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NIDA is excited to announce that Gin Gin student Payge Karavolos-Dymott has been awarded a NIDA Open Equity Scholarship. The student will join the program on the Gold Coast in September, as part of NIDA Open’s ongoing commitment to access and equity.

Payge Karavolos-Dymott is from the rural and remote town of Gin Gin, born in the local Bundaberg Hospital. The scholarship gives Payge access to an acting course she would never otherwise have. Payge is looking to expand her acting skills and her top marks at school as she chooses Drama as an elective in her senior school years. Jamelia Barnes from Bundaberg has also been awarded a scholarship and joins Tenae Ghelfi from Far North Queensland, who will travel nearly 100km to attend the NIDA Open workshop.

The NIDA Open Spring Holiday program boosts the skills of young emerging actors, and encourages young people and adults to be inspired by the outstanding Australian performing artists who have benefited from NIDA’s higher education training.

The National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) is one of the world’s leading institutions for dramatic arts education and training. For 60 years NIDA has been the hub for Australia’s performing arts sector, with alumni including award-winning artist such as Cate Blanchett, Judy Davis, Mirando Otto, Hugo Weaving and many many others. NIDA Open is a place where anyone is welcome to explore their creativity in a safe and supportive environment and offers people of all ages and experiences the chance to benefit from NIDA’s world-renowned training methods.

Head of NIDA Open, Tricia Ryan, commented: ‘This Spring Holidays NIDA Open is investing in the creativity of young people all over Australia. Our Equity Scholarships have invested over $25,000 across 11 different locations nationally to enable young creatives to take part in a course of their choice. Just like any other NIDA Open course, they will be able to take advantage of professionally trained teaching artists and practising industry professionals who work across the Australian theatre, TV and film industries. These tutors are committed to inspiring students of all ages, experience and interests to find their unique artistic voice and giving children and young people the confidence and ability to speak up and share their creative ideas with the world.’

From Monday 23 September – Sunday 6 October, NIDA Open will be running its Spring Holiday program at various locations across Queensland including Brisbane, Cairns, Gold Coast and Townsville with introductory to advanced classes for ages two to adults. For more information on NIDA Open, please visit nida.edu.au/spring.