THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTESTA visit to the National Institute of Dramatic ArtThis article is about NIDA, Australia's premier college for the performing arts. To win a place at this institute puts you among the best and the brightest. Students good enough to be accepted for NIDA have role models from the long list of theatre giants that have gone before them. NIDA is the starting point for a career in theatre and there is an air of excitement about the place.  I was invited by Vanessa Governato, to see a performance of Othello by second year students and to have a look at how they do things backstage. On both counts I was impressed.Kate Davy, Head of Technical Production, took me on a tour of the Institutes facilities which I'm sure would be the envy of many theatre companies.  The institute teaches all aspects of theatre from it's history through to set design, lighting, directing, stage management, acting and much, much more. All NIDA plays are entirely produced by the students but they are directed by a member of the acting staff or visiting staff from outside. Visiting directors are drawn from the countries best..."they know they are working with students but they expect (and get) a very professional standard. The opportunity to work with the best directors in the business is both a learning experience and a thrill".Well known directors such as Barry Kosky and Richard Wherrett have directed student productions in 1997 and the list of visiting staff reads like a who's who of theatre. The students at NIDA will have staged 10 productions during 1997 and given 51 performances plus "special events" which in themselves are major undertakings. This astonishing output, which is way above the output of most theatre companies, prepares the students well for life after graduation. Kate Davy is fiercely proud of her students and their accomplishments and confident of their place in the world of theatre. A graduate of NIDA herself, Kate told me.... "Technical production is a life skills course. These students will all be employed...they are learning an incredible amount of skills....98% of all Technical Production graduates since 1962 are still employed in the industry... and if that isn't a good batting average I don't know what is."  NIDA has a fantastic record in all disciplines, with 1 in 5 graduates having been nominated for or having won industry awards, such as Oscars, AFI, Golden Globe. "What is exciting", said Kate, "is that everybody want's to give back. We get any number of graduates, now the best in the business, who return to share their experience and give their time in support of those who are starting out...it's wonderful".I talked with year 3 students, Sandra Willis, Milojka Andjelic and Brigid Collaery, (stage manager for Othello), about the function of the stage manager. "It is the stage manager who puts it all together, we have to have good understanding of all aspects of theatre; lighting, props, costume, everything. It is management in the fullest sense". Stage managers don't have to be experts in any one area but they do need to know enough to recognise problems and handle them, they are often the bridge between the designer and the director. The stage manager can be a balance between creativity and the practical, but care needs to be taken not to stifle creativity by saying no. "We have to find solutions, push the boundaries, it is too easy to say no. We need to take risks". It's fair to say that NIDA is very selective at enrolment time. To be offered a place at NIDA is a good indication that a student has the "right stuff".  Theatre is a tough business and these young people have demonstrated that they want to be part of it with a passion. Students talk in almost evangelical tones about the excitement of NIDA and the anticipation of what they will do when they leave. They have to believe that anything is possible...they might just turn the world on it's ear.It was time to see Othello. For this production the director is Adam Cook who is currently working with the Bell Shakespeare company. Brigid Collaery headed a production team of 13.  It had been some time since I had seen Othello and to be quite honest it would not be one of my favourite Shakespeare plays. Othello, for me has always been a character difficult to believe in. His jealousy is so extreme, he is so confused and seems so easily manipulated by the evil Iago. Having said that, I was wonderfully surprised. The play was set in a time that suggested early America about the civil war period. The set was simple but effective. The entire cast is to be congratulated but I was completely captured by Dorian Nkono who played the role of Othello. He has a truly wonderful voice and used it with originality and to great effect. His anticipation and timing was delightful and he brought the character to life for me. I would predict that this actor has a great future.It was once said by a Thespian of some note..."Don't put your daughter on the stage Mrs. Worthington...". Well, here's a bit more gratuitous advise. If your daughter (or son) insists on the theatre, just make sure they graduate from NIDA. NIDA welcomes the public to attend their season of plays. I guarantee you will enjoy the experience and in the process you will be encouraging an extraordinary group of young artists. The National Institute of Dramatic Art can be found at 215 Anzac Parade, Kensington. NSW, Australia. Box office: (02) 9697 7613 Photography: Branco Gaica (02) 9698 7748 
Michael Maher (our theatre buff)
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