BOX SEAT | February 2008

Dear <~~First~~>, Welcome to the first Box Seat for 2008. Our graduating students are hard at work on their First Term productions: The Servant of Two Masters directed by Darren Gilshenan and Love for Love directed by Adam Cook. If classics are more your style, the Second Year students are presenting two great masterpieces, Gorky's Summerfolk and Chekhov's Uncle Vanya. Listen to this month's podcast for a discussion with the director and designer of Uncle Vanya. NIDA Open Program has a huge range of courses starting soon as well as presenting NIDA-DEVISED. If you haven't booked your place for the Autumn Holiday courses, make sure you get in quickly. The deadline for bookings is 14 March. A whole new range of merchandise is also now available through Open Program on the NIDA website www.nida.edu.au Finally, congratulations to all of the NIDA graduates who were nominated for the 2007 Sydney Theatre Awards. For a list click here to go to About NIDA > Media Releases.

FEATURE PODCAST | UNCLE VANYA CLASSIC NATURALISM AT NIDA		STAGE RIGHT RHYS CHAPMAN | PROPS
		How did you feel on your first day at NIDA? It was a kind of excited apprehensive feeling. I was excited because of what I had heard from other students from my course and apprehensive because of NIDA’s reputation. I’ve also gotten lost a lot…
		Want to read more about Rhys...?

OPEN DAY 31 MAY 2008		GRADUATION PRODUCTIONS A COMIC FEAST		NIDA DEVISED SCHOOLS PERFORMANCE
If you have ever wanted to know what it's like to study at NIDA, 31 May 2008 is your chance. The NIDA Open Day flings open the doors to the NIDA theatres, rehearsal rooms and classes. Get behind the scenes and get involved with workshops, performances and presentations by NIDA students and staff. To find out more about activities and events on the day keep an eye on www.nida.edu.au		Two deliciously farcical comedies kick off the NIDA 2008 Play Production Program. Get set to follow the antics of the scheming Angelica in William Congreve’s Restoration Comedy, Love for Love, and the tricky Truffaldino, in Carlos Goldini’s legendary 18th century Commedia dell'arte inspired The Servant of Two Masters. Full of mistaken identities, disguises, deception, and the duplicities of society, don’t miss NIDA’s Third Year students presenting their version of these witty, ironic and well-loved comic feasts. Tickets on sale 3 March.		How do you devise dynamic theatre? Schools are invited to bring drama students to see NIDA-DEVISED, a collection of short performance works brought to life by professional actors in a NIDA venue. A variety of approaches to devising will be explored during a one hour performance, followed by a demonstration of the devising process. This is the perfect forum to introduce secondary drama students to the process of playbuilding, and for HSC students to be challenged and inspired for their group performance. 14,15 May 10.30am or 6.00pm and 16 May at 10.30am.
To register your interest click here.		To register your interest click here.		Click here or email j.cowell@nida.edu.au

OPEN PROGRAM SHORT COURSES ADULTS		DRAMA CLASSES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE		CORPORATE PERFORMANCE 2008 SEMINAR SERIES
Ever considered developing your talents? NIDA Open Program offers access to NIDA expertise and facilities throughout the year. Join us in the evenings or on weekends to extend your skills with NIDA tutors. Courses starting from March and April include: acting, auditions, dance, design, directing, improvisation, lighting, production, sound, tv presenting, video and voice. Click below to book online or phone 02 9697 7626.		Term 1 drama classes have now started. We welcome all young people from ages 2 to 18 years to join in the fun, with classes available in acting, screen acting, singing, HSC Drama and voice and public speaking. Be challenged and inspired by great tutors in a class with other creative kids! Classes are filling fast so book online below or phone 02 9697 7626. Please note: NIDA Autumn Holiday courses deadline for earlybird prices is 14 March 2008.		She Means Business is an enriching seminar series focussing on critical management and communication issues for women. Under the skilful direction of Australian actor and corporate trainer, Debra Lawrance, participants will explore compelling views on what it takes to command attention and create a meaningful and powerful impression. She Means Business seminars will be held in 2008, touring to capital cities and regional centres across Australia. Visit Corporate Training to reserve your place now.
Click here to book online.		Click here to book online.		To reserve your place, click here.

	GEORGE OGILVIE: AUTOBIOGRAPHY | SPECIAL OFFER George Ogilvie, one of Australia’s best-loved theatre directors, tells in this remarkable autobiography the story of a boy growing up in provincial Australia who wanted to be an actor so badly he endured hunger, pain and despair to achieve it. It begins with a penniless teenager joining the last melodrama company in England and ends with a standing ovation at the Sydney Opera House. $21 + $9 postage for NIDA Box Seat readers only. Offer ends 31 March.  For more details click here.

HELLO AGAIN | DARLINGHURST | DOUBLE PASS TUE 19 FEB 10 sexual encounters span the 20th Century, 10 hearts bruised by reckless passion, Hello Again is a musical adaptation of Schnitzler's La Ronde by Michael John LaChiusa. Attempting to ease their loneliness, 10 characters mistake sex for intimacy. To win, fill out a Box Seat survey by clicking the 'Any Comments' button at the top of this bulletin. Hello Again runs until February 23. Tix $35 & $30. To book phone 02 8356 9987 or click here.

THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY | 5 DOUBLE PASSES TO BE WON The remarkable true story of Jean-Dominique Bauby, a successful and charismatic editor-in-chief of French Elle, who believes he is living his life to its absolute fullest when a sudden stroke leaves him in a life-altered state. He begins to discover how his life's passions, his rich memories and his newfound imagination can help him achieve a life without boundaries. To win a double pass answer: What are the names of the two plays in the Naturalism Season at NIDA? Please email your answer & postal address to marketing@nida.edu.au with ‘Butterfly’ in the Subject. For more details click here.

DENDY - THE KING OF KONG | 10 DOUBLES TO ADVANCED SCREENING The King of Kong follows the rivalry between two men who battle for the highest score in the arcade game Donkey Kong. To win a double pass valid for the advanced screening weekend (Fri 22 Feb – Sun 24 Feb) answer: What does NIDA Corporate Performance specialise in? Please email your answer & postal address to marketing@nida.edu.au with ‘Kong’ in the Subject. For more details click here.

THE BLACK BALOON | 10 DOUBLES TO GIVEAWAY It’s not easy being Thomas Mollison. He’s turning 16, and his autistic brother Charlie embarrasses him. So do his wacky parents. The Black Balloon is funny and ultimately heart-warming. A coming of age story about fitting in, discovering teenage love and accepting your family. To win, answer: What full-time courses does NIDA offer other than Acting? Please email your answer & postal address to marketing@nida.edu.au with ‘Kong’ in the Subject. For more details click here.