Industry placements and field trips

A major highlight of a NIDA course is field trips, secondments, work placements and pathways with leading industry organisations. We provide opportunities for students to put their training into practice in dynamic working environments.

With an extensive network built over 60 years with TV, film and theatre professionals, you can secure outstanding opportunities on major international productions shooting domestically, alongside a diverse suite of placement possibilities, many of which lead to employment and future projects. A few highlights include: → Theatre companies – Melbourne Theatre Company, National Theatre (UK), Sydney Theatre Company → Musical theatre – Hamilton productions in Sydney and Melbourne, Come from Away in Sydney → Design studios – Annie Aktins Studio (UK), Christopher Oram (UK) Alexander Dodge Design (USA) → Film production companies – Bazmark Inc (Elvis), Kennedy Miller Mitchell (Three Thousand Years of Longing) → TV/streaming platforms/digital creators - ABC, Seven Network, Netflix, Stan, Disney Australia → Opera and ballet companies – Australian Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet (UK), English National Opera (UK), Opera

Australia, Pinchgut Opera, Sydney Dance Company → Staging and event companies – Geordie Productions (Canada), Stagekings Australia → Costume production companies – Hawthorn Tailoring (UK), Jane Law (UK), Sydney Costume Workshop (Hamilton) → Festivals and events – Adelaide Festival, Edinburgh Festival (UK), Summerworks, Festival Toronto (Canada),

Theatertreffen Festival Berlin (Germany), Sydney Festival → Performing arts institutes – Cambodia Living Arts (Phnom Penh, Cambodia), Contemporary Arts Centre (Glasgow,

UK), Centre for Dance and Performance Studies South Africa, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (UK)

Ori Hiser BFA Costume, 2021

Ori completed a placement on the production of the feature film Three Thousand Years of Longing, written and directed by George Miller. The production design is by Roger Ford, and the costume design is by awardwinning NIDA alumna Kym Barrett, also costume designer for Matrix and Aquaman. Ori has secured a position on Furiosa since completing NIDA.

“I learnt a lot about the difference between theatre and film. I learnt that there is so much more attention to detail on a film, for example the stitch length had to be exactly the same for consistency as it was highly visible – a three on some sections and a four on others – and the amount of rows had to be the same. I met a lot of good people and made a lot of great connections.”

Isaac Barron BFA Technical Theatre and Stage Management, 2021

Isaac completed his placement at Hamilton and has continued employment with them ever since.

“Secondments along with the production seasons at NIDA allow for firsthand, practical learning that you can’t get in a classroom. You get first hand experience from industry professionals and are given the opportunity to try, and more importantly, fail and try again. Secondments gave me the foot in the door into the industry and to start building relationships with companies and people I want to work with. These opportunities are invaluable and what makes our training so vital in our careers”

Esther Zhong BFA Costume, 2021

Esther completed her placement at Cosmos Pictures who were filming “Better Man” the Robbie Williams Biopic film in Melbourne.

“Studying at NIDA has been a dream of mine since I was 16, and has been a truly indescribable opportunity. Under the guidance of industry professionals, the costume course has given me the resources to build a solid foundation across a range of practical skills, from tailoring to costume supervision, giving me the confidence to step into the industry after I graduate. Whilst deeply challenging, being at NIDA is equally rewarding; being surrounded by passionate and likeminded people allows you to form lifelong friendships with fellow artists. I’m super grateful to have already had a taste of what it’s like in the industry, working on projects which wouldn’t have been possible without the skills and knowledge I’ve gained while at NIDA, and am extremely excited to see what other opportunities come my way.”