Work experience

NIDA offers courses in a wide variety of professions that are involved in the theatre, film, and TV.

Our work experience program offers interested year 10 and 11 students the chance to spend a week with us at NIDA to observe and, where possible, participate in classes.

Our programs will not only give you a taste of what it’s like to study at NIDA but also an opportunity to see what skills and tasks the career you are considering involves.

Please note that all work experience is held at NIDA, Kensington in Sydney.

NIDA does not run work experience for Acting.

Work Experience – the What and When

If you have a passion for

Course

Work Experience Weeks

  • Design (sets, costumes, lighting)

BFA (Design)

  • Mon 24th April– Fri 28th April 2023 (not including Tues 25th due to public holiday).
  • Mon 1st May – Fri 5th May 2023.
  • Mon 11th September – Fri 15th September 2023.
  • Mon 18th September – Fri 22nd September 2023.
  • Sewing
  • Making costumes
  • Making hats, shoes

BFA (Costume)

  • Mon 29th May – Fri 2nd June 2023.
  • Mon 5th June – Fri 9th June 2023.
  • Mon 16th Oct – Fri 20th Oct 2023.
  • Mon 23rd Oct – Fri 27th Oct 2023.
  • Making objects (from wood, metal, plasticine, paper)
  • Sculpting
  • Making puppets
  • Making furniture

BFA (Properties and Objects)

  • Mon 25th September – Fri 29th September 2023.
  • Mon 2nd October – Fri 6th October 2023.
  • Building and constructing (carpentry, metal working)
  • Problem solving
  • Seeing how things work
  • Machinery

BFA (Scenic Construction and Technologies)

  • Mon 10th July – Fri 14th July 2023.
  • Monday 17th July – Fri 21st July   2023.
  • Mon 24th July – Fri 28th July 2023.
  • Mon 31st July – Fri 4th August 2023.
  • Mon 7th August – Fri 11th August 2023.
  • Mon 6th November – Friday 10th November 2023.
  • Mon 13th November – Fri 17th November 2023.
  • Mon 20th November – Fri 24th November 2023.
  • Mon 27th November – Fri 1st Dec 2023.
  • Mon 4th Dec – Fri 8th Dec 2023.
  • Lighting
  • Sound
  • Stage Management

BFA (Technical Theatre and Stage Management)

  • Mon 15th May – Fri 19th May 2023.
  • Mon 22nd May – Fri 26th May 2023.
  • Mon 29th May – Fri 2nd June   2023.
  • Tues 3rd Oct - Fri 6th Oct 2023 (4-day week due to Public Holiday).
  • Mon 9th Oct – Fri 13th Oct 2023.
  • Mon 16th Oct – Fri 20th Oct 2023.

Eligibility

NIDA Work Experience is open to school students in year 10 or 11 who have:

  • an interest in the performing arts
  • completed the online application form for NIDA Work Experience
  • a letter of support from their school
  • a letter of consent from their parental/guardian
  • the ability to attend a week at NIDA during the specified period
  • are covered by your educational institution’s Public Liability Insurance

Application Dates

We are currently accepting applications for 2023. Applications for 2023 close on Thursday 1st June 2023.

Please refer to the ‘Work Experience – the What and When’ table to see what weeks are on offer for the course you’re interested in applying for.

How To Apply

To apply for work experience, CLICK HERE to complete the online application form.

What you will need to complete this form:

1. A letter of support from your educational institution.
2. Proof of your Public Liability Insurance as provided by your educational institution.
3. A letter of consent from your parent/guardian.

Due to the large number of applications we receive each year, we are unfortunately unable to place every student who applies into the work experience program. Every applicant will be informed via email if they are successful or not.

Should you have any further queries, please contact applications@nida.edu.au

Testimonials

'NIDA has given me a lot of experience and has inspired me to continue to strive to reach my goals. Thank you for the opportunity!'

'The perfect mix of activities will send me out the door spreading the word about how extraordinary NIDA is.'

'NIDA work experience was a week I will never forget… All of the students were so welcoming, and I hope that in the future I will be one of them.'

'Experiencing a mix of class has been a great opportunity and I can take back loads of new things I have learnt.'

'I have enjoyed everything tremendously! I have learnt so much during my short visit and wish I could stay longer.'

'Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant.'

'During the week I’ve had here I have realised this is where I want to be. Everybody is so friendly, kind and welcoming… I have learnt so much and I’m definitely going to audition.'

Page functions

NIDA acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the sacred lands, from the mountains to the sea, on which we learn and tell stories.

The lands of the Bidjigal, Gadigal, Dharawal and Dharug peoples. We pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past and present.