Overview

Led by industry experts, experience hands-on, skill-based learning. Our classes are for students at any stage of their creative development with a focus on both personal and artistic growth. NIDA Open provides a dynamic environment where young artists can explore their passions, gain confidence, and develop their craft in an inspiring and supportive environment. 

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 1 Improvisation and Performance Craft 
Term 2 Voice and Movement 
Term 3 Devising and Contemporary Performance 
Term 4 Script Work and Staging 

Term 1: So Random

Ever had one of those days when everything feels just a little strange? Beserk bus drivers, frenetic friends, chaotic classrooms. Transform life’s awkward moments into creative inspiration as you develop short and long form improvisation skills to fill even the most uncomfortable silences. Work with your NIDA Open teaching artist to explore the bold characters that populate those odd days as you develop skills to stay in the moment, even when things get a little bit random.

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 exercises.
• Ensemble: Work as part of a team to achieve a shared goal through improvised performance.

Term 2: Word Warriors

Find your rhythm. Catch your spark. Let your words light up the dark. Dive into the world of spoken word poetry and discover how the voice and body connect to create powerful performances. Collaborate with your NIDA Open ensemble in a supportive environment to transform contemporary poems from around the world into short dramatic scenes. Develop your character, confidence and charisma to unleash electric stage presence powered with purpose. Raise the roof at the end of term as you step up to the mic to set the story alight.

Components

• Voice: Introduction to how the voice works, exploration of fundamental vocal performance techniques.
• Language and text: Using punctuation, meter, rhythm and rhyme, analyse and explore written text in live performance.
• Performance Skill: Experiment with specific voice and movement choices to influence character and performance.

Term 3: Sail Away

Enter a wondrous world from a new perspective as you embark on an adventure across the seas. Inspired by Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels, work with a NIDA Open teaching artist to develop contemporary storytelling techniques and devise original scene work reflecting the unexpected alliances on the strange island of Lilliput. Share your epic voyage with family and friends at the end of term.

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: Witty Fools & Foolish Wit

Step into the world of Shakespeare as you explore the hilarious plots, characters and language behind the Bard’s most famous comedies. Gain experience within a professional rehearsal process led by your NIDA Open teaching artist, as you craft comedic characters with a modern edge and discover the art of the Shakespearean insult. Share your scene work with family and friends at the end of term.

Components

• Text analysis: Interpret and bring to life a short written text for live performance.
• Stage Craft: Discover the elements that contribute to the physical realisation of a performance.
• Performance: Apply acting, voice and movement technique to a short scripted, live presentation.
• Iambic Pentameter: explore the use of Iambic Pentameter.

For more information, please see our Terms & Conditions.

For more information, please see our Terms & Conditions.