GREAT TALENT: Noel Cook, Mia Thompson and actor/tutor Matt Walker rehearsing with back, from left, Casey Rainger, Scarlett O’Rourke, Augustine Munele- Turner, Lyndell Boschma, Marnie Currey- Steadman, Melissa Sherwood, Jessica Currey-Steadman and Riley Frankel. Photo: Geoff O’Neill 270912GOA01
SPECIAL dramatic workshops are being conducted this week by the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), giving budding actors the chance to fine-tune their talent.
The students will undertake intensive courses covering a range of acting genres at Calrossy Anglican School’s William Cowper campus until Sunday.
Two leading actors and graduates of NIDA’s competitive full-time course have been tutoring both children and adult students in the profession.
Matthew Walker and Rebecca Johnston have taken up temporary residence in Tamworth and are loving the country vibe.
Walker has appeared in shows including Home and Away and the short-lived series Headland where he starred alongside Aussie actress Rachel Taylor, currently in demand in Hollywood. He will also hit the Hollywood audition circuit in a matter of weeks.
Johnston, whose resume includes a list of theatre credits, says she has a keen interest in all genres, but especially film.
Both tutors said the Tamworth courses had showcased a great range of talent with students keen to learn and develop their skills.
“These kids have been fantastic and they are really loving it,” Walker said.
“We are working on a piece we devised together which includes certain rules – specific lines, emotions and words – that they will perform for their parents on Friday.”
Johnston said there were a few students considering pursuing drama once they completed their school studies.
“I moved from WA to Sydney to audition for NIDA’s full-time course and as a kid, I would have killed to have some kind of youth program like the NIDA Open classes.”
Kat Tait, 15, and Eric Johnson,16, are enjoying their course and plan to pursue acting after school. Both agree the highlight has been the overall collaboration in creating stories.
Courses commenced on Tuesday and have covered a range of acting training at basic and
intermediate-to-advanced levels.
They include performance and skills development in drama, acting techniques, acting for screen and auditioning.
Places are still available for the weekend courses – including the adults’ audition essentials class.
Contact NIDA for further information.
