Autumn brings a rich harvest of entertainment, with NIDA alumni delivering captivating performances and offering behind the scenes expertise across an exciting spectrum of genres. From sweeping, large-scale productions to intimate theatrical works and even audio entertainment, our alumni are sharing their talent with Australia and the world. Prepare to be enthralled this April.
The highly anticipated wartime epic The Narrow Road to the Deep North arrives on Amazon Prime on 18 April, its creative engine powered by NIDA alumni. With Justin Kurzel (Design, 1995) at the helm as director and co-writer, the series follows Dorrigo Evans (Jacob Elordi), an Australian medical student who becomes a prisoner of war and is forced to work on the Burma railway during WWII. The cast includes Masa Yamaguchi (Acting, 2001), who was also the production’s fight coordinator, alongside Essie Davis (Acting, 1992), William Lodder (Diploma of Stage and Screen Performance, 2020), Fabian McCallum (Acting, 2019), Heather Michell (Acting, 1980) and David Howell (Diploma of Stage and Screen Performance, 2021). Shaping the story in crucial behind the scenes roles are Series Production and Costume Designer Alice Babidge (Design, 2004), Sewer Harriet Ayers (Costume, 2019), Costume Buyer Ally Mansell (Design, 2012), Background Costume Supervisor Felice Mercorella (Design, 2002), and Hayden Relf (Design, 2021) credited in the art department. Also vital to the production, Jenny Kent (Acting, 1991) was brought on as dialect coach, Morgan Smallbone (Directing, 2000) was part of the casting department, and Aidan Gillett (Acting, 2007) performed series stunts.
From 16 April, Richard Roxburgh (Acting, 1986) will bring his signature magnetism to the big screen in The Correspondent, a cinematic retelling of the true story of Australian war correspondent, Peter Greste, whose 2013 imprisonment sparked an international outcry. The gripping thriller was written by Peter Duncan (Directing, 1979) with Production Designer, Fiona Donavan (Design, 1992) and Costume Standby, Olivia Rowlands (Design, 2018 & Master of Design, 2020). Supporting cast for the film includes Yael Stone (Acting, 2006), Michael Denkha (Acting, 1995), Josh McConville (Acting, 2008). A story of courage, justice and freedom, this autumn release is unmissable. Audiobook lovers should also consider checking out the powerful and poignant memoir, Unveiled by Vincent Fantauzzo, narrated by Richard Roxburgh.
Looking for more audio entertainment recommendations? The Winning Formula by Cara Veloce is available on Audible with narrations by Ryan Corr (Acting, 2009), Maddy MacRae (Diploma of Stage and Screen Performance, 2020), Aaron Jeffery (Diploma of Acting, 1993), Annie Maynard (Acting, 2004) and Lucy Bell (Diploma of Acting, 1991). This racy romance follows F1 engineer Sienna Skye and driver Finn Di Santis who form a reluctant partnership to secure first place but wind up on a more complicated track. Will they make it through the season or crash and burn along the way?
Tennessee Williams’ timeless masterpiece, The Glass Menagerie, is on stage at the Ensemble Theatre from 21 March – 26 April, with NIDA alumni playing vital roles in its retelling. Danny Ball (Acting, 2016) and Bridie McKim (Acting, 2018) take on the iconic characters of Tom and Laura Wingfield, respectively, while Grace Deacon (Design, 2018 & Masters of Design, 2020) crafted the production’s visual world with set and costume design. The atmosphere and emotional depth of the play are further shaped by Lighting Designer Verity Hampson (Technical Production, 2005) as well as Dialect Coach Linda Nicholls-Gidley (Voice Studies, 1998), Stage Manager, Krystelle Quartermain (Diploma of Live Production and Technical Services, 2018 & Technical Theatre and Stage Management, 2021, Assistant Stage Manager Lara Kyriazis (Diploma of Live Production and Technical Services, 2023), and Costume Supervisor Lily Mateljan (Costume, 2022).
Don’t look back! Hadestown, the Tony and Grammy Award-winning sensation, is on stage at Theatre Royal Sydney until 26 April before following the railway to Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne from 8 May. Curious about who’s behind some of the incredible costumes and props on stage? Sandra Bardwell (Diploma of Theatre Crafts, 1996), Sasha Wisniowski (Costume, 2018), Angela Doherty (Design, 2019), Tamsyn Balogh-Caristo (Costume, 2022), Natalie Beeson (Costume, 2018), Jo-Anne Parkin (Diploma of Theatre Crafts, properties, 1996) and Meg Roberts (Production Crafts, Properties, 2009) are the NIDA graduates who have worked their magic on this production to build the immersive underworld. Be prepared for one hell of a show.
Get ready to have your rom-com expectations upended with Amber at the Old Fitz Theatre. This fresh and funny new production won the Rebel Wilson Comedy Commission (2021) by asking what happens when your real-life love story doesn’t follow the Richard Curtis script. Written by and starring Nikita Waldron (Acting, 2017), the show is directed by Mehhma Malhi (Directing, 2024) and produced by Zoë Hollyoak (Directing, 2022). Commanding the stage are acting talents, Ashan Kumar (Acting, 2021), Esha Jessy (Acting, 2024), Harry Stacey (Acting, 2022) and Kurt Ramjan (Acting, 2017). Crafting the world behind the scenes is Set and Costume Designer Hailley Hunt (Design for Performance, 2022), Lighting Designer Izzy Morrissey (Technical Theatre and Stage Management, 2023), and Sound Designer and Composer Madeleine Picard (Technical Theatre and Stage Management, 2023).