can join our impressive list of nationally and internationally acclaimed graduates .

NIDA is a powerhouse for the creative sector, bringing together artists and industry leaders in a unique setting to encourage and develop the next generation of creative professionals . Since our first acting class in 1959, our alumni have made a huge impact on the national and international arts and entertainment industries – as actors, directors, writers, designers, stage managers, lighting and sound designers and technicians, scenery, costume and property makers .

Over the last few years we have focused on broadening creative opportunities for students, seeking to ensure they will be prepared for the challenges of a rapidly changing industry . We have also invested in our education and training environment to ensure the very best contemporary teaching and learning experience for all . We are determined that our graduates will become the creative leaders of the future, driving innovation and ensuring Australian voices and stories are heard across the world .

We look forward to welcoming you to NIDA .

Lynne Williams Director / CEO

Why study at NIDA? LEARN FROM THE BEST

As a student at NIDA, you will benefit from Australia’s most prestigious and acclaimed dramatic arts training and education . We aim to guide you to realise your full potential . Our teaching staff collectively bring a wealth of experience from the world’s arts and entertainment industries . Their expertise across theatre, film, television in addition to the latest performance platforms, will give you access to skills and knowledge to assist you to build a successful career in your chosen field, combined with having the passion and confidence to become one of Australia’s next creative leaders .

YOUR CREATIVITY IS CENTRE STAGE

At the heart of NIDA’s training is the belief that to be a creative leader, you must understand all aspects of bringing your artistic vision to life for an audience . From day one there is a balance between the academic and the practical, as your course provides you with opportunities to put your learning into practice and explore the creative challenges of your chosen industry .

For Bachelor of Fine Arts’ students, the NIDA production program immerses you in the process of creating, performing and staging full-scale theatrical works . Through the program, you will work with fellow students and guest artists from around Australia and the world on live productions, site-specific events, and exhibitions . Produced to the highest production standards, the program covers a range of classical and contemporary texts within different performance styles and settings, allowing you to develop your creative versatility .

NIDA productions are a unique chance for you to showcase your work and talents to industry leaders, professionals and public audiences . This invaluable professional experience means that NIDA students enter the industry with the skills and knowledge to assist them in meeting the professional challenges of their chosen field .

For graduate students, NIDA provides opportunities throughout the course to collaborate with fellow students, alumni, industry leaders and creative partners on new projects, pushing you to expand your creative vision, and challenging you to explore and discover innovative performance platforms .

For students undertaking our Diploma of Musical Theatre, NIDA provides access to a diverse artistic community and opportunity to collaborate with fellow students and our staff .

UNIQUE INDUSTRY ACCESS

NIDA has strong ties to the arts and entertainment industries in Australia and internationally . Our courses are regularly reviewed with input from industry professionals, to ensure that our course content and delivery prepare students for their professional careers . Each year, NIDA invites Australian and international guest artists, directors, writers and other professionals, to share their industry expertise with our students and enrich their creative experience . Working with these artists as well as visiting lecturers and tutors, you’ll develop a detailed understanding of contemporary arts practice from an industry perspective . For students specialising in Costume, Design for Performance, Properties and Objects, Staging, and Technical Theatre and Stage Management we encourage and facilitate industry placements that will assist you in making the transition to a professional career .

WORLD CLASS FACILITIES

NIDA’s advanced technical facilities are an essential part of our internationally renowned education and training . The award-winning NIDA building houses five theatres, the Reg Grundy Studio, and contemporary sound and lighting studios . The Reg Grundy Studio is the hub of NIDA’s screen program and provides a multi-camera environment, fully-flexible lighting arrays and professional sets, matching industry-standard environments . NIDA also has numerous rehearsal rooms, teaching spaces, workshops dedicated to scenery, properties and costume creation, and multi-media and CAD studios .

BECOME ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S CREATIVE LEADERS

NIDA’s graduates are continually recognised for their contribution to the success and vibrancy of the arts and entertainment industries in Australia and globally . Our graduates go on to achieve acclaim on the stage, on screen, at major cultural events, and many develop new ways to share stories with audiences around the world . As a NIDA graduate, you will become a part of an esteemed community of creative professionals and artists who have the confidence, artistic vision and skill to lead .


“I chose to study Acting at NIDA because there is no place like it in Australia. NIDA students learn not only the skills and technique to finely hone our craft, but we are also given an incredible amount of industry exposure; we work daily alongside the very best contemporary theatre, film and television practitioners who in turn expect the highest standards of excellence from us. We have the opportunity to collaborate with the future leaders of the arts industry: NIDA students across disciplines, from design and directing to writing and production. We work on at least four full-scale productions and finish up with an internationally recognised degree from an institution with an outstanding reputation.”

Duncan Ragg NIDA Acting student

About NIDA’s Bachelor of Fine ArtsThe objective of NIDA’s Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) courses is to prepare students to be highly skilled, reflective and collaborative professionals for sustainable careers in theatre, film and television, as well as in a range of other contemporary performance platforms .

Students are equipped with techniques, methods and a sense of purpose to become contributing and responsible collaborators, and leaders of the arts and cultural communities nationally and internationally . Practice-based learning is underpinned by scholarship and research through which students acquire the skills, knowledge and expertise to create and interpret work, solve problems, and critically consider, articulate and debate their own artistic practice and that of others .

Collaboration is at the heart of the BFA . Collaborative projects and initiatives that respond to advances in practice, communications and technologies prepare students for their professional role at the forefront of innovation .

Emphasis is placed on a student’s ability to partner in new work, adaptations, and the interpretation of repertoire, from the concept development stage to the final performance in formally structured, informal, and student-led productions, projects and events .

Each BFA course has been planned and structured to complement the other, enabling students to work together and realise common goals, while ensuring that each course offers a high level of flexibility to address the specific requirements of each discipline .

Each course has a total of 360 credit points . Students normally take 60 credit points each semester .

There are three common subjects undertaken by students of all disciplines in mixed-discipline groups:

Performance and Ideas Introduction to Collaboration Student-led Projects

and three subject areas which are specific to each discipline:

Studio Interdisciplinary Collaboration Professional Practice .

ACTING BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS (ACTING)


COURSE DESCRIPTION

NIDA’s Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting) equips students with the specific knowledge and skill to pursue careers as actors across the breadth of today’s arts and entertainment industries – in main stage and smaller independent theatre companies, film and television, and commercial arenas . An emphasis on collaborative and self-directed devised work throughout the course prepares students to engage with a wide range of communities, and to initiate and create performance and related employment opportunities .

Through practice-based learning, students develop technical skills in acting, voice, movement and music, as well as a thorough grounding in acting for camera, microphone technique and screen-related skills . Students participate in classroom exercises, in-depth scene work, rehearsals and full scale productions as they explore their individual talents and find their personal artistic voice .

In years two and three, all students will undertake one of three Studio Majors: music theatre, physical theatre or applied theatre, which widens their career choices and professional readiness .

Final year students undertake audition and monologue classes, industry-standard film and television shoots, and a professional orientation program focusing on the practical realities of the entertainment industry, culminating in showcase performances for the industry .

Overall, the goal of the program is to train professional actors who are malleable and in the moment, truthful and transformative, self-generating and self-directed, and creative, collaborative and courageous in their work .

COURSE STRUCTURE

SEMESTER 1 CREDIT POINTS


Year 1Acting Studio 30 Acting Studio 30

Acting Interdisciplinary Collaboration 15 Acting Interdisciplinary Collaboration 15

Performance and Ideas 10 Performance and Ideas 10

Introduction to Collaboration 5 Introduction to Collaboration 5




Student-led Projects 5 Student-led Projects 5



Acting Professional Practice 15 Acting Professional Practice 15

BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS (ACTING)

DURATION 3 YEARSMODE FULL-TIME, MONDAY-FRIDAY

(9AM-6PM), ON CAMPUS SOME EVENINGS AND WEEKENDS IN PRODUCTION PERIODS

ENTRY VIA AUDITION, SEE P29FEE-HELP YES, SEE P31LINK WWW.NIDA.EDU.AU/ACTING

The preparation of professional actors has been at the heart of NIDA’s education and training programs . Our Acting alumni include two time Academy Award® winner Cate Blanchett as well as Hugo Weaving, Richard Roxburgh, Hugh Sheridan, Jessica Marais and Miranda Tapsell .

COSTUME BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS (COSTUME)


COURSE DESCRIPTION

NIDA’s Bachelor of Fine Arts (Costume) is an immersive practice-based course offering education and training in costume construction, management and related period and social research .

Students are introduced to the techniques required to produce creative works integral to becoming a costume professional, including costume construction, tailoring, pattern making, period cutting, draping, costume management, millinery and leatherwork . As they progress to making fully tailored and more advanced garments for full-scale productions, students expand the depth of their collaboration with the designer and performer, applying their skills in increasingly complex situations including practical workshops, exhibitions, installations and research projects . New and non-traditional materials and techniques are explored, and students gain experience of how to manage budgets and how to supervise a costume department .

While the course is focused primarily around costume in the context of theatre, there are classes, projects and industry placements which offer learning and opportunities related to the wider arts and entertainment industries, including opera, dance, film and television, exhibitions and events . All students spend time in an industry placement with professional companies or individuals .

COURSE STRUCTURE



Year 1Costume Studio 30 Costume Studio 30

Costume Interdisciplinary Collaboration 15 Costume Interdisciplinary Collaboration 15









Costume Professional Practice 15 Costume Professional Practice 15

BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS (COSTUME)



ENTRY VIA INTERVIEW AND PROJECT, SEE P29FEE-HELP YES, SEE P31LINK WWW.NIDA.EDU.AU/COSTUME

The course prepares students for careers as a costume maker, costume supervisor, assistant costume supervisor, costume cutter, theatrical tailor, buyer, finisher or milliner in the arts and entertainment industries .

DESIGN FOR PERFORMANCE BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS (DESIGN FOR PERFORMANCE)


COURSE DESCRIPTION

Students of the Bachelor of Fine Arts (Design for Performance) learn in a collaborative environment, developing knowledge and skills to equip them to respond to increasingly complex design briefs across the duration of the course .

Students acquire knowledge and skills, and the ability to apply these, through practical workshops, conceptual and realised projects, major production designs, exhibitions and installations .

Recognising that a professional designer requires knowledge and ability across a wide variety of skills, students undertake specialist education and training in set design, costume design, the design of properties and lighting design, as well as accumulating technical skills in model-making, rendering, virtual visualisation techniques, manual drafting, computer-aided drafting (CAD) and life drawing . They also investigate the social, historical and cultural contexts informing contemporary art, architecture and design, the history of costume and clothing, and colour theory .

In final year, students work as a team to curate, manage and design the EXPONIDA exhibition as well as to design and realise a site specific project, a music video, a short film and the graduate directors’ productions . Each student is also linked to a professional designer who acts as a mentor while the student observes their process of working within a major performing arts organisation .

COURSE STRUCTURE



Year 1Design for Performance Studio 30 Design for Performance Studio 30

Design for Performance Interdisciplinary Collaboration

15 Design for Performance Interdisciplinary Collaboration

15






15






30

Design for Performance Professional Practice 10 Design for Performance Professional Practice 15

BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS (DESIGN FOR PERFORMANCE)



ENTRY VIA INTERVIEW AND PROJECT, SEE P29FEE-HELP YES, SEE P31LINK WWW.NIDA.EDU.AU/DESIGN

The course equips students with the specific knowledge and skills to pursue careers as designers and assistant designers of scenery, costumes, properties and lighting in the arts and entertainment industries, including theatre, opera, dance, film and television, and events .

PROPERTIES AND OBJECTS BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS (PROPERTIES AND OBJECTS)


COURSE DESCRIPTION

NIDA’s Bachelor of Fine Arts (Properties and Objects) introduces students to prop-making and object-making techniques through education and training in life drawing, metalwork, woodwork, sculpture, mould making, pattern making, scenic art, technical drawing, puppetry, prosthetics, electronics, joinery, set dressing, film studies and model making .

Students are also introduced to communication, presentation, research and self-evaluation techniques as well as financial management skills, sustainable practice and the fundamentals of work health and safety (WHS) . As they progress through the course, students explore areas such as costume jewellery, architectural models, computer-aided design, graphics software and 3D modelling for digital manufacturing .

In second year, students undertake and showcase four major projects: a large sculptural piece, a short film model, a replica of a furniture piece and performance of puppetry . In the third year students embark on large scale, self-directed projects . They also gain an understanding of how to manage a properties department, supervising the production of properties for a full-scale theatrical production . In their final year, all students undertake an industry placement .

COURSE STRUCTURE



Year 1Properties and Objects Studio 20 Properties and Objects Studio 20

Properties and Objects Interdisciplinary Collaboration

15 Properties and Objects Interdisciplinary Collaboration

15

Properties and Objects Professional Practice 10 Properties and Objects Professional Practice 10






5







15


BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS (PROPERTIES AND OBJECTS)



ENTRY VIA INTERVIEW AND PROJECT, SEE P29FEE-HELP YES, SEE P31LINK WWW.NIDA.EDU.AU/PROPERTIES

This course equips students with the specific knowledge and skills to pursue careers as makers of properties, models and bespoke objects, and managers of these fields in the arts and entertainment industries, such as theatre, opera, dance, film, television, exhibitions and special events .

STAGING BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS (STAGING)


COURSE DESCRIPTION

NIDA’s Bachelor of Fine Arts (Staging) is the only degree of its kind offered in Australia, and one of only a few available worldwide . Through this course, students study current staging practice, stage engineering, stage rigging, risk and project management, as well as develop a broader theoretical and contextual knowledge of theatre, arts and culture .

The strength of this course is the breadth of its content, equipping students with an understanding of all aspects of staging in terms of creating a production, in addition to specialised skills in areas such as engineering, automation and rigging .

Students acquire knowledge and skills, and the ability to apply these, through practical workshops, conceptual and realised projects, major productions, exhibitions and installations .

Students study materials and structures, mechanics, rigging, computer-aided design, drafting, carpentry and metal fabrication techniques, stage machinery, and project management . In the second year, they utilise these skills and knowledge in the technical design of a full production as well as studying basic electrical engineering and control systems and in the third year, take on leadership roles as construction managers or technical managers . Industry placements provide students with a broader contextualisation, understanding and experience of the live performance industry, and help them create contacts and networks for further professional development .

COURSE STRUCTURE



Year 1Staging Studio 30 Staging Studio 30

Staging Interdisciplinary Collaboration 15 Staging Interdisciplinary Collaboration 15



Year 2Staging Interdisciplinary Collaboration 10 Staging Interdisciplinary Collaboration 20

Staging Professional Practice 5 Staging Professional Practice 5



Year 3Staging Studio 30 Staging Studio 20

Staging Interdisciplinary Collaboration 20 Staging Interdisciplinary Collaboration 20

Staging Professional Practice 10 Staging Professional Practice 20

BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS (STAGING)



ENTRY VIA INTERVIEW AND PROJECT, SEE P29FEE-HELP YES, SEE P31LINK WWW.NIDA.EDU.AU/STAGING

The course equips students to pursue careers as technical designers, technical managers, assistant technical managers, construction managers, technical project managers, set builders, staging technicians and mechanists in the arts and entertainment industries, including for theatre, opera, dance, film and television, special events and product launches .

TECHNICAL THEATRE AND STAGE MANAGEMENT BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS (TECHNICAL THEATRE AND STAGE MANAGEMENT)


COURSE DESCRIPTION

NIDA’s Bachelor of Fine Arts (Technical Theatre and Stage Management) focuses on the innovative and effective ways successful practitioners integrate technical fields and collaborate within live performance, film, television and event contexts . At its core, the course deals specifically with the realisation and management of the points of intersection that occur between technology and performance .

This is a holistic technical production course that provides education and training to the technical theatre practitioners and stage managers of the future . A key feature is the broad range of knowledge and experience with which students engage during the course . This breadth of experience prepares students to succeed in leadership roles that require creative, technical and managerial expertise across multiple technical fields .

Students are introduced to practices, procedures, history and technologies across the fields of stage management, lighting, audio, technical drawing, staging and multimedia . They learn methods for recording and integrating information in a variety of discipline-appropriate documentary forms, gain skills in, project management, people management and technical management, and learn how to apply all of their acquired skills and knowledge on large-scale, cross-disciplinary collaborative projects . During the course, students are given the opportunity to experience a wide range of technical theatre and stage management roles as stage managers, technical managers, technical designers and crew on NIDA’s many productions and projects .

During their final year, students spend a minimum of 10 weeks undertaking industry placements, during which they gain direct experience of professional practices, processes and environments .

BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS (TECHNICAL THEATRE AND STAGE MANAGEMENT)



ENTRY VIA INTERVIEW AND PROJECT, SEE P29FEE-HELP YES, SEE P31LINK WWW.NIDA.EDU.AU/TECHNICAL-THEATRE

The course equips students with the specific knowledge and skills to pursue careers in a range of technical fields within the live performance and event industries . Graduates of the course are especially suited to careers in technical management, stage management, technical design, production management, lighting, audio and theatrical multimedia systems .

COURSE STRUCTURE



Year 1 TT & SM Studio 30 TT & SM Studio 30

TT & SM Interdisciplinary Collaboration 10 TT & SM Interdisciplinary Collaboration 10

TT & SM Professional Practice 5 TT & SM Professional Practice 5



Year 2TT & SM Studio 30 TT & SM Studio 20





Year 3TT & SM Studio 15 TT & SM Studio 15



TT & SM represents Technical Theatre and Stage Management

About NIDA’s Master of Fine Arts NIDA’s Master of Fine Arts (MFA) courses are founded on the principle that critical enquiry, experimentation and innovation are at the forefront of artistic practice and broader cultural leadership . NIDA’s MFA courses envelop students in an inter-disciplinary context in which they can develop and refine their practice while engaging with creative contemporary concerns . Students explore and extend their potential in an environment of critical dialogue generated by their lecturers, visiting industry professionals and their peers .

NIDA has adopted a common structure for its suite of MFA courses . All courses include two common subjects – Contextualising Practice and Practice-based Research – in which students of all MFA disciplines engage as a group . Each course has a discipline-specific lead subject that is the focal point of the learning experience, and a key support subject integral to the realisation of the lead subject . An exciting and important distinguishing feature of the NIDA MFA is that all students undertake an international learning experience as part of their course .

The NIDA MFA is of 15 months’ duration . In the first year students will need to be resident in Sydney and available on a full-time basis from late January to early December . In the final three months (January to March of the following year), students bring to completion their research project and write up the results as a journal article . It is normally not essential that students be resident in Sydney during the final three months of the course .

NIDA selects students to its MFA courses who have the talent, vision, commitment and courage to become exceptional artists and, through their work, to shift prevailing expectations and the boundaries of what art might be .

COURSE STRUCTURE

All MFA courses comprise 180 credit points

All MFA courses include two common subjects, Contextualising Practice (15 credit points) and Practice-based Research (30 credit points)

All MFA courses have a lead subject which is the focal point of the learning (60 credit points)

All MFA courses have a key support subject integral to the realisation of the lead subject (30 credit points)

The remaining 45 credit points are distributed across the remaining discipline-specific subjects

DIRECTING MASTER OF FINE ARTS (DIRECTING)


COURSE DESCRIPTION

NIDA’s Master of Fine Arts (Directing) assists highly talented early career practitioners to master the directing process through education and training in the components of production, the interpretation of text, and the communication techniques required to engage with the contemporary audience . The course places strong emphasis on the collaborative role of the director in the theatrical process and challenges students to create and express their own vision in the context of international performance practice .

This course provides students with the opportunity to analyse the theoretical underpinnings of the director’s craft and combine knowledge, skills and techniques across many platforms of theatre productions, including film . The directing technique that underpins the course builds on Stanislavski’s Active Analysis and contemporary theories of visuality . Other approaches are studied during the year as students formulate their own personal directing methodology .

Particular emphasis is placed on the director’s methods of communication with actors, designers, stage managers, playwrights and other creative team members . Students will produce a short play (or film) in a public season, as well as undertaking a research project reflecting an aspect of their practice .

Applicants should note that the course may involve some interstate travel, and will include an international learning experience .

COURSE STRUCTURE

SUBJECTS CREDIT POINTS

Directing Techniques 30

Directing Practice 60

Scenography 15

The Contemporary Director 15

Dramaturgy 15

Contextualising Practice 15

Practice-based Research 30

MASTER OF FINE ARTS (DIRECTING)

DURATION 15 MONTHSMODE FULL-TIMEENTRY VIA INTERVIEW AND AUDITION (FOR SHORT-LISTED APPLICANTS) SEE P30ADMISSION UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE OR FIVE YEARS REQUIREMENTS PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE IN AN AREA RELEVANT TO DIRECTINGFEE-HELP YES, SEE P31LINK WWW.NIDA.EDU.AU/DIRECTING

NIDA is seeking bold, adventurous students eager to collaborate in dynamic interdisciplinary experiences focused on theatre and performance for the future .The course is designed for those students who are keen to extend, intensify and focus their theatrical versatility, imagination and scholarship .

WRITING FOR PERFORMANCE MASTER OF FINE ARTS (WRITING FOR PERFORMANCE)


COURSE DESCRIPTION

The guiding philosophy of the MFA (Writing for Performance) is that great writing comes from a passionate engagement with great ideas, and to that end, writers will be constantly exposed to some of the most challenging intellectual debates of the contemporary world . At the same time, they will have the opportunity to do work in fields as diverse as film and digital media, while writing their major work, excerpts of which will be presented at the end of the year, with the writers themselves directing actors in a rehearsed reading for a public audience .

Access to the course is highly selective and the number of students is small . Graduates have a range of employment options given the breadth of opportunity for exploration and development facilitated through the course .

Nevertheless, writing for performance is normally a freelance occupation, and students will be equipped with knowledge and skills to access and navigate a rapidly changing landscape of contemporary textual practices . Graduates of the course may be employed as playwrights and as writers for other performance genres, including film, television, radio and digital media .

Applicants should note that the course may involve some interstate travel, and will include an international learning experience .

COURSE STRUCTURE

SUBJECTS CREDIT POINTS

Writing with Purpose 60

Re-reading the World 30

The Radical Imagination 15

The Future is Now – New Technologies, New Opportunities

30

Contextualising Practice 15

Practice-based Research 30

MASTER OF FINE ARTS (WRITING FOR PERFORMANCE)

DURATION 15 MONTHSMODE FULL-TIMEENTRY VIA INTERVIEW AND WRITTEN WORK SEE P30ADMISSION UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE AND REQUIREMENTS A DEMONSTRATED COMMITMENT TO ORIGINAL WRITINGFEE-HELP YES, SEE P31LINK WWW.NIDA.EDU.AU/WRITING

The Master of Fine Arts (Writing for Performance) is a course for people who have already decided to call themselves writers and who see this as their primary calling . While craft skills are important, they are of minor concern compared to the terror and uncertainty of writing itself, and the necessity of having something to say . It is the focus of these two major areas of writing, as well as the nurturing of creativity, that distinguishes the NIDA course .

Diploma ofMUSICAL THEATRE


COURSE DESCRIPTION

NIDA is able to provide you with the rigour and skill required to get a foothold in musical theatre . The course is industry driven with content delivered by practicing professionals and guest tutors from the performing arts industry .

You will be trained to respond creatively to scripts and songs, collaborate effectively with others and to make informed decisions about character interpretation . As a graduate of this course, your skills in acting will be as developed as your skills in singing and dancing .

Training is practical, with an even distribution of classes in each of the disciplines of singing, dancing and acting . Assessments take place towards the end of each term .

You train in ensemble and solo singing in a range of musical theatre repertoire, acting technique for both spoken and sung dialogue, and in ensemble and individual dance in a variety of styles . The course culminates in a showcase attended by music theatre practitioners, producers and agents .

NIDA is registered by the Australian Skills Quality Authority under the National Vocational Education and Regulator Act 2011 as an NVR Registered Training Organisation (RTO): ID number 90349.

CUA50213 DIPLOMA OF MUSICAL THEATRE

DURATION 1 YEARMODE FULL-TIME, 4 DAYS PER WEEK (FEBRUARY THROUGH TO SEPTEMBER) ON CAMPUSENTRY VIA AUDITION AND INTERVIEW, SEE P30LINK WWW.NIDA.EDU.AU/DMT

NIDA’s Diploma of Musical Theatre is an intensive year of practical study, that elevates you to become a ‘triple threat’ – singer, dancer, actor .

COURSE STRUCTURE

SUBJECTS MODULE/UNITRefine performance techniques CUAPRF501

Prepare for performances in a competitive environment CUAPRF503

Refine musical theatre techniques CUAPRF504

Maintain a high level of fitness for performance CUAWHS501

Provide services on a freelance basis CUFIND40

Develop vocal techniques CUSMPF407A

Refine contemporary dance technique CUADAN505

Refine dance partnering techniques CUADAN507

Refine aural-perception skills CUSMLT50

Develop acting techniques for musical theatre CUAACT402

Perform in a musical theatre ensemble CUAPRF409

Develop singing techniques for musical theatre CUAVOS401

Prepare for sustainable professional practice CUVPRP50

Manage stagecraft aspects of performance CUSMPF60

Perform solo in a musical theatre context CUAPRF408

Use a range of acting techniques in performance CUAACT401

How to apply 1. CHOOSE A COURSE

Visit the NIDA website for detailed and up-to-date information about the courses on offer and the selection criteria related to each course .

2. SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

Applications must be submitted directly to NIDA . Apply at www.nida.edu.au, following the prompts on the application page . Applications are open from 1 July to 30 September each year .

3. PREPARE FOR YOUR AUDITION OR INTERVIEW

All applicants are offered an audition or interview . Once your application has been received online, you will be sent time and venue details . Full audition and interview requirements are available on our website . In some circumstances interviews may be arranged via online services such as Skype .

4. ATTEND YOUR AUDITION OR INTERVIEW

Auditions and interviews are held in various Australian capital cities usually during November and December, depending on the course .

5. RECEIVE AN OFFER

Offers are made in December each year . Successful applicants will be advised by telephone and then in writing once accepted into the course .


Admission Requirements BACHELOR OF FINE ARTSUndergraduate applicants seeking admission must: Have reached the age of 18 before the commencement of the course (in exceptional circumstances this may be waived) Hold a Higher School Certificate or its equivalent from any State or Territory in Australia or overseas (in exceptional circumstances this may be waived) Be fluent in spoken and proficient in written English language (8 .0 IELTS or equivalent for Acting, 7 .0 IELTS or equivalent for all other courses for international students) Complete the audition or project requirements for their chosen course (please refer to the website for full details) .

We select applicants who:1 . Demonstrate commitment, motivation and passion in relation to the arts, entertainment and related industries, to their chosen discipline,

and to the course of study2 . Provide evidence of their capacity to work creatively and imaginatively 3 . Demonstrate an aptitude to collaborate with peers as part of a creative process4 . Demonstrate a range of knowledge, skills, technical abilities and/or problem-solving techniques relevant to their discipline 5 . Demonstrate cultural and contextual awareness 6 . Articulate and communicate ideas clearly .

ACTING AUDITION REQUIREMENTSPrepare THREE short monologues, that meet the following requirements:CLASSICAL: One short monologue by William Shakespeare . This must be in verse or prose (not a sonnet or a poem) .MODERN OR CONTEMPORARY: One short monologue from a modern or contemporary play (Australian or international) .YOUR CHOICE: Can be either classical or modern/contemporary .Optional: As the Acting course has Studio Major in music theatre during the second and third years of the course, applicants interested in demonstrating their singing ability may do so if they are invited to attend a recall audition . Prepare a song from the list on the NIDA website . NIDA will provide an accompanist .

AUDITION PROCESSIn the initial audition each applicant presents two of their prepared pieces to the audition panel . After a short break, some applicants are invited to stay on and present their third piece . At the end of this audition session, the panel may then ask some applicants to attend a second audition: a recall . This will occur on another day and may involve additional preparation .

COSTUME

DESIGN FOR PERFORMANCE

PROPERTIES AND OBJECTS

STAGING

TECHNICAL THEATRE AND STAGE MANAGEMENT

PROJECT REQUIREMENTSAll applicants must attend an interview and are required to produce a production project and practical project . In addition, applicants for some courses must complete a course questionnaire in advance of the interview . The questionnaire and detailed project information is available online from 1 July .

INTERVIEW PROCESSBring the project you have prepared to the interview – do not send it in advance . Make sure your name is clearly marked on all project materials .The interview includes a brief talk about NIDA, the course and the interview process . There will be an opportunity for you to ask any questions .The interview will include discussion of your project, your ideas about theatre, film and television, and why you want to study at NIDA .Some courses may include a practical element in the interview e .g sewing for Costume applicants and drawing for Properties and Objects and for Design for Performance applicants .

For the full audition, interview and project requirements please refer to the NIDA website from 1 July 2014.Please note: applications requirements are subject to change, the latest information can be found at www.nida.edu.au

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DRAMATIC ART 215 ANZAC PARADE KENSINGTON NSW 2033POST NIDA UNSW SYDNEY NSW 2052 AUSTRALIAPHONE 02 9697 7600 NIDACOMMUNITY EMAIL [email protected] FACEBOOK ABN 99 000 257 741 INSTAGRAMCRICOS PROVIDER CODE 00756MWWW.NIDA.EDU.AU

MASTER OF FINE ARTSGraduate applicants seeking admission must: Have an undergraduate degree or at least five years professional experience in a relevant area Be fluent in spoken and proficient in written English language (8 .0 IELTS or equivalent for international applicants) Complete the project requirements for their chosen course (please refer to the website for full details) .

We select applicants who demonstrate commitment, capacity and willingness to advance their practice by:1 . Working creatively 2 . Collaborating as part of a creative team3 . Demonstrating a range of relevant skills and technical abilities 4 . Providing evidence of intellectual enquiry and reflection within their work 5 . Communicating clearly .

DIRECTING SELECTION PROCESSAll applicants are invited to discuss their ambition, creative process and experience at an interview . Bring the following to your interview: A detailed CV highlighting your education and training, professional work and other relevant information A 500-700 essay/report discussing an area of directing that you are interested in, your directing practice or a particular cultural event you have witnessed . This will form part of the discussion at the interview Your production project - a written project based around one play/musical/opera/ballet from a list available online from 1 July A photocopy of proof of your university degree/s or five years of professional experience in a relevant area . If you are offered a place at NIDA, you will be required to provide a certified copy of this document

If you are successful in the first round of interviews, you may be invited to a recall audition to work with a pair of actors on a scene . This will be held on a separate day and may require additional preparation .

WRITING FOR PERFORMANCE

SELECTION PROCESSAll applicants are invited to discuss their ambition, creative process and experience at an interview . In addition, applicants must also submit: The three best pieces of your creative writing . They do not have to be plays or scripts for actors but at least one should display dramatic qualities and one should contain a sample of dialogue . Each extracted or complete piece should be no more than 2,000 words A detailed CV highlighting your education and training, professional work and other relevant information A photocopy of proof of your university degree/s or five years of professional experience in a relevant area . If you are offered a place at NIDA, you will be required to provide a certified copy of this document

As part of the selection process, some applicants may be asked to rewrite and resubmit part of their work on the basis of comments provided by the Head of Writing for Performance . NIDA may keep all or part of your work until the final selection of applicants is made . Ensure you keep a copy of all written work, as this will not be returned .

For the full interview and project requirements please refer to the NIDA website from 1 July 2014.Please note: applications requirements are subject to change, the latest information can be found at www.nida.edu.au


Additional Information TUITION FEES

All students are required to pay tuition fees . As a guide details of the tuition fees for 2014 for equivalent courses (with the exception of the Diploma of Musical Theatre) are available on the NIDA website . Details of the tuition fees for 2015 will be available from November 2014 .

Eligible domestic students in the BFA and MFA courses can apply for FEE-HELP . FEE-HELP is a loan scheme that assists eligible fee paying students in paying all or part of their tuition fees . For more information and to check your eligibility please go to the Australian Government’s Study Assist website (www .studyassist .gov .au) .

New Zealand citizens and permanent residents of Australia pay domestic student tuition fees but are not eligible to apply for a FEE-HELP loan .

International students pay international student fees . As a guide details of the international student tuition fees for 2014 for equivalent courses (with the exception of the Diploma of Musical Theatre) are available on the NIDA website . Details of the tuition fees for 2015 will be available from November 2014 . The Diploma of Musical Theatre is not available for international students .

STUDENT ACCOMMODATION

NIDA does not provide residential accommodation for students .

Through NIDA’s relationship with the University of NSW, NIDA students can apply for accommodation at the various on-campus residential communities .

NIDA students usually share rented accommodation and early in the year information is made available to students regarding those seeking to offer shared accommodation and those wanting to share with others .

DIPLOMA OF MUSICAL THEATREDiploma applicants seeking admission must: Have reached the age of 17 before the commencement of the course Show at an audition and interview a high level of practical ability, potential and motivation Complete the audition requirements for the course .

We select applicants who:1 . Demonstrate skills in singing, dancing and acting2 . Exhibit a capacity to collaborate3 . Communicate effectively4 . Respond to direction and feedback .

DIPLOMA OF MUSICAL THEATRE

AUDITION REQUIREMENTSAll applicants must attend an audition and answer a selection of interview questions in person at the audition .Prepare the following: TWO contrasting songs from musical theatre ONE short monologue from a contemporary or classical play .

NIDA will provide an accompanist - bring sheet music in the keys in which you will perform your songs .

AUDITION PROCESSIn the initial audition you present one of your prepared songs to the audition panel and answer questions regarding your previous training, performance experience, and the selection of your audition pieces . After a short break, you may be invited to stay on and present your second song, your monologue, and to participate in choreography . At the end of this session, the panel may ask you to attend a recall audition . This may occur on another day and may involve additional preparation .

For the full audition and interview requirements please refer to the NIDA website from 1 July 2014.Please note: applications requirements are subject to change, the latest information can be found at www.nida.edu.au

nida course guide 2015

Documents

creative leaders

welcome nida

creative challenges

dramatic arts education

nida course guide

international arts

worlds arts

creative sector