NIDA acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we learn and tell stories, the Bidjigal, Gadigal, Dharawal and Dharug peoples, and we pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past and present.

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Course Highlight: Behind the Scenes (NSW)

The process of rehearsing a script can often seem elusive and something that only the actors and the director have the privilege of participating in. For many of us, this mystery remains just that, but not anymore. NIDA is opening its rehearsal room doors to showcase this very special process to students in grades 4-6!

Lights, Camera, Action! But wait… what happens before the audience comes in to see the show? How do actors take a written play and build characters, scenes and story for an audience to enjoy?

The process of rehearsing a script can often seem elusive and something that only the actors and the director have the privilege of participating in. For many of us, this mystery remains just that, but not anymore. NIDA is opening its rehearsal room doors to showcase this very special process to students in grades 4-6!

Behind the Scenes provides a rare opportunity for students to see actors at work as they demystify the process of rehearsing a scene. Students learn how a scene is moved from the page to the stage and consider how the elements of drama and performance styles can be used to create meaning for an audience.

NIDA Schools Program Manager, Maree Freeman, describes how Behind the Scenes offers a unique creative arts experience to upper primary students.

‘Often we step into a theatre or turn on the TV and the show is there ready for us to view. In reality, there are so many interesting and challenging decisions that have to be made before the show is ready for viewing. The process of how something is put together is eternally interesting and students will discover the intricacy of choices that artists are confronted with in the rehearsal process,’ said Freeman.

Students will witness a director work with actors on a scene. Through the rehearsal process, the artists will utilise the elements of drama to build the dramatic meaning of the scene. Students will observe the process by which artists experiment with actions and character to ultimately create a complete theatrical statement.

‘Following the rehearsal demonstration, students will then have the opportunity to think on their feet as they put their new found rehearsal skills into practice. Working in small groups, students will workshop their own piece of scripted drama and experiment with the dramatic choices required to make it performance ready. This process of experiential learning is key to our creative arts approach here at NIDA,’ added Freeman.

Behind the Scenes is set to be an exciting and fascinating look behind the curtain and an experience for students that will have them talking long after they leave the building.

Take a look online and book your group in today!