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: Prom Night of the Living Dead

What happens when the perfect prom takes a decidedly undead turn? Inspired by the cult musical Zombie Prom, create unexpected twists and turns as you sing and dance your way back to the atomic 1950s. Work with a NIDA Open teaching artist to develop your improvisation technique, and discover how thinking on your feet can unlock bold performance choices. Collaborate with your ensemble to bring this outrageous prom night to life!

Components

• Freeing the Imagination: Grow confidence through exercises that promote spontaneity and creative expression.
• Voice and Song: Explore vocal range and dexterity with singing technique.
• Collaboration: Incorporate and develop shared ideas into a live presentation.

Term 2: Children of the Revolution

History is filled with stories of rebellion, revolution and resistance. Explore the musicals that bring these powerful stories to the stage, immersing yourself in the thrilling choral numbers of defiant productions including Les Misérables, Urinetown and Assassins. Develop your vocal and physical performance skills, build confidence as an ensemble performer, and discover the power of singing as one. Viva la Revolution!

Components

• Voice and Song: Apply choral singing technique as an ensemble in front of a live audience.
• Physical Awareness – Practice movement and musicality through physical games, exercises and movement training.
• Staging: Consider staging techniques and learn musical performance stagecraft.

Term 3: Mysteriously Spooky Cabaret

Turn the ordinary inside out and embrace the spine-tingling spookiness of The Addams Family! Develop your singing and acting skills and explore devising techniques to bring delightfully macabre characters to life. Collaborate with your ensemble to create an original horror-themed cabaret inspired by this beloved TV family. Get creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky, and share your eerie extravaganza with friends and family at the end of term.

Components

• Performance Practice: Apply acting and singing practice to a short devised musical presentation.
• Voice and Song: Explore and apply singing technique to develop confidence in singing in front of a live audience.
• Creative Expression: Take a variety of roles in a creative development process to generate ideas and concepts for a new live presentation.

Term 4: The Golden Age

Step into the Golden Age of musical theatre and explore the iconic shows that have shaped the stage and screen. Apply NIDA acting techniques to classic scenes and beloved songs, and develop the skills to bring authentic characters to life. Take a journey back through history and discover the timeless magic of musical theatre!

Components

• Text Interpretation: Interpret and bring to life through the application of acting technique a short scripted and musical text.
• Staging: Consider staging techniques, learn and apply performance craft.
• Performance: Apply acting, singing and movement practice to a short scripted, singing and acting presentation.

For more information, please see our Terms & Conditions.