NIDA Young Actors Studio

Hello, just wondering if anyone has auditioned for the NIDA Young Actors Studio before and if they'd care to share their experiences! I'm thinking about auditioning so any insight into the audition process and program itself would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance x

I auditioned, was successfull and attended every Sunday in 2006. The audition process is quite inviting and relaxed. It is a group audition and it runs for about an hour or two from my memory. The first part of the audition being warm ups and drama games and the second part is the one minute monologue you prepare beforehand, based on the four topics given. for eg. I chose the topic "Sam's Dead". For a little bit of help with the audition all I can say is put in all the effort you can. They don't expect you to be NIDA quality. they just want to see you capabilities and diversity. They may ask you to perform the monologue/piece in a different way (so know your script) for eg. Perform that again and pretend you were walking along a tight rope. In terms of the course. In my opionion, was one of the best I have done. If you chose to work a little on the things you have learnt everyday, you will get a hell of a lot out of it. The full Sunday is realy a snipet of what a weekday at full time NIDA is like. Be prepared for pulling funny faces and making funny noises (vocal warm up) for about an hour every Sunday morning. NIDA always looks fantastic on a resume but at the same time, the lecturers and the things I gained from the course were simply worth it alone. Hopefully you have the same main lecturer as I did and he really was inspiring as they all were. Good luck! Oh by the way I believe its approximately $4500 for every sunday of the school term for the year. Quite pricey but worth it! Hope I have been assistance

by the way I did "NIDA's young actors studion" IN MELOURNE

Hey Henderson, thanks so much for your insight! I'm from Melbourne too, so it's nice to hear from someone that is also. From what you say the course seems very valuable so you've pretty much made up my mind to do it, but if you don't mind I have a couple more questions. Firstly, with your audition monologue, did you perform a pre-existing piece or something you wrote yourself? If the former, what did you perform? Because I'm having a bit of trouble finding a monologue to suit this year's themes: "Knives and Forks" and "In the Future", and a friend of mine suggested writing my own but I don't know if that's appropriate or expected etc. Thanks for all your help, it's much appreciated!

They ask you to write your own piece. I never actually thought of finding a monologue to suit the topic... Everyone there did an original piece. Good luck and if Luciano is there please say Liz Henderson says Hi!

Hmmm I suppose I better get to work then... the topics are quite vague this year. I really didn't think they would want an original piece, but I know now - thank you so much for all your help. I'll make sure to give you a shout! Thanks again, Keira x

That's certainly insightful information! I'm not auditioning this year but i may next year... I was just wondering how many are chosen for the course? And also what the auditions people put together like - as in, did people perform naturalistic/contemporary pieces or were they based on other theatrical styles? Were there serious ones and comic ones? Does everyone watch your monologue???? Thanks!

Oh, wow, I'd never heard about this til now! If I were to audition I don't know how I'm supposed to get a monologue. I have no idea how to write one :| Just another question, I'm freshly turned 16, and I know they said thats the age you have to be to be in it, but would you say that's too young? Like, is the stuff you do extremely difficult and challenging? Thanks :)

Heya guys! :) im 14 and am deffo gonna try 4 nida when im 18. i was wundring if you dont get in first time can you keep trying??? lena x x x

you sure can keep trying. Young actors studio is a good starting point especially to help you to construct your audition monoloogues for full time NIDA. It can bee challanging depending on how far you take the training offered. I would wait a year or two just so you can get more out of the experience. I was 19/20 when I did yound actors... and like I said the year you will audtion for full time is a good time to take Young actors as you can use the training and tips to your advantage and fresh out of training into an audition

Does everyone auditioing watch your monologue? Are they serious ones or funny ones? xxx

yes they do... this is quite relaxed and all monologues are different. My advice would be to do the most suitable genre for the topic chosen and the genre you feel most comfortable with. Remember they aren't expecting Merryl Streep or Cate Blanchet. :)

That sounds like it would be really great!! I had a look at it and I reeeeeeeeally want to do it, but I live in penrith and mum said that travelling to Sydney every Sunday would be too difficult and it's too expensive etc etc. I'm really disappointed I can't do it. Good luck!! I hope you get in. BTW, does anybody know of something simillar in the blue mountains or around Penrith? I really want to do something like it. It appealed to me because it was audition only which means that if you got in you would be working with good actors who really want to be and deserve to be there. You wouldn't be with just anybody who thought it would be fun and just so happened to have the money. I mean, I get those people in my drama class at school! So yeah, any help with finding something similar in blue mountains or penrith area would be GREAT! And good luck!! If you get in keep us posted on how it is!

Hey ‘im audition for this years young actor studio and I’m having a bit of trouble with find a monologue “knives ad forks” or “in the future” Does it mean just talk about something making sure you including the topics???

I think they want you to write something yourself on the topic of knives and forks or in the future.

SO WHO GOT IN FOR 2009 [MELB/SYD/BRIS]???? x