Lithgow may be home to the next generation of Hollywood actors, thanks to a recent acting “boot camp” held by the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) at Western Sydney University’s (WSU) The College, Lithgow campus.
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Children of all ages were given the chance to learn fundamental acting skills.
Skills like improvisation, character development and scenework were taught to children over the course of a few days during the school holidays.
Kids dressed up, worked together, got into character and presented their work to their family and friends at the end of the “acting boot camp”.
In two separate workshops, children experienced what acting was like in front of the camera and on the stage.
Emily Brown, a 10-year-old student at Bathurst Scots School, has dreams of becoming an actor and found the workshop great fun.
“I’ve been learning heaps of new things,” Emily said.
Emily is keen to star in musicals and hoped learning the skills taught to her during the workshops may be a way in with the Lithgow Musical Society.
“I just really loving acting and I thought doing it with NIDA would make me an even better actor.”
“It’s definitely been worth it.”
NIDA’s notable alumni includes Cate Blanchett and Baz Luhrmann, so she may be on to something.
Oliver Burton, one of the tutors, said it’s a great experience for the students and a way for them to experience the camaraderie in acting.
“It really helps them make the distinction between stagework and screenwork,” Mr Burton said.
“They get to have a great time in a creative environment, gain confidence and also gain a love for acting.”
Many of the children were newcomers to the world of acting, but Mr Burton said they took to it with no trouble at all.
“It’s the first time some of them have done any acting.
“To be able to experience it in a warm and energetic environment is great.”
Who knows where this next generation of homegrown stars might end up.
The workshops were one of a variety of activities offered at the Lithgow WSU campus during the school holidays, including HSC workshops for Year 12 students.