At the start of the academic year, NIDA alum Grace McCann (Props & Effects, 2024), delivered an inspiring address to students, reflecting on her first year in the industry. Find out what Grace has been up to, what lessons she leans on and how the power of community is helping her soar.
Good morning everybody. Welcome (or welcome back) to the National Institute of Dramatic Art.
For those who don’t know me – hi! My name is Grace McCann, and I graduated in the Props & Effects class of 2024. That was just over a year ago now, so many of you do know me – it’s so nice to see you again!
My friends at NIDA have invited me back to share some of my experiences over the past year, and to reflect on how the things I learned here have helped me to navigate the Creative Arts Industry.
I came to NIDA fresh out of high school, with no idea what a career as a prop maker or as an artist meant. I just knew I liked to explore, to create, and to learn. I was told, as you would have been, that NIDA aims to equip people to succeed in the Dramatic Arts. It will get tough at times, the days can be long, the work can be hard, you may get frustrated at yourself and others. But it will also be rewarding, exciting, and provide a strong framework for your career.
My experience over the past year is that all of these things are true.
Since graduating at the end of 2024, I’ve been fortunate to work on some incredible projects with incredible people across theatre, film, and exhibitions.
My 2025 began on the other side of the world. At the end of my third year, I had the honour of receiving the Erin and Billy Ostadal Memorial Scholarship, which supported me in doing an international industry placement. I travelled to London to work as a scenic artist in The West End, on stage adaptations of My Neighbour Totoro, and The Seagull starring NIDA alum Cate Blanchett (Acting, 1992). I had to get that in somehow.
Then I came back to Australia and began to explore options for my career.
I spent a week in Melbourne with the wonderful company of Beetlejuice The Musical.
I worked on art and brand exhibitions, including Vivid Sydney.
I did a little TV advertising with M&C Saatchi.
I freelanced as a prop maker for several theatre shows, one of which was a re-presentation of a Festival production that I’d worked on here at NIDA called Abigail Williams.
And I got a job as a casual at the Powerhouse Museum.
That was the first six months!
Since July, I’ve been working on films at Disney Studios, just up the road. I recently finished on Streetfighter, where I was in the Special Effects department doing Breakaways. The film I’m on NOW… is a secret. Sorry!
So, that’s where I’ve been. Now, what have I learned from my first year out of NIDA?
Firstly, make the most of what you have.
At NIDA, you have access to an incredible range of materials, tools, techniques and teachers in a safe space to explore and take risks.
So, sign up for the events, absorb your classes, try new things and put yourself out there. If there’s ever a place to be bold, it’s at Drama School!
Studying at NIDA isn’t just about WHAT you learn, it’s about how TO learn.
In this industry, there are always new ideas, new technologies, techniques and tools. It’s exciting and dynamic, and it means that everybody is learning all the time. I’ve worked alongside people with decades of experience doing things they’ve never done before.
Nobody expects you to know it all, especially when you’re just starting out. So keep learning. Be curious, approach everything with a good attitude, and have confidence in your abilities to not only practice your craft, but to keep evolving it.
Secondly, every class serves a purpose.
You’ll cover a lot here at NIDA. In any course, you enjoy some classes more than others, and some classes may seem to make more sense than others. But they’re all there for a reason.
When I started working in the industry, I set up my own business as a sole trader.
I’ve had to learn how to hustle, how to build and manage a pipeline of work, and how to price that work and value the time that goes into it.
Fortunately, I was taught how to do all of that in Business Management class.
This class didn’t have any sculpting or moulding. It wasn’t about prop making. But it taught me so much that I needed to know before I could start working as a prop maker.
And if you didn’t learn it in a class, you can always ask your network. Our industry is a collaborative space. Ask your co-workers, peers, friends, and tutors about where to find work and how to value it. You can also come to alumni, like me!
Which brings me to my last point. Who you meet at NIDA is as important as what you learn.
One of the things that’s emphasised here is the value of collaboration and connection. Between your coursework and student productions, you’ll collaborate with your classmates, your cohort and other disciplines.
These connections will support and guide you through your time at NIDA and in the industry.
Some of you, like me, might find networking a little daunting. But it’s an essential part of working as an artist, and it’s a skill I began to develop here at NIDA.
Every job I’ve worked since graduating has been alongside artists that I met here. I’ve worked with my own classmates, fellow actors, designers and makers from my own cohort. I’ve also worked with past cohorts, and already, I’ve worked with the Class of 2025!
By being here and pursuing a career as an artist, you’ve become part of a community that runs deep and spreads wide. It’s global, it’s interdisciplinary, and it’s always growing.
So get to know your peers, your co-workers, your tutors and your industry guests. Say hi to everybody, and be friendly! Find the people you like to work with and keep in touch with them.
Just last week, I was here for NIDA’s annual Alumni Social. I heard the most amazing stories from graduates of 1975, 1981, 2015, 2025. And even though we’d never met, there was such a strong sense of community and connection.
So, I encourage you to connect with the people who came before you, the ones here with you, and those that will come after you.
I learned a lot in my three years at NIDA, and I’ve learned more since leaving. This is only the beginning of my journey, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me.
What I’ve really come to appreciate this past year is opportunity and community. I’ve found that most people in this industry are lovely. They want to help, because they’ve been where you are.
NIDA will give you the tools to succeed in the Dramatic Arts. It’s up to you to make use of them. So, appreciate every opportunity. Make the most of your time and resources. Connect with everybody. And make sure you ENJOY YOURSELF!
Now, I’d better get back to work. Have a wonderful year, and I’ll see you out there.
Feeling inspired? Want to learn more about NIDA’s study options? Click here.