Ready to play ‘spot the graduate’ again this May? We’ve curated a line-up stacked with familiar names (and plenty you’ll want to remember) so keep your eyes peeled when the credits roll and don’t forget to read your playbill.
Get over here and finish him! Mortal Kombat II hits the big screen from 8 May, following Earthrealm’s champions who are once again pushed to their limits in an epic fight for survival. Bringing the battles to life are NIDA alumni including the return of Kano, played by Actor Josh Lawson (Acting, 2001), Assistant Art Finisher Kat McFarlane (Costume, 2012), Senior Prop Maker Meg Hamilton (Properties and Objects, 2019) and Concept Illustrator Eddy Taylor (Properties, 2011).
The wait is over: Warwick Thornton’s Wolfram is in cinemas now. This original western is set in the 1930’s Australian outback after two siblings escape their white masters and must travel across the desert in search of a way home. Actor Jason Chong (Acting, 1996) features in the film alongside the work of Art Director Laura Anna Lucas (Design, 2015). Further, as part of his Balnaves Foundation Scholarship, Danny Howard (Acting, 2024) did an industry placement with Bunya Productions and spoke to us in this interview about working across a range of departments.
Et tu, Melbourne? Penned by William Shakespeare and Directed by Peter Evans (Directing, 1995), Bell Shakespeare’s touring production of Julius Caesar is on stage at Arts Centre Melbourne until 10 May. Septimus Caton (Acting, 1999) plays the eponymous figure whose political ambitions begin to unsettle the republic of Rome. With Costume Designer Simone Romaniuk (Design, 2003), Composer and Sound Designer Madeleine Picard (Technical Theatre and Stage Management, 2023) and Voice Director Jack Starkey-Gill (Voice, 2021) rounding out the creative team, this is one conspiracy you’ll want to be in on.
“In this country, you think it’s your right to have three meals a day. Me, where I came from? I think it’s a miracle.” Belvoir St Theatre presents Lose to Win touring nationally until 27 June. Written by and starring Mandela Mathia (Acting, 2017), this poignantly uplifting solo show traces an extraordinary path from South Sudan to Australia. This story of resilience, community and imagination is brought to life by a talented team of creatives including, Set and Costume Designer Keerthi Subramanyam (Design for Performance, 2019), Lighting Designer Kate Baldwin (Technical Theatre and Stage Management, 2019), Assistant Director Mehhma Malhi (Directing, 2024) and Associate Lighting Designer Veronique Benett (Technical Theatre and Stage Management, 2017; Master of Design for Performance, 2019).
The New Writers, New Works Festival is a collaborative effort between KXT On Broadway and NIDA to give emerging playwrights the opportunity to showcase their works. This season runs from May 27 – July 4 showcasing: Cadaver Synod written by Ruby Blinkhorn (Dramatic Writing, 2025) and directed by Zoë Hollyoak (Directing, 2022), Everyone Knows I’m a Pervert written by Taylor Fernandez (Dramatic Writing, 2025) with producer Sevgi Murphy (Dramatic Writing, Student), and First, Do No Harm written by Grace Malouf (Writing for Performance, 2023).
Header image: Rehearsal imagery from Belvoir St Theatre Company’s touring production of Mandela Mathia’s (Acting, 2017) Lose to Win. Photo by Brett Boardman.