Practical skill-based learning in the performing arts led by industry experts with a focus on personal and creative development.

Learning Frame Work

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: Impro 101

Embrace the unknown to discover how fearless you really are. This high-energy term is all about saying yes, trusting your instincts and embracing fun. Work with your NIDA Open ensemble to explore improvisation skills, spontaneous storytelling, and techniques to create bold characters. Fuelled by your imagination, discover how to turn great ideas into original improvised scenes and invite family and friends to a fast, funny, and totally unscripted end of term presentation.

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: The Pod Squad

With so many podcasts to chose from, what stands out? Compelling content, skilled performers and authentic audience connection are essential elements of a memorable listening experience. Now it’s your opportunity to create your very own magic as you rehearse a podcast audio drama with your NIDA Open friends. Explore your vocal skills and extend your acting talents to bring characters to life as you work together to tell a gripping podcast story. Raise your voice and stand out from the crowd.

Components

• Vocal Expression: Practice and apply vocal performance technique in a live presentation.
• Characters: Experiment with vocal and physical expression to create an original character.
• Performance Craft: Develop your understanding of different styles of scripts.

Term 3: Mystery Makers

Step into the shoes of Sherlock Holmes, Poirot, and Miss Marple to uncover a world of mystery and intrigue. Work with your NIDA Open teaching artists to explore devising techniques and create a unique mystery plot inspired by these OG legends. Learn how to collaborate with peers to write, rehearse and develop key moments of your original case and invite your friends and family to a live mystery performance at the end of term. Will the truth prevail? Will they crack the case? Or will the mystery remain unsolved?

Components

• Collaboration: Collaborate with your peers as you work together to explore different theatre-making styles.
• Creative Voice: Assume a variety of roles in a creative development process to generate new ideas for a live presentation.
• Stage Craft: Discover the elements that contribute to the physical realisation of a performance

Term 4: Australia on Screen

Great stories reflect where we’ve been, who we are, and who we aspire to be. Under the guidance of NIDA Open teaching artists, explore the given circumstances of some of the best contemporary and classic Australian film and TV screen scenes and develop the technical skills required to give an engaging on-screen performance. Learn how to bring yourself to characters to truthfully tell where they are right now in the story and create your own memorable screen moments.

Components

• Text Analysis – Interpret and bring to life a short written text for screen performance.
• Technique: Establish a relationship with the camera as you master hitting your mark, eye line techniques and develop an on screen presence.
• Screen Performance Craft: Consider the elements that contribute to the physical realisation of a performance.

For more information, please see our Terms & Conditions.