|
Every applicant to the Acting course will be given an audition to demonstrate talent and the potential to benefit from the course.
The best acting applicants are recalled for a second audition, allowing time for staff members to work with them over another day.
NIDA looks for people who show the potential to become good actors in the future, people who have talent but need to acquire technical skills.
Auditions can be nerve-wracking, although NIDA tries to conduct them in a friendly and informal manner. It is important to understand that professional actors are required to audition every time they go for a role. All aspiring actors should treat the audition process as a valuable learning experience.
At NIDA auditioning is an important part of the Acting course. All students are taught how the industry works and how to find employment. Talent is not enough. It must be supported by skill, technique and knowledge; these things can be learnt at NIDA.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR AN ACTING AUDITION
Please read the following instructions carefully. They are intended to help you prepare for your audition with confidence.
WHAT IS REQUIRED
You must thoroughly prepare and memorise THREE short solo extracts from contrasted classical and contemporary scripts:
- At least one must be selected from the NIDA suggested audition pieces
- At least one must be from a Shakespeare play
- Your selected monologues should be contrasting pieces, chosen to show different aspects of your abilities
- Your monologue should be no longer than two minutes
- Choose the monologues from plays /screenplays
- Do not choose poems
- Do not prepare self-devised or self-written pieces (they are not appropriate to the audition process)
- You must be prepared to present all three monologues, although only two may be required
The three monologues are a very important part of the audition. Please prepare thoroughly.
DOWNLOAD MONOLOGUES
The monologues for people applying in 2009 to commence in 2010 are below.
2009 Suggested Audition Pieces | MALE - PDF
2009 Suggested Audition Pieces | FEMALE - PDF
Acting Audition Information Sheet 2009
SELECTING THE MONOLOGUES - IN SUMMARY
- You may choose all three scenes from the NIDA suggested audition pieces
- You may choose two of the NIDA suggested audition pieces and one of your own selection
- You may choose one of the NIDA suggested audition pieces and two of your own selection
HOW TO PREPARE
- Try to read the whole play in order to understand the context of the monologue and be ready to discuss it during the audition. To obtain a copy of the play, try your local library or bookshop. Should you have any difficulty obtaining any of these texts please contact one of the bookshops listed here.
- Select characters about the same age as you are
- Choose scenes that you believe will show your abilities
- Present them clearly with interesting physical action
- Do not think of them as "speeches"
- Remember, this is your audition. While it is useful to test out your monologue on a friend, do not worry about acting "coaches" and don't let anybody tell you how to act it. The NIDA audition is not an acting "exam". There is no right or wrong way. Prepare your audition pieces carefully and have the courage to do them in the way you decide.
For further guidance on audition procedures and selection of speeches, read The Actor's Audition Manual and/or Masterclass, Vol.1 (Women) Vol. 2 (Men) by Dean Carey, published by Currency Press. These books and the plays and screenplays from which the NIDA suggested audition pieces are taken should be readily available at the suggested bookshops. If you are unable to obtain copies of the plays from these bookshops, contact your local library.
HELPFUL HINTS
If you live locally to NIDA in Sydney, it is beneficial to attend the NIDA Play Program performances. This gives you an insight into the types of plays staged by NIDA and the range of demands made on acting students.
You might also like to consider one of the many short courses offered by the NIDA Open Program. These courses offer a range of acting and audition skills. For more information please contact the NIDA Open Program on telephone (02) 9697 7626 or email contact form
ON THE DAY
We know that an audition can be a stressful experience, and we make allowances for nerves. We try to make the process as enjoyable as possible.
The auditions are held in groups and may take the whole day. There will be a talk about NIDA before the audition and you will have the opportunity to ask any questions. This will be followed by voice and movement warm-up exercises. The atmosphere is open, friendly, informal, and we hope, fun.
Please wear suitable clothes and little or no make-up. Any casual clothing that does not limit your movement is acceptable.
The initial audition involves the presentation of at least two of your prepared pieces to usually at least two audition staff. After this, some people may be asked to stay to present their third scene and/or do further work.
At the end of this audition session, we may ask some applicants to attend a second audition: a recall. This will occur on another day and may involve additional preparation.
The audition may involve redirection of scenes, improvisation, discussion on interpretation, musical and rhythmic tests and sight reading. You may be asked to relate the roles you play to your personal experience. You may also be asked about your knowledge of, and interest in, the theatre and related media.
The audition process is friendly, informal and open, but misunderstandings can occur. Should you feel any concern with the audition process, or with what is said to you during the course of the audition, please express your concern immediately, or talk it over with a member of the audition panel before you leave.
THE RESULT OF YOUR APPLICATION
Selections for all NIDA courses are made around the second week of December. At this time successful applicants will be advised by telephone and in writing that they have been accepted into the Acting course. Those applicants who have been asked to participate up to the end of the recall audition, but whose application is not successful, will also be advised by telephone and in writing.
If you have not been invited to present your third piece at your initial audition or have not been invited to a recall audition or have not been asked to stay for the whole period of the recall audition, then your application has not been successful and you will not receive any further notification from NIDA regarding your application.
Please note that some students are accepted into NIDA on their third, fourth or fifth attempt. If at first you don't succeed, try again!
Please also note that it is not possible to provide you with an individual assessment of your application, either orally or in writing.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
NIDA regulations require that students must be at least 18 years old and have the HSC or equivalent. We can, under exceptional circumstances, waive these conditions but please be aware that we are looking for students who have some maturity, a variety of life experiences and an interest in a range of issues and ideas.
GENERAL WELFARE
NIDA students must be in good health and capable of managing a stringent and exhausting three years of full-time study. We cannot emphasise this enough. If you have any health concerns, please tell us at the audition. Successful applicants will be required to complete a health questionnaire before commencing the course.
|