Drama for Grades 7-10, Parramatta
<p><div class="flexslider">{block name:“Demographic: Young People”}</div></p><p>Practical, skill-based learning led by industry experts across a range of performing arts disciplines. NIDA courses for
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Practical, skill-based learning led by industry experts across a range of performing arts disciplines. NIDA courses for grade 7-10 students are designed to support and inspire young people at any stage of their creative development.
Learning framework
Each term we focus on a specific area of performance practice to ensure students have a varied experience and learn a range of essential creative skills.
Students are able to join us at the start of any term during the year.
NIDA Open Drama courses are designed across a four term structure within the following learning framework:
Term one Improvisation and Performance Craft
Term two Voice and Movement
Term three Devising and Contemporary Performance
Term four Script Work and Staging
Term 1, 2023: A Play a Day...
Your NIDA teaching artist is on a deadline - they've only got two hours to pull together a pitch for a brand new play and they need your help! Inspired by beloved improvised shows Whose Line is it Anyway? and Thank God You're Here, create new characters and plot twists every week as you develop your improvisation skills in the ultimate live performance experience. Invite your friends and family along in the last week of term to set the scene and craft a completely spontaneous performance.
Course components
- Craft: Participate in improvised scene work to develop basic acting and improvisation technique including understanding the Given Circumstances and how they effect characterisation.
Spontaneity: Engage your imagination and develop lateral thinking skills through spontaneity and improvisation exercises.
Characters: Experiment with vocal and physical expression to create an original character.
Term 2, 2023: Animated!
Discover how voice and movement bring life to some of our most-loved animated characters. Explore your vocal and physical dexterity to create unique characters in larger than life scenarios and develop skills to deliver a believable performance in a heightened landscape.
Course components
- Voice: Introduction to how the voice works, exploration of fundamental vocal performance techniques.
Physical Awareness: Practice and apply movement technique for the actor including alignment, presence and spatial relationships in a live presentation.
Performance Skill: Experiment with specific voice and movement choices to influence character and performance.
Term 3, 2023: The Journey
It's said that "It's not about the destination, it's about the journey". While we all stand and admire the breathtaking view let's take a moment to recount the steps we've taken to get here. Using visual storytelling elements, discover how paths intersect as you devise original stories inspired by the journeys that have led you to a spectacular location. Script and perform your journey stories for family and friends at the end of the term.
Course components
- Characters: Experiment with vocal and physical expression to create an original character.
Creative Voice: Assume a variety of roles in a creative development process to generate new ideas for a live presentation.
Collaboration: Work with a group to develop a new concept into a short live presentation.
Term 4, 2023: NIDA Insta-Theatre
Join an 'instant' theatre company and get a taste of what NIDA has to offer. As a company of actors you will rehearse short, contemporary scripted works then consider the logistics and requirements of staging, to gather insight into what it takes to move your rehearsals towards a performance reality. Share your scene work as a company in a workshop presentation for family and friends at the end of the course.
Course components
- Text analysis: Interpret and bring to life through the application of acting technique a short written text for live performance.
Stage Craft: Consider the elements that contribute to the physical realization of a performance.
Performance: Apply acting, voice and movement practice to a short scripted, live presentation.
Important information
- Please read our Cancellation and Transfer Policy.
- Flights and Accommodation: From time to time we may need to cancel an advertised course. Before booking flights and accommodation for travel to attend a NIDA Open course, please contact the NIDA Open office to confirm if your course will proceed as planned. NIDA does not accept liability for any associated costs of attendance or cancellation.
- Please wear comfortable clothing you can move in for all drama and performance related courses. Clothing that restricts movement is inappropriate.
- Please wear closed-in shoes. Shoes may be removed in the rehearsal room on the direction of the class tutor.
- Please bring along a pen, notebook and bottle of water to all classes.
- If you are running late to collect your child, please call NIDA reception on 02 9697 7600. NIDA will only provide supervision during advertised course times.
- NIDA staff will supervise students in courses for Grades 3 to 10 during breaks. These students will not be permitted to leave the advertised venue without parental permission.
- Students in courses for Grades 11 and 12 will not be supervised during breaks and are free to leave the venue at designated break times should they wish.
Enrol for the full year in advance to receive a 15% discount off the full price!
- Discount is only applicable when booking all four terms within the same calendar year.
- Discount is not available online. Please book over the phone by calling the office on 1300 450 417 to receive the discount.
- If students do not attend all four terms, the discount is no longer valid.
Parramatta, Venue TBC
Sessions
| When | Time | Where | Session Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 14 Oct 2023 | 11am - 1pm (UTC+11:00) | Parramatta, Venue TBC | |
| Sat 21 Oct 2023 | 11am - 1pm (UTC+11:00) | Parramatta, Venue TBC | |
| Sat 28 Oct 2023 | 11am - 1pm (UTC+11:00) | Parramatta, Venue TBC | |
| Sat 4 Nov 2023 | 11am - 1pm (UTC+11:00) | Parramatta, Venue TBC | |
| Sat 11 Nov 2023 | 11am - 1pm (UTC+11:00) | Parramatta, Venue TBC | |
| Sat 18 Nov 2023 | 11am - 1pm (UTC+11:00) | Parramatta, Venue TBC | |
| Sat 25 Nov 2023 | 11am - 1pm (UTC+11:00) | Parramatta, Venue TBC | |
| Sat 2 Dec 2023 | 11am - 1pm (UTC+11:00) | Parramatta, Venue TBC |