NIDA Acting for Grades 8-12, Torrens Park

Acting for Grades 8-12, Torrens Park

Practical, skill-based learning led by industry experts across a range of performing arts disciplines. NIDA courses for grade 8-10 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, 2024: Lights, Improv, Action!

Buckle up, and get set for spontaneous storytelling! Work with your NIDA ensemble to explore impromptu performance techniques as you develop short and long form improvisation skills. Share your talents in an off the cuff, seat of your pants presentation at the end of the term. 

Course components

  • Craft: Participate in improvised scene work to develop basic acting and improvisation technique.
    Spontaneity: Engage your imagination and develop lateral thinking skills through spontaneity and improvisation exercies. 
  • Ensemble: Work as part of a team to achieve a shared goal through improvised performance. 

Term 2, 2024: Laugh-lines And Vocal Twists

Spin stories that will have everyone in stitches! From slapstick to witty one-liners, explore everyday humour to create compelling characters and discover how voice and movement inform comic timing and delivery. Have family and friends rolling with laughter as you share your amusing scenes in an end-of-term presentation.

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, 2024: ...and they all lived happily ever after?

Delve into the dark world of fairy tales and explore what really happens between the pages as you devise original fairytales with a twist. Can virtuous heroes co-exist with wickedly evil villians? And is happily ever after a possibility? Give classic characters your own fresh twist and combine elements from different fairy tales to create an original storyline. Only you can decide your characters' fate. 

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, 2024:  Beyond The Empty Space

An actor, an empty space and an audience is all you need to create an engaging performance. Explore approaches to text analysis and stagecraft, to create authentic characters. Present rehearsed contemporary scenes and monologues to friends and family at the end of term.

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.

This course has no current classes. Please join the waiting list