As the 2018 theatre seasons are released, graduates from the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), are featuring in no less than 17 major Australian theatre productions.
Photo: Vaishnavi Suryaprakash (current Acting third year student) with Yalin Ozucelik and Hazem Shammas in Belvoir St Theatre’s production Sami in Paradise. Photo by Daniel Boud.
As the 2018 theatre seasons are released, graduates from the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) are a part of no fewer than 17 major Australian theatre productions.
NIDA is thrilled that its talented graduates are featuring in Sydney Theatre Company (STC), Belvoir St Theatre, Melbourne Theatre Company (MTC), Malthouse Theatre, Queensland Theatre Company (QTC) and State Theatre Company SA.
Kip Williams (Directing, 2009) takes on the role from former Artistic Directors Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton. Launching the STC season, Williams said, ‘This season aims to live up to Richard Wherrett’s great vision for STC – theatre that is “grand, vulgar, intelligent, challenging and fun”.’
In the STC season, several NIDA graduates feature, including NIDA Alumni Hugo Weaving (Acting 1981) in Brecht’s subversive take on facism in The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ali. The season opener, Caryl Churchill’sTop Girls, features actor Contessa Treffone (Acting, 2012), also performing in The Harp in the South Part One and Part Two. Lethal Indifference, a tragic story of a young woman’s growing awareness of domestic violence, is directed by Jessica Arthur (Directing 2015) and supported by Sound Designer Clemence Williams (Directing 2016) and Lighting Designer Alexander Berlage (Directing 2017).
In Adelaide, award-winning NIDA alumni Judy Davis (Acting, 1977) directs the Belvoir Production of Faith Healer at State Theatre Company. The piece by Brian Friel wrestles issues of faith, memory and truth, with Colin Friels, Alison Whyte, Paul Blackwell in the leading roles.
In Brisbane at Queensland Theatre Company Shaka Cook (Acting, 2012) is performing in Kate Mulvany’s brilliant adaptation of Craig Silvey’s award-winning novel Jasper Jones. In Western Australia at Black Swan State Theatre Company, Finn O’Branagáin (Playwriting, 2012) is the Writing and Associate Director for You Know We Belong Together. Finn worked with lead artist Julia Hales, who offers a deeply personal account of her own experiences of love as a daughter, actor, dreamer and person with Down syndrome.
At Melbourne Theatre Company, NIDA graduate Callan Colley (Acting, 2016) is performing alongside Lisa McCune in a satirical comedy on office politics, Gloria.
Aspiring NIDA students can find out more about all the courses on offer in 2018 by visiting apply.nida.edu.au. Applications close 29 October 2017
RECENTAND WELL-KNOWN NIDA GRADUATES
Working with Sydney Theatre Company
Jessica Arthur (Directing, 2015) directing Lethal Indifference
Clemence Williams (Directing 2016) Sound Designer for Lethal Indifference
Alexander Berlage (Directing 2017) Lighting Designer for Lethal Indifference
Priscilla Jackman (Directing 2016) Developer and Director for Still Turning Point: The Catherine McGregor Story
Contessa Treffone (Acting, 2012) performing in Top Girls and The Harp in the South Part One and Part Two.
Elisabeth Gadsby (Design for Performance, 2013) Designer for The Children + A Cherry Sole + Blackie Blackie Brown
Howard Sumner (Directing, 2013) writer of The Long Forgotten Dream
Ben Hughes (2017 MFA Cultural Leadership) Lighting Designer for Black is the New White
Hugo Weaving (Acting 1981) in The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ali.
Working with Belvoir St Theatre
Vaishnavi Suryaprakash (current Acting third year student) performing in Sami in Paradise
Emma Vine (Design for Performance, 2014) Costume Designer for The Sugar House
Working with Melbourne Theatre Company
Callan Colley (Acting, 2016) performing in Gloria
Working with Queensland Theatre
Ben Hughes (current Cultural Leadership student) lighting designer for Black is the New White, Twelfth Night and Good Muslim Boy
Shaka Cook (Acting, 2012) performing in Jasper Jones
Working with Black Swan State Theatre Company in WA
Finn O’Branagáin (Playwriting, 2012) – writing collaborator and associate director for You Know We Belong Together
Working with State Theatre Company South Australia
Judy Davis (Acting, 1977) directing Faith Healer
