The National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) is holding its opening round of acting auditions online —a first for the 60-year-old training centre.
Director of the Centre for Acting at NIDA, John Bashford said the move to online opened the door to anyone with a mobile phone and internet access to send in their audition video or self-tape.
“This year the number of applications has already exceeded 2019,” Mr Bashford said.
“Our future students are completely familiar and at home with this technology. We have already recruited several applicants to NIDA from overseas using this technique.”
He said that in many ways the audition self-tape was just a more elaborate form of selfie.
Mr Bashford said third-year acting students at NIDA had put together a video of tips on how to create the best acting audition self-tape.
Chief Executive of NIDA, Liz Hughes said the Institute’s goal was for graduates to be representative of the diversity of contemporary Australia.
“We want NIDA to be a place where every person feels supported and safe to bring their whole self, to tell stories, and so be a courageous and creative voice for the nation,” Ms Hughes said.
She said NIDA was compared alongside Juilliard and Yale as one of the world’s top drama schools. It had built its reputation on practice-based, industry-relevant training.
“Renowned for its acting degree, NIDA also trains creative collaborators including costume, set, video or lighting designers, stage managers, costume makers, scenic artists and set builders who enjoy highly successful careers nationally and internationally,” Ms Hughes said.
Applications close on 30 October and further information can be accessed at this PS News link.
