DIRECTING FULL-TIME

Bringing to life an evening of theatre is the greatest challenge, and the best training young directors, actors and dramatic writers can have.

- Francis Ford Coppola

Directing requires a broad knowledge of all the arts of the theatre, as well as the technical aspects of sound and light. A director must have something to say about the world in which we live and be a good manager of people. The NIDA Directing course is run by Egil Kipste.

NIDA encourages prospective directors with some professional or practical experience in the craft of directing to consider taking advantage of the many and varied facilities and expertise that NIDA has to offer.

NIDA does not seek directors who already fit comfortably into an existing marketplace, but rather is looking for brave souls who are determined to push the boundaries of current theatre practise. We seek directors who will re-define the relationship between the storyteller and the audience with each project.

In return, NIDA offers formal class work and the opportunity to work with actors, designers, lighting, sound, and AV designers both from within NIDA and from the profession. Students also receive intense training in the areas of arts administration, marketing, publicity and fund-raising.

The director's career path is not an easy one, yet these people have the potential to re-shape the future of the performing arts in a radical and affirmative way. NIDA continues to support its post-graduates long after they have graduated.

There are two courses offered at NIDA in Directing, the Graduate Diploma of Dramatic Art and the Master of Dramatic Art. Both are one year full-time courses. For details see below.

Graduate Diploma of Dramatic Art | Directing

DURATION

The Graduate Diploma of Dramatic Art specialising in Directing is a one year full-time course.

AIM

The Directing course is designed to provide developing directors with a comprehensive knowledge of acting, design and stage management, to nurture their leadership skills, enhance their ability to collaborate with artists, technicians and arts administrators, and to provide a foundation on which to build careers in the arts entertainment industry.

APPROACH

NIDA recognises that each student will be an individual artist. The course is designed to develop individual skills and knowledge, as well as a sense of leadership and accurate communication.

The course includes:

formal class work, seminars and tutorials in directing, acting, music, research, repertoire, design, technical theatre, stage management, arts administration and the history of theatre
working as Assistant Director on NIDA productions
the preparation, rehearsal and presentation of short play productions.
Particular emphasis is placed on the director's methods of communication with actors, designers, and playwrights and on the development of repertoire.

Subjects are Directing, Dramaturgy, Financial Management, Technical Theatre, Production Planning, Administration, Design, Acting, Film Studies, Music, History of Theatre, Play Production, and Professional Development.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants seeking admission must:

have reached the age of 22 before the commencement of the course (in exceptional circumstances this may be waived)
hold an appropriate tertiary education qualification, either degree or diploma
have some knowledge of dramatic literature and some experience of theatre (professional, university or amateur) or experience of an allied activity such as radio, film or television
show at an interview a high level of intelligence, practical ability, artistic sense, authority, tact, potential and motivation
be fluent in spoken and proficient in written English language (equivalent to an overall band score of 8.0 IELTS).

All subjects are compulsory. NIDA students are required to complete a confidential health questionnaire to demonstrate their medical fitness to undertake the course and to assist NIDA in its duty of care to students.

The primary criteria for admission to the Graduate Diploma of Dramatic Art, Directing stream are a creative imagination and the potential to make a career as a director in the arts entertainment industry.

For more information about applying to the Directing course, click here.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications for the full-time courses are accepted from 1 July and close on 30 September each year. Applications must be submitted on a current NIDA Application Form, available from 1 July.

Completed Application Forms must be accompanied by the non-refundable application fee and a passport size photograph.

Click here for further information.

AUDITIONS AND INTERVIEWS

Applicants for the Graduate Diploma of Dramatic Art are required to attend an interview. Interviews take place in November and early December in all capital cities of Australia except Canberra. You must attend your interview in person. Some applicants may be asked to attend a second interview. For overseas applicants an initial interview by webcam could be considered.

Preparation for the interview requires completion of a project. Project information is available on the website or can be forwarded by mail following receipt of an application. At the interview applicants may be required to work with applicants for NIDA's Acting Course or with NIDA students in the rehearsal and presentation of short scenes.

FEES

All students are required to pay tuition fees. These fees can either be paid in full at the commencement of each year or eligible students can receive a FEE-HELP loan from the Australian Government up to the FEE-HELP limit to cover all or part of their tuition fees. The FEE-HELP limit is indexed each year.

Students repay their loan through the tax system once their income is above the minimum level for compulsory repayment. For more information on FEE-HELP see http://www.goingtouni.gov.au/

For more information please refer to the Fees section of the website.

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FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Eligible NIDA students can apply for assistance through Youth Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY.

Title of Qualification: Graduate Diploma of Dramatic Art

Head of Course: Egil Kipste

Commencement Date: Tuesday 27 January 2009

Age: Recommended 22+

Location of Course: NIDA

Contact details:
215 Anzac Parade
KENSINGTON NSW 2033
Tel: +61 2 9697 7600
Email: contact form

Applications: If you are thinking about applying for entry into the Graduate Diploma of Dramatic Art, Directing stream, or the Master of Dramatic Art, Directing stream, please refer to the Applications section of the website.

CRICOS Provider Code: 00756M

Master of Dramatic Art | Directing

DURATION

The Master of Dramatic Art (MDA) specialising in Directing is a one year full-time course.

AIM

The Directing stream of the Master of Dramatic Art is intended for highly talented directors with at least two years experience working as a director within the performing arts. The course is designed to assist directors to master the play production process, enhance their skills and develop a technically sound, highly personal and creative approach to directing a play.

APPROACH

The course consists of four components:

The production of a full-length play with design, stage management and technical support
A supervised research thesis into an important aspect of theatre production
A secondment to work on a professional production with a theatre, film or television company
Study of Dramaturgy by working closely with members of the NIDA Playwrights Studio on the development of new work.

Students also participate in selected class work and projects and teach and/or direct projects with undergraduates

The standard educational qualification for entry to the Master of Dramatic Art, Directing is NIDA's Graduate Diploma of Dramatic Art, Directing. Applicants should also meet the criteria (i) to (vii) listed below. NIDA also encourages applications for admission from graduates of other institutions who have an arts related degree, an extensive knowledge of dramatic literature, a working knowledge of the play production process, who can demonstrate at least two years working in the profession as a director or assistant director and who can meet the criteria (i) to (vii) listed below.

It is expected that no more than two students will be admitted to the Master of Dramatic Art, Directing in any one year.

In order to gain admission to the Master of Dramatic Art, Directing applicants must demonstrate:

(i) exceptional directing, communication and/or teaching skills
(ii) a special aptitude in their field of study (a developed aesthetic and/or area of specialist skills or knowledge)
(iii) the ability to work harmoniously in the theatre co-operative
(iv) a secure working knowledge of the acting process, design and visual arts, music and/or dance/movement
(v) a strong imaginative view of theatre and its place in history and society
(vi) a working knowledge of professional play production practices
(vii) the potential to contribute significantly to the NIDA teaching program.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications for the Master of Dramatic Art must be submitted on a current NIDA Application Form, available from 1 July. If you are interested in applying for the Master of Dramatic Art specialising in Directing, please contact NIDA using our web contact form for initial discussions on your experience and interests.

Completed Application Forms must be accompanied by a non-refundable application fee and a passport size photograph.

Click here for further information.

AUDITIONS AND INTERVIEWS

Applicants for the Master of Dramatic Art are required to attend an interview. Interviews take place in November and early December in all capital cities of Australia except Canberra. You must attend your interview in person. Some applicants may be asked to attend a second interview. For overseas applicants an initial interview by webcam could be considered.

Preparation for the interview requires completion of a project. Project information is available on the website or can be forwarded by mail following receipt of an application. At their interview applicants may be required to work with applicants from NIDA's Acting Course or with NIDA students in the rehearsal and presentation of short scenes.

FEES

Students repay their loan through the tax system once their income is above the minimum level for compulsory repayment. For more information on FEE-HELP see http://www.goingtouni.gov.au/

For more information please refer to the Fees section of the website.

Title of Qualification: Master of Dramatic Art

Head of Course: Egil Kipste

Commencement Date: Tuesday 27 January 2009

Location of Course: NIDA

Contact Details:
215 Anzac Parade
KENSINGTON NSW 2033
Tel: +61 2 9697 7600
Email: contact form

Applications: If you are thinking about applying for entry into the Graduate Diploma of Dramatic Art or Master of Dramatic Art, Directing stream, please complete the NIDA contact form for initial discussions on your experience and interests. You can also refer to the Applications section of the website for details of the application process.