Overview

NIDA’s Young Actor’s Lab offers a collaborative and inspiring space where emerging performers aged 15–18 can grow their skills, build confidence, and connect with like-minded peers. 

Across two immersive weeks, you’ll explore fundamental acting techniques and apply them to a variety of scripted material. Expand your vocal and physical range, experiment with improvisation to create character, and discover how to adapt your technique as you develop your on-screen presence. 

Guided by NIDA’s expert teaching artists, this program is designed for passionate young people who want to take their acting to the next level in a professional and supportive environment. 

Components 

1. Week One: Train, improvise, and perform 
   Embody professional performance practice as you collaborate with others to explore voice, movement, and acting technique. Use improvisation as a tool for devising scenes and characters. Build your confidence by applying technique to text in a scene study intensive. 

2. Week Two: Rehearse, refine, and shoot 
   Develop your screen presence through rehearsal as you respond to a variety of texts. Reflect upon and refine your performance while shooting scenes to camera, building a practical understanding of the screen process and gaining insight into working towards industry standards. 

Outcomes 

By the end of the course, you will have: 

• Analysed a script and applied Stanislavski’s Given Circumstances. 

• Expanded your vocal and physical toolkit to inform authentic storytelling. 

• Realised a character arc through the application of contemporary acting technique.  

• Prepared and performed a monologue and a scene to camera. 

This course is ideal for young actors who:  

• Are passionate about acting for stage and screen. 

• Want to expand their skills in voice, movement improvisation, and text work. 

• Enjoy working collaboratively with other young performers in a supportive environment. 

• Are considering further study in the performing arts or growth as a performer.