Overview

Build confidence, enhance communication, and develop both critical and creative thinking skills. In engaging and dynamic classrooms, we will explore a variety of performance techniques that are exciting, fun, and foster personal growth and self-expression 

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. Singing and Acting 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: Mad-Hatter Melodies

Tumble down the rabbit hole into the enchanting world of Wonderland! Inspired by Alice’s fantastical world, explore improvisational skills to develop original scenes and whimsical characters. Discover how spontaneity can enliven scenes and songs for musical theatre performers. Sing and act your way into imaginary worlds, as you learn from NIDA Open teaching artists. Increase your confidence and creativity while having a mad-hatter of a time!

Components

• Freeing the Imagination: Participate in improvisation exercises that promote spontaneity, creative expression and self-confidence.
• Voice and Song: Learn how the voice works, develop confidence with singing technique and performance.
• Performance Craft: Participate in improvised scene work and singing exercises to develop basic acting and improvisation technique.

Term 2: Songs for Tomorrow

Dive into the heartwarming world of Annie and her orphan friends! Develop your voice and movement skills in a dynamic ensemble, as you sing and dance your way through the timeless tunes of Annie: The Musical. Discover how vocal and physical techniques bring big-hearted characters to life and explore the musicality in ensemble work. Increase your confidence and musical performance skills in a supportive NIDA Open classroom environment. Get ready to stick out your chin, and grin – and sing!

Components

• Voice and Song: Learn to work as an ensemble and apply choral singing technique.
• Physical Awareness: Practice basic dance skills through physical exercises and movement training.
• Staging: Consider staging techniques and learn musical performance stagecraft.

Term 3: Back to the Beat

Turn back the time machine as you twist and shout to the music of yesteryear! Inspired by classic rock and roll and iconic pop hits, collaborate with your NIDA Open friends to create a mini-jukebox musical. Explore devising techniques to create original scenes from the song lyrics of some of the biggest bands of all time. Unleash your musical creativity and storytelling skills and get ready to rock out for family and friends at the end of the term!

Components

• Ensemble: Work as part of a team to develop a shared creative vision.
• Storytelling: Explore stories, character journeys and creative problem solving through group and individual improvisation.
• Performance: Apply acting and singing technique to a short, devised musical presentation.

Term 4: Sing, Spell, Shine!

Your next word is “talented!” T-A-L-E-N-T-E-D. Dive into the delightful scenes and musical numbers of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Explore character development and text analysis, and apply NIDA acting techniques to create a short singing and acting presentation for family and friends. Prepare to “S-I-N-G” and have fun every step of the way!

Components

• Acting Technique: Explore characterisation through the application of contemporary acting techniques to a musical theatre performance.
• Staging: Consider staging techniques and learn musical performance stagecraft.
• Performance: Apply acting, singing and movement practice to a short scripted, musical presentation.

For more information, please see our Terms & Conditions.