Australian Academy of Dramatic Art
Encyclopedia
The Australian Academy of Dramatic Art (AADA) is a contemporary theatre school in Sydney, Australia, established in 1983 by Ron and Elaine Birkby, Ron Birkby having studied under Lee Strasberg. In the 1980s, the school was based on Elizabeth Street, Sydney, then on Holt Street, Surry Hills. During its early decades it offered Vocational Education and Training (VET) Certificates, Diplomas, and Advanced Diplomas in Acting.
In 2006, the Australian Academy of Dramatic Art became a department of the Australian Institute of Music
(AIM), enabling AADA to offer a government-accredited degree course as a private Higher Education Provider (HEP). This innovation allowed prospective students to draw on Commonwealth Government FEE-HELP in order to cover tuition fees.
AADA's Main Campus is now located at 1-51 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills. AADA's premiere teaching and performance space is the historic Pilgrim Theatre, located at 262 Pitt Street, Sydney.
In 2007, consultation began with a range of stakeholders to create for AADA a unique, university-level qualification that sought to fill a gap in the cultural landscape. The burgeoning independent theatre scene in Sydney and other Australian capitals was now to be supported by a custom-built training in contemporary theatre practice, "a unique education for the Actor / Creator / Producer".
It has been said that AADA took the baton from the University of Western Sydney
's now-defunct Theatre Nepean, a remarkable training program that gave the Australian performing arts sector over a decade of graduates who are all-round theatre makers.
In 2009, AADA accepted its first intake of students in the new Bachelor of Performance degree.
The Bachelor of Performance degree is a six-semester program delivered in an accelerated mode over two calendar years. It contains three streams of units: Major Study, Contextual Studies, and Associated Studies.
The current Head of the Australian Academy of Dramatic Art is Andrew Davidson
, a Sydney theatre director and theatre musician. Andrew is a graduate of the directing course at the National Institute of Dramatic Art
(NIDA), who conceived the Actor / Creator / Producer ethos. Consultation work on the degree was undertaken by:
AADA also offers a Conversion Course, a one-year program for Australians who hold an Advanced Diploma in theatre from any Australian TAFE or Registered Training Organisation
(RTO), who are seeking to upgrade their existing qualification to degree level.
AADA also has a Pathway to Teaching agreement with the Australian Catholic University
(ACU). This agreement invites graduates of the Bachelor of Performance degree to continue their studies in Drama Education in ACU's Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary) or Master of Teaching (Secondary).
In 2006, the Australian Academy of Dramatic Art became a department of the Australian Institute of Music
Australian Institute of Music
The Australian Institute of Music is a private not-for-profit institution originally founded in 1968 by Dr Peter Calvo, and then known as the Sydney Guitar School...
(AIM), enabling AADA to offer a government-accredited degree course as a private Higher Education Provider (HEP). This innovation allowed prospective students to draw on Commonwealth Government FEE-HELP in order to cover tuition fees.
AADA's Main Campus is now located at 1-51 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills. AADA's premiere teaching and performance space is the historic Pilgrim Theatre, located at 262 Pitt Street, Sydney.
In 2007, consultation began with a range of stakeholders to create for AADA a unique, university-level qualification that sought to fill a gap in the cultural landscape. The burgeoning independent theatre scene in Sydney and other Australian capitals was now to be supported by a custom-built training in contemporary theatre practice, "a unique education for the Actor / Creator / Producer".
It has been said that AADA took the baton from the University of Western Sydney
University of Western Sydney
The University of Western Sydney, also known as UWS, is a multi-campus university in the Greater Western region of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
's now-defunct Theatre Nepean, a remarkable training program that gave the Australian performing arts sector over a decade of graduates who are all-round theatre makers.
In 2009, AADA accepted its first intake of students in the new Bachelor of Performance degree.
The Bachelor of Performance degree is a six-semester program delivered in an accelerated mode over two calendar years. It contains three streams of units: Major Study, Contextual Studies, and Associated Studies.
- Major Study units contain classes in two areas, Performance Skills and Performance Practice. Performance Skills include Acting, Improvisation, Voice & Movement. Performance Practice include Rehearsal for Studio Practice and Public Performance, and classes in Repertoire covering world theatres from classic to contemporary writers.
- Contextual Studies units offer academic studies that support the work undertaken in Major Study, including Story; Mythology & Archetype; Dramaturgy, Genre & Adaptation; and Twentieth-Century Theatre Theory & Practice.
- Associated Studies units offer the tools of the Theatre Maker: Directing, Design, Lighting & Sound, Production & Stage Management, Digital Film Making & Archiving, Dance & Choreography, Publicity & Promotions, and Financial Management.
The current Head of the Australian Academy of Dramatic Art is Andrew Davidson
Andrew Davidson
Andrew Davidson may refer to:*Andrew Davidson , British illustrator*Andrew Davidson , contestant on the first series of Big Brother UK in 2000*Andrew B...
, a Sydney theatre director and theatre musician. Andrew is a graduate of the directing course at the National Institute of Dramatic Art
National Institute of Dramatic Art
The National Institute of Dramatic Art is an Australian national training institute for students of theatre, film, and television, based in the Sydney suburb of Kensington. It is supported by the federal Office for the Arts, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. NIDA is located adjacent...
(NIDA), who conceived the Actor / Creator / Producer ethos. Consultation work on the degree was undertaken by:
- Robert Draffin, director of Liminal theatre company in Melbourne, worked with Davidson on the overall structure of the degree.
- Assoc Prof Ian MaxwellIan MaxwellIan Maxwell is a British businessman, and the son of the media mogul, Robert Maxwell.-Early life:Ian Maxwell was educated at Marlborough College and Oxford University. His first involvement in his father's business was at Pergamon Press from 1978 to 1983...
from Performance StudiesPerformance StudiesPerformance studies have been growing as an academic field since the 1960s. Performance studies believe in the social act of Doing as it takes performance itself as the object of inquiry.The process of defining it becomes a practice in performance studies itself...
at The University of Sydney was a consultant on the Contextual Studies stream. - Margaret DavisMargaret DavisMargaret Alayne Elizabeth Davis, née Alexander is a former Australian politician. She was a Liberal member of the New South Wales Legislative Council from 1967 to 1978....
, Performer, Director and Writer, developed the multiple lecture series in the Contextual Studies stream. - Marcelle Schmitz, Actor, Director and distinguished staff member at the Western Australian Academy of Performing ArtsWestern Australian Academy of Performing ArtsThe Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts , Edith Cowan University was established in 1980 to provide performing arts tuition comparable to the highest calibre of national and international training benchmarks to be able to meet industry needs around the globe.The school is located in the...
developed the Acting & Improvisation program. - Anca Frankenhaeuser, Dancer, Choreographer and distinguished researcher on the work of Keith BainKeith BainKeith Bain is a Canadian politician. He currently represents the electoral district of Victoria-The Lakes in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. He is a member of the Progressive Conservatives.-External links:* *...
, Australian pioneer of movement training for actors, developed the Movement program.
AADA also offers a Conversion Course, a one-year program for Australians who hold an Advanced Diploma in theatre from any Australian TAFE or Registered Training Organisation
Registered training organisation
A registered training organisation in Australia, is a vocational education organisation that provides students with training that results in qualifications and statements of attainment that are recognised and accepted by industry and other educational institutions throughout Australia.Registered...
(RTO), who are seeking to upgrade their existing qualification to degree level.
AADA also has a Pathway to Teaching agreement with the Australian Catholic University
Australian Catholic University
Australian Catholic University is a national public university. It has six campuses and offers programs in five faculties throughout Australia.-History:...
(ACU). This agreement invites graduates of the Bachelor of Performance degree to continue their studies in Drama Education in ACU's Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary) or Master of Teaching (Secondary).
External links
- Website: http://www.aada.edu.au