NIDA FOUNDATION trust GALA DINNER

The fifth NIDA Foundation Trust Annual Fundraising Dinner Behind the Curtain was held on Friday 22 July 2011 and was a monumental success. This annual event is critical to the Trust’s ability to raise money for NIDA Student Bursaries and over the past 5 years has raised over $500,000.

This year the theme was 1960s Style & Elegance with the student designers transforming the Nancy Fairfax Foyer into a speakeasy bar and the Parade Theatre stage into a stunning 1960’s dining room. Behind the Curtain was host to numerous stage and screen stars including our own graduates Bridie Carter, Ryan Corr, Tara Morice, and Philip Quast to name a few.

Matt Moran’s team from Aria Catering served up a stunning three course menu which was beautifully complimented by wines from Tempus Two. The NIDA students entertained guests with exceptional performances which included NIDA’s very own Rat Pack and comedy duo. Guests had the opportunity once again to win some stunning gifts donated by BVLGARI including a Serpenti diamond watch and an Isabella Rossellini handbag. The ‘Pick A Box’ inspired silent auction had nine incredible prizes and was our most successful auction to date.

All the funds raised at the event are directed towards Student Scholarships, Secondments, and Opportunities for Artistic Development. Scholarships and Bursaries help to ease the financial burden on NIDA students as long school days, extra rehearsals and secondments make it almost impossible to hold any casual work throughout the year.

The NIDA Foundation Trust always greatly appreciates support from our donors and we look forward to next year’s opportunity to put NIDA on display with great anticipation! For further information on next year’s event keep an eye on this page, or feel free to email giving@nida.edu.au.

If you would like to offer support for this event through sponsorship, donating a prize, or purchasing a table please contact giving@nida.edu.au or (02) 9697 7678.

Photos by Phil Carrick - Behind the Curtain 2011