NIDA has welcomed its new Diploma of Live Production and Technical Services students, who will learn the technical skills needed to bring stories to life in productions throughout the year.
NIDA has welcomed its new Diploma of Live Production and Technical Services students, who will learn the technical skills needed to bring stories to life in productions throughout the year. The students come from all over Australia, including the Northern Territory.
Zachary White moved to Sydney from the Top End, after working with Totem Theatre in Alice Springs and receiving encouragement from his drama teacher and NIDA graduate Steve Kidd (Acting, 1987). ‘Steve Kidd was a real inspiration and helped me a lot,’ said Zac. ‘We worked together at Totem Theatre and he encouraged me to apply to NIDA.’
The Diploma prepares students for technical roles in theatre, dance, opera, concerts, functions, ceremonies and events. It provides them with skills in staging, lighting, sound and vision design, operating equipment and production planning for the bump in and bump out of productions.
‘When I first came here for an interview for the course, I was a bit overwhelmed,’ said Zachary. ‘NIDA is so well known and lots of people have become famous after coming here. But I really like working backstage. I like how it’s just a group of people coming together to create a cohesive team. It was a lot of fun back in high school.’
Angela Fieldhouse came to NIDA after working in production at the Sydney International Convention Centre and the Seymour Centre. ‘I was working on the lighting and sound boards and realised I needed to upskill. This course is perfect for that. I’ve also spent a lot of time in China learning about my culture. When I was in Shanghai we lived across the road from the Dramatic Arts Centre, so I was exposed to multicultural performing arts, a lot of circus and gymnastics and Beijing Opera, which is very physical.’
Angela is excited about the future. ‘I want to learn about how to tell stories, so lighting, sound and vision are also really interesting for me. I would even like to try directing. I’m keeping an open mind,’ she said.
The students will be working on the Triple J Project with NIDA’s Master of Fine Arts (Directing) students and the Diploma of Musical Theatre Cabaret students, as well as many other of live events at NIDA over the course of 2018.
Learn more about NIDA’s Diploma courses at Open Day on Saturday 16 June. Register here:https://www.nida.edu.au/courses/open-day
