Identical twins Brodie and Nic Chong had their hearts set on NIDA’s Diploma of Stage and Screen Performance (DSSP) course for years before being accepted for the 2025 cohort. Raised in Cairns before moving to Brisbane, the brothers discovered their passion for performance through a mix of family storytelling, supportive mentors, and a creative community. In this interview, they reflect on the journey from regional Queensland to NIDA, the lessons they’ve already learned, and their advice for aspiring performers chasing the same dream.
Congratulations on being accepted to NIDA’s DSSP Course! What was that moment like when you both found out you’d been accepted?
Brodie: It was such a relieving moment, I actually made a mistake in my number when placing in my details, so when Mark Gaal (Deputy Director of Learning and Innovation – Vocational Studies) called Nic at 9am, I didn’t get the call until around 3pm, so for the day I was thinking that I was going to be living in a different state to Nic. When we received the call, it was like a dream come true.
You grew up in Cairns, how did your upbringing there shape you as performers? Was there a strong creative community around you?
Brodie: While we did have an amazing drama teacher in school and were blessed to come from a family of storytellers, we didn’t get in touch with our creative side until we moved to Brisbane. After trying to push for a career I didn’t fully want, we got into touch with Brisbane-based acting teacher, Gareth Harris, and we were amazed by how much of a supportive community there is.
As twins, were you drawn to the same kinds of stories and performers growing up, or did you respond to different things?
Brodie: While we do have a lot of similarities, I do feel we are drawn to different pieces of creative works. In Cairns, we loved similar movies like The Green Mile and Interstellar. I think we found some differences as we moved from Cairns to Brisbane and grew our own unique tastes.
You both auditioned for NIDA multiple times, what made you want to try again and how does it feel now that you’re here?
Nic: It’s been everything we could have imagined, the work is hard and rewarding. The lecturers are incredible and have so much experience. The team is amazing and we’re all very close. In all the years of training, getting into NIDA is the first time we can say ‘we had a goal, we aimed, and we got it’. It’s been incredible.
Brodie: It was hard to articulate but I knew that the process of applying was making me a better actor, and I always felt inspired doing these auditions without knowing the potential outcome, I just knew I was improving my skills, and that would translate into my classes and my everyday life.
What’s been the biggest challenge or learning curve in the course so far and how have you overcome it?
Nic: I always had the habit of ‘putting on’ for the camera – overacting, showing, not being present. It’s been wonderful to place so much time into just being still, present, and just being myself in a scene is enough.
Brodie: My habits are actually quite similar. I have a tendency to ‘show’ not tell; be presentational. Just myself is enough. I’ve also found I need to find ways to safely and creatively access challenging emotions.
What advice would you give to other performers from regional areas who dream of training at NIDA?
Nic: Brodie and I auditioned three times over four years, and the years before we placed so much pressure on ourselves to be ‘a good fit’ for NIDA and show that we’re ’good actors’ (whatever that means). We only received the callback when we relaxed, enjoyed the audition process and loved life regardless of the result. Along with that, find a community (whether it be an acting class or community theatre) and go out and be actors, and enjoy what comes from it.
Another factor that I would consider at the audition is whatever the feedback or redirection you get – fully commit to whatever objective you have, it’s always better to ‘send it’ and get asked to pull back than not give enough.
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