Overview

Led by industry experts offering practical training that inspires creativity and builds essential skills for students at any stage of their creative development. With a focus on both personal and artistic growth, NIDA Open provides a dynamic environment where young artists can explore their passions, gain confidence, and develop their craft in an inspiring and supportive environment. 

Learning framework

Each term we focus on a specific area of performance practice to ensure students have a varied experience and learn a range of essential creative skills. Students are able to join us at the start of any term during the year. NIDA Open Drama courses are designed across a four term structure within the following learning framework: 

Term 1 Improvisation and Performance Craft 
Term 2 Voice and Movement 
Term 3 Devising and Contemporary Performance 
Term 4 Script Work and Staging 

Term 1: No End in Sight

It’s time to take a leap of faith from a clear starting point, into the unknown middle, to find an enthralling conclusion. Work with a NIDA Open teaching artist to explore short and long form improvisation technique and develop your spontaneity to confidently create dynamic off the cuff scenes. Learn how to create fully realised improvised narratives and play the truth of a scene as you immerse yourself in a truly collaborative process. Experience the strength of working as an ensemble in our inclusive and supportive classrooms. With no end in sight, the possibilities are endless!

Components

• Spontaneity: Develop spontaneity and performance craft and apply it to long and short form improvisation.
• Character Development: Improvise and sustain a truthful and believable character.
• Collaboration: Collaborate with your peers as you work together to explore different improvisation styles.

Term 2: The Speaking Body

Embody the fundamentals of vocal and physical training for performance as you discover the power of breath, body and sound. Explore language and text in modern and classical texts by unlocking the rhythm and rhyme in a supportive and inclusive environment. Deepen your connections to the ensemble and build awareness of your body in space through contemporary skills-based training and present your work in a live performance for family and friends at the end of term.

Components

• Physical awareness: Extend physical range in exploring character.
• Voice: Identify strategies for engaging the voice in performance.
• Performance skill: Apply specific voice and movement choices to imbue character and performance.

Term 3: Stage Beats

Scroll through your Spotify and unlock your creativity by devising original scenes inspired by contemporary world music. Transform musical chords into vibrant characters and stories, while exploring stagecraft, playbuilding techniques, and creative practices from around the globe. Work as part of an ensemble in a fun, collaborative, and inclusive space. At the end of the term, share your unique devised work in an exciting live presentation for family and friends. Let the beat drop!

Components

• Contemporary practice: Explore storytelling and devising techniques to create original performance work.
• Collaboration: Collaborate with your peers as you work together to explore different theatre-making styles.
• Stage Craft: Discover the elements that contribute to the physical realisation of a performance.

Term 4: Modern Epics

From ancient Greeks to modern-day heroes, uncover the world of scripts and staging as you travel through theatrical classics. Develop your acting skills, and learn how to apply voice and movement technique in a professional rehearsal process. Explore text analysis techniques to create authentic performances and share a selection of your favourite scenes with an invited audience at the end of term.

Components

• Text Interpretation: Build your skills in dramaturgy as you discover the world of language in live performance.
• Collaboration: Develop a collaborative relationship with your director as you explore staging possibilities.
• Acting Technique: Explore dynamic characters through detailed script analysis and voice and movement technique.

For more information, please see our Terms & Conditions.

For more information, please see our Terms & Conditions.