NIDA’s Parade Theatre is reopening, with Darren Yap directing ‘Next to Normal’ as the headline production for the October Season of Student Productions.
The award-winning NIDA alumnus (Directing, 1997) directed sell out productions such as Belvoir’s ‘Jesus Wants me for a Sunbeam’, Griffin’s ‘Diving for Pearls’ and ‘Miracle City’ at The Hayes. He is working alongside Australia’s queen of choreography and dance icon Kelley Abbey (Happy Feet, Sweet Charity, E-Street) to bring the show to life.
‘What is so clever about ‘Next to Normal’ is that the musical score runs alongside the main character, Diana’s, illness. It literally goes up and down with her. As a rock opera it is intentionally bare, it’s not an orchestral sound space.’
‘Theatre begins discussions. People get angry, confront the cast, it provokes people. I love this piece as it captures a great musical theatre genre but deals with difficult issues about grief.’
NIDA’s October Season of Student Productions provides a unique opportunity for students to collaborate with award-winning Australian and European directors. They include theatre director Darren Yap, opera and theatre director Mark Gaal,comedy specialist Darren Gilshenan, director and lecturer Priscilla Jackman, opera and theatre director Kate Gaul, European film and theatre teacher and actor Clara Voda and NIDA Director Centre for Acting John Bashford.
27 October – 4 November 2020
Kate Gaul, ‘Orlando’
Mark Gaal, ‘When the Rain Stops Falling’
Priscilla Jackman, ‘Ghosts’
Darren Gilshenan, ‘The Government Inspector’