Oh, the Humanity and Other Good Intentions – The National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA)

About the show

Oh, the Humanity and Other Good Intentions gathers three absurdly tender short plays about the strange comedy of being human.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Rain –finds two hopeful daters record video profiles for an online dating service, presenting polished versions of themselves before slipping into awkward, vulnerable confession.

Enter the Spokeswoman, Gently – follows a young woman announcing a cancelled company picnic after a plane crash. She’s not qualified for the job, but it got her out of hospitality. Her corporate professionalism spectacularly unravels as she spirals about grief.

Finally, Oh, the Humanity – a man and woman having “car troubles”, whilst arguing over whether they’re headed to a funeral or a christening, until a new figure shows up change everything – or absolutely nothing.

A Pulitzer Prize–nominated playwright known for blending existential humour with emotional honesty, Eno reveals how ridiculous and tender we are when trying to hold it all together. Funny, fragile, and unexpectedly moving, these plays invite us to laugh at the discomfort and recognise ourselves in it.

Ava Rusch

Ava Rusch is an emerging Australian director with a focus on expressionism and realism through a contemporary lens. She holds a Bachelor of Creative Industries (Drama) from TAFE Queensland with the University of Canberra.

Her directorial credits include music videos I’m Not Sorry (2026) and Seventeen by Worm Girlz (2025) NIDA and Triple j Unearthed. Theatre credits – Banging Denmark by Van Badham (2025) ACA and NIDA.
In 2024 Ava directed Salad Days Collective’s Matilda Award winning body of work, which included Love by Patricia Cornelius, Scenes with Girls by Miriam Battye, and After the End by Dennis Kelly.

Additional theatre credits are Seascape with Sharks and Dancer by Don Nigro (2023) and The Invitation (2022). She has worked as an assistant director on Checklist for an Armed Robber (dir. Tasnim Hossain) and Orpheus in the Underworld (dir. Constantine Costi) at NIDA.

Currently undertaking her Masters of Fine Arts (Directing) at NIDA, Ava continues to pursue work that resonates with the present moment. She is committed to directing bold, relevant stories that always ask: Why this play? Why now?

I believe we can all be kinder to ourselves.

In these plays, the characters begin by doing what they think they must to manage their emotions, until the effort of holding it together becomes too much. Will Eno’s world is absurd but deeply familiar, filled with people trying, failing, and attempting to connect. I hope the audience can recognise themselves here, laughing along with the discomfort and finding tenderness in the mess of being human.

– Ava Rusch

TBA

Please be advised there will be a ten-minute lockout at the start of the show. This performance contains adult themes, sexual references, strobe lighting, and haze and fog effects.

Oh, the Humanity and Other Good Intentions Company Sheet

The Company

CAST (in order of appearance)

Gentleman/Man 2: Jacob Miles

Lady/Spokeswoman: Ellie Triplett

Woman: Billie Daly

Man: Sam McGown*

Writer: Will Eno

Director: Ava Rusch

Costume, Props & Set Designer: Jake Molloy

Lighting Designer: Darcy Duncan

Sound Designer: Alegra (Reyn) Penrose

Movement Choreographer: Troy Honeysett*

Voice Coach: Patrick Klavins*

Production Manager: Jared Mcculla*

Company Stage Manager: Eloise Tanti

Production Assistant: Amelie McCarthy*

Construction Manager: Luca Mark

Costume Supervisor: Mali Smedts

System Manager: Max Bradley

Make-up Artist: Daniela Rose*

Key

*Guest Artist
** NIDA Staff

Thank you to ResolutionX (ResX) for their hire equipment and to the students from the Diploma of Live Production & Technical Services for their assistance during bump-in.