Auditioning for a spot in one of NIDA’s Acting programs may feel daunting, but it’s also the start of an exciting journey. It’s a chance to share your voice, your perspective and your passion for performance.
We know that sending that audition video takes courage, so we asked seven NIDA alumni from the Bachelor of Fine Arts Acting, Diploma of Musical Theatre and Diploma of Stage and Screen Performance programs to share their best advice. These are words of wisdom from performing artists who have stood where you are standing and are building careers across stage and screen.
“Don’t think twice, just go for it. If you’re hesitating, that’s even more reason to give it a shot. You learn so much from the audition alone, even if you don’t get in. You learn a lot about yourself, about what you really want. It’s a chance to see if acting is truly for you, and you won’t know until you try.” – Ashan Kumar (Acting, 2021)
“Do it. It is one of the best decisions I ever made. It fed me creatively and opened my mind and many doors!” – Spencer McLaren (Acting, 1999)
“Go for it and give it your all. It is an incredible environment that will push the existing boundaries that you have as a performer and open you up to new opportunities including learning things about yourself that you would not have otherwise known. The days will be challenging but more importantly, they will be filled with fun and creativity.” – Paloma Renouf (Musical Theatre, 2023)
“Really ground yourself in a ‘why’. Why do you want to do this? It’s easy to get nervous and start thinking about what the audition panel want. Who cares what they want? They might not know until they see you! Find a sincere ‘why’. Whatever monologue you’re doing, why that one? Because it moves you? Because you adore the character? Do you relate, sympathise, or do you just think it’s hilarious? I want to help educate people. Make them feel less alone. That is my ‘why’. With a strong ‘why’, nerves will go, and creativity will fly.” – Clare Hughes (Acting, 2022)
“Give it a try! NIDA isn’t just looking for the most talented individuals, they are also seeking untapped potential. As long as you show that you have a good attitude and that you are open to being moulded into weird and wonderful shapes, you have a great chance of being accepted. And also, most people don’t get in their first try. So, try again if you think NIDA is where you want to end up. You have no idea where it might lead you. I would definitely say that doing the Diploma of Musical Theatre course gave me a great foundation to further my studies in the BFA in Acting.” – Ariyan Sharma (Acting, 2023) & (Musical Theatre, 2020)
“If you are willing to put in the work, a course like this has the potential to be incredible for you in all aspects. But you have to be willing to work. Courses like this can only help people who want to be helped, so if you love musical theatre, and you love the work, this course will do you wonders.” – Tana Laga’aia (Musical Theatre, 2023)
“When I went to NIDA all I wanted to do was learn and I consider this the best attitude I could have had. Soak it up like a sponge. You are offered so much from NIDA. What you leave with after your time there can support and nourish you for whatever the future may hold. Make the most of your time there as it is an invaluable launching pad into the industry.” – Ian Bliss (Acting, 1993)
Need some more pointers?
This guide will help in putting your best foot forward for your NIDA audition self-tape, and includes the technical requirements and expectations of our first round auditions for BFA Acting, BFA Singing Actor, Diploma of Musical Theatre and Diploma of Stage and Screen Performance.
Header image: Production image from The Effect, directed by Lou Quill for NIDA’s 2025 Festival of Emerging Artists. Excerpts from Lucy Prebble’s play The Effect. Photo by Julia Firak.