NIDA acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we learn and tell stories, the Bidjigal, Gadigal, Dharawal and Dharug peoples, and we pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past and present.

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Where to Watch NIDA Alumni in December 2024

As the festive season approaches, NIDA alumni are making December merry and bright with a diverse programme of cinematic masterpieces, thrilling live performances and comfort shows. We’ve made a list and checked it twice to ensure that there’s something for everyone in this lineup of alumni-driven projects:

Reprising her role as Éowyn in the animated film, The Lord of the Rings: The War of Rohirrim, Miranda Otto (Acting,1990) will narrate the new fantasy epic, debuting in cinemas on 12 December. Set 183 years before the events of JRR Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy, King Helm Hammerhand of Rohan and his family must defend their kingdom against the army of Dunlendings. Prepare to journey back to Middle-earth in this breathtaking prequel.

Hugo Weaving as Noel in 'How to Make Gravy' wearing a Santa hat.
Hugo Weaving (Acting, 1985) as Noel in How to Make Gravy. Supplied: BINGE / Jasin Boland.

Binge’s original film How to Make Gravy premiered on 1 December, based on Aussie music legend Paul Kelly’s classic song of the same name. A story of hope and redemption, How to Make Gravy follows a father who has been incarcerated and is facing his first Christmas without his family. Hugo Weaving (Acting, 1981) plays Noel, a veteran lifer who befriends the film’s protagonist and might just hold the key to his early parole.

Stan’s Bump will have a Boxing Day wrap-up with the final season airing on 26 December. The comedy-drama series is promised to have just as many challenges, humour and relatable moments as audiences have come to expect. This season will introduce Kate Box (Acting, 2003) as Dr, Maryanne with Anita Hegh (Acting, 1994) reprising her role as Edith Chalmers. Make sure you tune into the heartfelt conclusion of this much-loved series.

Michael Paynter with ensemble cast in Jesus Christ Superstar at the last supper. Plates and bowls are placed on an enormous cross in front of the actors.
Michael Paynter with ensemble cast in Jesus Christ Superstar. Photo Jeff Busby.

The sensational musical rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar is on its 50th-anniversary tour with tickets on sale now at Sydney Captiol Theatre. Tana Laga’aia (Musical Theatre, 2023) joins the congregation as Peter with Calista Nelmes (Musical Theatre, 2018) and Samuel Harmon (Musical Theatre, 2019) lending their voices to the chorus as Ensemble. Working miracles behind-the-scenes is Associate Lighting Designer, Gavan Swift (Technical Production, 1994), supported by Head Electrician, Lachlan McCorquodale (Live Production and Technical Services, 2018), Jack Dutson (Live Production and Technical Services, 2018) as flyman, and MacKenzie Cullimore (Live Production and Technical Services, 2018) as mechanist. Don’t miss your chance to witness this divine production before it takes its final bow on 26 January. You can also catch the show in Perth from 13 February.

August: Osage County pulls no punches in its fiery exploration of family conflict and buried secrets, on stage at Belvoir St Theatre until December 15. Starring John Howard (Acting, 1978) and Greg Stone (Acting, 1983), the production paints a darkly funny portrait set against the backdrop of Pawhuska, Oklahoma. Bob Cousins, NIDA’s Course Leader for Design, lends his brilliance as set designer, while Ella Butler (Design for Performance, 2017) and Morgan Moroney (Technical Theatre and Stage Management, 2021) bring the visual storytelling to life with stunning costumes and lighting design. Supporting the show, Guy Simon (Acting, 2010) has been brought on as assistant director, Sybilla Wajon (Technical Theatre and Stage Management, 2021) acts as assistant stage manager and Laura Farrell (Voice, 2020) fine-tunes dialects as the voice coach. This powerhouse production is one for the calendar.

Once considered ‘unproducible’, Patrick White’s award-winning play Hot Tub will open on 6 December at Belvoir St Theatre 25A. Written by Lewis Treston (Playwriting, 2013) and directed by Riley Spadaro (Directing, 2019), this modern-day fable is set on the sun-drenched Gold Coast during Schoolies Week and stars Melissa Kahraman (Acting, 2019) as sad-girl, Dido. Joining the cast and family drama are Di Smith (Acting, 1978) and Kieran McGrath (Acting, 2016) who must resist Dido’s plea for cash to fund her weight-loss surgery in Brazil while avoiding a criminal investigation that could put the family behind bars. The story is set in the deteriorating residential high-rise building known as ‘The Great White’, imagined by Set and Costume Designer Grace Deacon (Design for Performance, 2021), with dramatic lighting designed by Phoebe Pilcher (Design, 2021) and composition and sound design by Madeleine Picard (Technical Theatre and Stage Management, 2023).

*Header Image: From left to right: Claudia Karvan, Angus Sampson and Anita Hegh (Acting 1994) in Stan’s Bump season 5. Photo by John Platt.