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I need to stay overnight prior to my audition. Where can I stay?
Are there any quotas each year for specific groups such as for indigenous Australians, people from each State/Territory or international students?
Can international students apply to study at NIDA?
Is there a limit on the number of international students?
Are there any minimum or maximum age restrictions for entry to NIDA's full-time courses?
Do I need experience before I apply?
Does NIDA give audition/interview feedback?
What is involved in the audition process for applicants for the Acting course?
What is involved in the interview process for applicants for the Design, Production, Properties, Costume, Directing, Playwriting, Movement Studies, Voice Studies courses?
How do I find out if my application has been successful?
Is my application fee refundable if I can't attend my audition/interview?
I need to stay overnight prior to my audition. Where can I stay?
There is a range of accommodation in the Sydney area near NIDA. The closest serviced apartment/motel to NIDA is Addisons on Anzac (www.addisonsonanzac.com.au).
Are there any quotas each year for specific groups such as for indigenous Australians, people from each State/Territory or international students?
Students are selected on the basis of talent, their potential to benefit from the NIDA training and their ability to contribute to the arts entertainment industry. There are no quotas based on state of origin, gender or ethnicity. Applications from indigenous and ethnic Australians are actively encouraged.
NIDA students come from diverse backgrounds, with varying levels of experience in theatre, film, television or other arts areas, including fashion, architecture and physical, vocal or visual arts expression.
Can international students apply to study at NIDA?
NIDA welcomes applications from international students. International students can apply for the Bachelor of Dramatic Art, Graduate Diploma and Masters at NIDA. International students are required by the Australian Government to pay full fees for their course and annual tuition fees must be paid up-front at the start of each year.
New Zealand citizens are not classified as overseas students and pay the same tuition fees as Australian citizens. However, NZ citizens are not eligible for financial assistance through FEE-HELP and must pay tuition fees up-front at the start of each year.
Applicants for the Acting course must come to Australia for an audition. International applicants for courses other than Acting must prepare a project and be interviewed, usually in Australia, by NIDA staff on the same basis as Australian applicants. In some circumstances the interview can be conducted through webcam.
Is there a limit on the number of international students?
As there are limited numbers of students in each course of study at NIDA, there are usually only a few international students at NIDA at any one time. In 2009 there are four international students. There are also two students from New Zealand. In 2008 there were five international students.
International students are required to have a high level of English language skills.
International students can also apply through UNSW Study Abroad to undertake one semester at NIDA, as part of a course of study at their home university. Study Abroad students can obtain credits for their home university course; they do not receive a NIDA transcript of academic achievement. There are usually up to four Study Abroad students at NIDA each year, mainly in the Acting course.
Are there any minimum or maximum age restrictions for entry to NIDA's full-time courses?
The minimum age for entry into the Bachelor of Dramatic Art courses in Acting, Design, Production, Costume and Properties is 18 years. Students are expected to be at least 18 years of age by 31 March of their first year of enrolment, although in exceptional circumstances this condition can be waived.
There is no maximum age. The ages of students accepted into the undergraduate courses in 2009 ranged from 18 to 30 years, with an average of 21.5 years in the Acting course.
Do I need experience before I apply?
For undergraduate courses, experience may help, but is not a requirement. If you have the opportunity to study drama at school or undertake short courses, such as those offered by NIDA's Open Program or other providers, or get involved with your local theatre group, this could be useful. NIDA audition and interview panels are experienced in recognising talent, raw or otherwise.
A level of experience is expected for the Graduate Diploma and Masters courses in Directing, Playwriting, Movement Studies, and Voice Studies.
Does NIDA give audition/interview feedback?
Due to the large number of people being auditioned or interviewed, it is not possible for NIDA to provide individual feedback, either orally or in writing. However, the auditions and interviews are learning experiences, particularly through the opportunity in the auditions to observe the presentation of audition pieces by other applicants and any redirection suggestions provided to you or other applicants by members of the audition panel.
What is involved in the audition process for applicants for the Acting course?
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 questions. This will be followed by voice and movement warm-up exercises.
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. We know that an audition can be a stressful experience, and we make allowances for nerves. We aim to make the process as enjoyable as possible. 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.
What is involved in the interview process for applicants for the Design, Production, Costume, Properties, Directing, Playwriting, Movement Studies, Voice Studies courses?
Depending on the number of applicants for each course in each state, up to six people attend at the same time. There is an initial group meeting with the NIDA staff member at which there is a talk about NIDA and the course and there is the opportunity to ask any questions.
Each applicant is then interviewed separately for 30-40 minutes and has the opportunity to talk about his/her aspirations and to discuss his/her project. While you are waiting for your interview, you can usually leave your project material, such as your model box and portfolio, in the interview room. Applicants for the Design and Properties courses may be asked to do some improvisational drawing. Applicants for the Costume course may be asked to do some sewing.
Applicants for the Graduate Diploma courses may be asked to work with NIDA Acting students or with applicants for the Acting course. Applicants for these courses may be asked to come back for a second interview.
There are no specific dress requirements for the interview - casual clothing is acceptable. We know that an interview can be a stressful experience, and we make allowances for nerves. We try to make the process as enjoyable as possible. Should you feel any concern with the interview process, or with what is said to you during the course of the interview, please express your concern immediately, or talk it over with the staff member before you leave.
How do I find out if my application has been successful?
Selections for all NIDA courses are made around the second week of December each year. At this time successful applicants will be advised initially by telephone and then in writing that they have been accepted into the course.
Those applicants for the Acting course 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.
Please note that 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 duration of the recall audition, then your application has not been successful and you will not receive any further notification from NIDA regarding your application.
Unsuccessful applicants for courses other than Acting will receive a letter advising of the outcome of their application.
If you are unsure of the outcome of your application, you can email applications@nida.edu.au or telephone (61 2) 9697 7614.
Is my application fee refundable if I can't attend my audition/interview?
The fee is only refundable in case of a medical problem, supported by a doctor's certificate, or in the case of a family/personal emergency.
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