Drama students from NSW high schools visited NIDA last month as part of the annual HSC IP Study Day.
Drama students from NSW high schools visited NIDA last month as part of the annual HSC IP Study Day.
‘Today has been an incredible day. We have had the opportunity to work on drama all day, not just in one 50-minute drama period. We have really immersed ourselves in the craft,’ said drama teacher Emma Russell from the Australian Christian College Marsden Park in western Sydney.
NIDA’s HSC IP Study Day is a series of practice-based workshops, lead by industry professionals exploring the creative process for each Individual Project discipline. This year the day included a Keynote Address from Eamon Flack, Artistic Director of Belvoir St Theatre on the Creative Process, design tours of ExpoNIDA and a talk with Head of Acting John Bashford and Head of Music Andrew Ross.
Above: NIDA Head of Acting John Bashford and NIDA Head of Music Andrew Ross address the students.
‘The HSC IP Study Day went really well this year and hopefully inspired the students and teachers to be curious and to think expansively as they embark on their IP Project. It is a unique day and is designed specifically to give both students and teachers practical tools and techniques they can use as they follow the guidelines and requirements of the project,’ said Kate Sherman, Program Manager of Schools at NIDA.
It was so wonderful to have so many passionate students in the building who were eager to learn and curious about developing their creative process. The day is a great opportunity for students to work closely with incredible teaching artists in their specialized area and be able to ask specific questions. Through intensive and practical workshops the students learn about creative practices that will hopefully allow them to find their artistic voice for their IP Projects and in their creative life beyond the HSC,’ said Kate.
Above: HSC students take part in drama workshops at NIDA.
Many of the drama teachers also took advantage of the day for professional development. ‘We have learnt incredible new skills on how to craft a piece from scratch,’ said drama teacher Emma Russell.
‘An original piece of theatre is not an easy thing to create, certainly not by yourself, and finding ways to use your entire body as an instrument, things like using voice and movement effectively to create one whole actor, has been awesome. The day has allowed the students to focus their energies and work out what their strengths and weaknesses are in preparation for their drama HSC major work.’
Above: NIDA Head of Costume Annette Ribbons discussing costume making with students.
‘The sessions have been really helpful in breaking down the key instruments of the actor and how to use those effectively to create an IP performance. Some students have a good idea already and some are exploring. These workshops will help them to actually really figure out what their strengths are and choose a piece that suits them best,’ said Emma Russell.
Year 12 student Jarod Godfrey said that the day ‘has given me a lot of clarity in the process of choosing material, which ideas are going to work and how I can craft a coherent piece that is satisfying, intense and engaging for the audience.’
Above: HSC Projects developed at the NIDA HSC IP Study Day; NIDA Director, Centre for Technnology, Production and Management, Graham Henstock, discussing performance production with students.
For information about NIDA’s schools program including customised programs or programs for VCE students and to register for NIDA’s HSC IP Study Day in 2019, please visit https://www.nida.edu.au/schools-and-teachers.
