Cue the lights because April is serving drama you won’t want to miss. Read on to see where our alumni are bringing stories to life across stages, screens and behind the scenes:
The Deb waltzes into cinemas on 9 April, following high school outcasts as they chase self-acceptance (and dates) ahead of the Debutante Ball. Written by Hannah Reilly and directed by Rebel Wilson, this glittering coming-of-age comedy features a strong showing of NIDA alumni, including Tara Morice (Acting, 1987), Briana Bishop (Musical Theatre, 2017), Alex Champion de Crespigny (Stage and Screen Performance, 2021), Susan Prior (Acting, 1991) and Sophea Pennington (Stage and Screen Performance, 2021), with Set Buyer/Dresser Andrew Crichton (Design, 1985) Stunt Actor Aidan Gillett (Acting, 2007) and Costume Standby Assistant Lucy Jauristo (Costume, 2021).
Hakuna Matata, Sydney. Disney’s The Lion King returns as the mane event at Capitol Theatre from 18 April with spectacular puppetry and a dazzling fusion of music, movement and design. Keep an eye out for NIDA alumni Benn Welford (Acting, 2007) as Zazu and Chemon Theys (Musical Theatre, 2017; Acting, 2025) in the ensemble. It’s time to feel the love tonight.
Sanaz Toossi’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, English arrives at the Seymour Centre from 9 April, exploring the awkward, funny and deeply human experience of learning a new language in Iran, and what gets lost along the way. There’s a strong NIDA alumni presence with Set Designer Soham Apte (Design for Performance, 2021), Costume Designer Rita Naidu (Design for Performance, 2021), Production Manager Izzy Morrissey (Technical Theatre and Stage Management, 2023) and Dialect Coach Linda Nicholls-Gidley (Voice Studies, 1998). On stage, Minerva Khodabande (Musical Theatre, 2021; Acting, 2025) co-stars in this production, bringing to life a story she describes as, “a dream come true”. Read our recent interview with Minerva to hear more about the role, her process and the stories that matter most to her.
Olga Tokarczuk’s genre-defying whodunnit, Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead is playing now until 3 May at Belvoir St Theatre Co. A reclusive woman turns detective when a series of murders shakes her remote community, uncovering a mystery that blurs the lines between the human and animal world. This provocative production features a powerhouse lineup of NIDA alumni including Paula Arundell (Acting, 1995), Colin Moody (Acting, 1990) and Ziggy Resnick (Acting, 2021), alongside creatives, Lighting Designer Morgan Moroney (Technical Theatre and Stage Management, 2021), Costume Designer Ella Butler (Design for Performance, 2017), Associate Sound Designer Madeleine Picard (Technical Theatre and Stage Management, 2023) and Assistant Director Ayah Tayeh (Technical Theatre and Stage Management, 2019).
Still waters run deep and Sydney Theatre Co’s The River hides secrets beneath the surface. Jez Butterworth’s haunting play takes place in a remote riverside cabin on a moonless night, where a weekend of romance and trout fishing takes an unsettling turn. Starring Miranda Otto (Acting, 1990) alongside Andrea Demetriades (Acting, 2006) with Assistant Director Kenneth Moraleda (Acting 1995) and Lighting Designer Damien Cooper (Technical Production, 1996), shaping this slow-burning, atmospheric mystery.
Anton Chekhov’s Three Sisters is a story of love, longing and dreams; a Russian classic that arrives at The Old Fitz Theatre on 17 April. Brought to the stage by a talented collective, including Producer and Co-star Madeline Li (Acting, 2023), Assistant Producers and Co-starts Teodora Matovic (Acting, 2023) and Toby Carey (Acting, 2023), and a cast featuring Matthew Alexander (Acting, 2019), Faisal Hamza (Acting, 2024), Alfred Kouris (Acting, 2021), Lập Nguyễn (Acting, 2023) and Tessa Olsson (Acting, 2023). With set design by Ella Wilkinson (Design for Performance, 2025), costume design by Bronte Hunt (Design for Performance, 2025), vocal coaching by Simon Masterton (Voice, 2018) and music direction by Alyona Popova (Acting, 2021), this is a tender, humorous and aching adaptation.
In Case You Missed It: The spotlight is on Hugo Weaving (Acting, 1981) in ABC’s Creative Types with Virginia Trioli. Hear about his early television career, his enduring love for theatre and what it was like working on The Matrix as one of Fox Studio Sydney’s first films. With a cameo from fellow alum Richard Roxburgh (Acting, 1986) and a candid reflection on his NIDA days, it’s a fascinating look into one of Australia’s most in demand actors. Streaming now on ABC iView.
Header image: L-R, Tara Morice, Shane Jacobson, Rebel Wilson, Steph Tisdell, Natalie Abbott in The Deb. Photo by John Platt Photography.