Courses to challenge and engage young people Grades 7-12
NIDA Open provides a diverse range of drama classes for teens, creative courses and performance training designed specifically for high school students in Grades 7–12. Whether a young person is a curious beginner or an emerging artist seeking pre‑professional development, there are options ranging from one‑day workshops to extended Lab and Studio programs.
Our courses include drama lessons for teens, acting on screen, musical theatre, writing, filmmaking and public speaking. Each program helps young people build confidence, communication and ensemble skills while exploring their creative potential. These extracurricular drama opportunities support contemporary, practice‑based training that encourages students to take creative risks and grow as performers and storytellers.
All classes are led by experienced industry professionals who create an inclusive, energising environment where young people can embrace challenges, develop their craft, and connect with likeminded peers.
Classes are run during school holidays and across term time in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, offering flexible and accessible extracurricular drama pathways for teens who want to extend their skills beyond the classroom.
Term Courses
NIDA Open provides a fun and supportive learning environment with a focus on personal and creative development. The term program is designed to suit a range of experience levels and interests, offering courses in a variety of disciplines including drama, acting on screen, singing and acting, and public speaking.
Holiday Courses
Embark on an immersive hands-on learning experience as you explore your interests in acting, musical theatre, costume design, writing, and filmmaking in courses designed to inspire and challenge you. Whether it’s a two-day workshop or an intensive two-week Lab, our holiday courses offer a gateway to creativity across a range of exciting disciplines.
Term 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. 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
Students are able to join us at the start of any term during the year.
Extended Learning
Explore our intensive pre-professional training courses for adults and young people in Grades 11-12.
UPCOMING COURSES
Our Learning Environment
NIDA is committed to providing a creative environment that is inclusive, encouraging and safe for all children and young people who engage in our programs across Australia.
TESTIMONIALS
Costume Design 101
It was an amazing course really, informative and presented well. Engaging and fun. My favourite part was getting hands-on with fabrics.
Student
Acting for Stage & Screen
5/5 Meeting the other people and the teacher. I enjoyed everything about the course, meeting other people and the teacher. My mum said the staff were very helpful when she called to enquire.
Student
Acting Boot Camp
I gained a lot of confidence in my ability to improvise and got the chance to work with some amazing people.
Student
