Last week, NIDA Master of Fine Arts (Directing) students presented the results of a two-week collaboration with Actors Centre Australia (ACA) third year Advanced Diploma of Performing Arts (Acting) students.
Last week, NIDA Master of Fine Arts (Directing) students presented the results of a two-week collaboration with Actors Centre Australia (ACA) third year Advanced Diploma of Performing Arts (Acting) students.
The annual collaboration, which is in its 11th year, enables both cohorts to gain valuable acting and directing experience, and present their work to peers and NIDA staff, with a performance in NIDA’s Graduate School.
MFA (Directing) student, Mikala Westall, who directed a performance featuring ACA students Georgia and Bryden, commented: ‘We started with the script The Chairs by Eugene Ionesco and over the past two weeks, using the methodology we are taught here at NIDA, we explored that text and at the end of it came up with something completely different.’
‘It was interesting to see how far and different the final version of the performance became compared to my expectations of what it might be based on the original script,’ said Bryden. ‘It ended up subverting itself into something completely different.’
Bringing together the expertise and emerging talent of two Sydney-based performing arts training organisations had a positive impact on students’ progression.
‘It’s been amazing to be able to work with the ACA actors for that extended period of time. We were all equally as invested in the project from the very beginning. They’re all such incredible performers and have so many skills that they bring to the table and that were put into the show,’ said Mikala.
Georgia added: ‘The fact that two different training schools get together, bring resources and collaborate to make a performance is great. Otherwise we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to work with emerging directors. It’s such a great opportunity.’
For more information about NIDA’s MFA (Directing), please visit nida.edu.au/directing
