Leeton Shire Council is thrilled to announce the launch of an exciting additional, new NIDA Connect course in Digital Storytelling, coming to Leeton on 18, 19 & 20 August 2023.
Facilitated by Leeton's budding Roxy Institute of Performing Arts (RIPA), on behalf of Leeton Shire Council, and in partnership with the prestigious National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), the NIDA Connect Digital Storytelling course will provide 15–18-year-old students with an introduction to the principles of visual storytelling through a digital lens. Applications close soon – see bottom of this article for details.
Participants will be able to explore techniques to develop a concept, work with source materials and write and storyboard their own unique multimedia stories, as well as developing hands-on shooting, editing and postproduction skills in a practical digital storytelling context.
NIDA and RIPA's fruitful partnership has already successfully produced four highly engaging NIDA Connect Skills Development courses (Design in Performance, Acting, Writing for Performance, and Technical Production) which were held from April to June 2023 and attended by 39 students. Participants were thrilled this level of training has been made available in regional NSW and declared the courses "a resounding success".
Reflecting on the courses she ran, teaching artist Oumi Karenga-Hewitt said, "The NIDA Connect program gave me an opportunity to engage with professional creative practitioners from NIDA and work with young people interested in writing and acting."
"Delivering both the 'Acting' and 'Writing for Performance' programs gave me an even deeper understanding of the importance of different areas of performance. I enjoyed seeing the acting students develop over the three days; in connection with each other, confidence, and competence. The writing students were diverse in experience and background - this was evident in their unique and compelling story ideas, that the students wove through multiple storytelling tools. I can't wait to see these talented young people develop further over the next few years."
"I personally gained so much knowledge from the programs and have already started to use some of my learnings in my own creative practice. I'd love to see more programs like this in other disciplines (like directing/producing) as well as those available to wider cohorts," she added.
Cynthia Arel, sharing Oumi's sentiments, said her experience as a NIDA Connect Teaching Artist (Design in Performance) has been beneficial on many levels.
"Through the 'Train the Trainer' workshops, I received training in the NIDA method which assisted me in effectively engaging students during the workshops," she said.
"During the face-to-face practical workshops, I worked with industry expert Charlotte Lane to guide students through the design process, from creating design concepts based on a script to drawing in scale and model building."
"It was a joy working with our creative youth, helping them lay a basis for further work in regional performing arts. These students expressed a strong desire to work professionally in the performing arts industry. I look forward to seeing them grow and flourish creatively, through future skills training and local productions," she said.
Participants from the previous four courses have expressed their satisfaction and gratitude, with testimonials highlighting the following benefits:
- Balance of Learning Approaches: Students benefitted from the balance of team and individual work which allowed them to learn new techniques in groups as well as by working through handouts at home.
- Diverse Perspectives: Students enjoyed the small, intimate settings, enabling them to share different ideas and perspectives with their peers whilst discovering similarities at the same time.
- Delivery of NIDA teachings in regional Australia: Students were extremely pleased to see the prestigious National Institute of Dramatic Arts reach out and make their teachings available in the regions.
- Bonding and Collaboration: Participants formed lasting connections with their peers through a fun, free and inclusive environment.
The forthcoming Digital Storytelling course will be held on 18, 19 & 20 August 2023 at the Leeton Museum & Art Gallery and will be taught by none other than Leeton born and bred Jake Speer known for his work in Home and Away and the Netflix limited series Clickbait as well as playing the leading role in the local stage production Henry V.
"This course represents an incredible opportunity for members of our community to immerse themselves in the captivating world of digital storytelling," said Jake Speer. "Through this collaboration with NIDA, we are proud to bring world-class expertise to our town, fostering creativity and honing performance skills for the talented young members of our community."
The five NIDA Connect courses provide a good taste of the sorts of vocational training that will take place in the redeveloped Roxy Community Theatre in association with RIPA. The revitalised Roxy Theatre will serve as a catalyst for learning and, in addition to film screenings, stage productions and live performances, will provide a dynamic space for educational programs and workshops.
Participation for the NIDA Connect Digital Storytelling course is free but places are limited. Those wanting to attend are encouraged to secure their place as soon as possible. Go to https://www.open.nida.edu.au/class/RNCDS-23NRX1 to enrol.
