The National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in partnership with Blacktown Arts Centre will be running Youth Drama Classes throughout 2012 for young people in Western Sydney. The classes are facilitated by industry experienced practitioners. For a full program of classes and to enrol please visit NIDA's website or call NIDA on 9697 7626.

Term 1 Saturdays 18 February - 31 March, 10am - 11:30pm

Get moving: be inspired by real life people. Explore physical characterisations using props and costumes. See what happens when your character meets other characters. Rehearse and present this original story.

Term 2 Saturdays 5 May - 16 June, 10am - 11:30pm

Tell it like it is! Explore vocal exercises, and tackle some astounding spoken word scenarios. Using acting and singing techniques, build your vocal flexibility and command in order to speak out with confidence. Develop vocal dexterity with award winning contemporary verse and the best bits of Shakespeare.

Term 3 Saturdays 28 July - 8 September, 1010am - 11:30pm

Voice & Character: improve your vocal skills and range. Using acting and singing techniques, build flexibility and command. Devise your own voice warm-up and create a vocal performance that could include soundscapes, rapping or beat boxing.

Term 4 Saturdays 20 October - 1 December, 10am - 11:30pm

Acting, movement and vocal skills combine as you explore short scenes, especially written for your age group. Discover how to read scripts and learn lines effectively. Create a fully developed character, rehearse and perform to the best of your ability.

Cost: 9 - 11 yrs $210 per term (earlybird $180).

DRAMA FOR 12-15 YEARS OLD

Term 1 Saturdays 18 February - 31 March, 12:00 - 2:00pm

Create improvisations to develop your ability to perform with confidence and spontaneity. Use research, devising and character exploration to develop a short performance based on real life events and news stories. Learn how to work well as an individual and as part of an ensemble.

Term 2 Saturdays 5 May - 16 June, 12:00 - 2:00pm

Develop vocal technique through challenging vocal exercises. Create vocal characterisations and explore accents. Develop vocal dexterity and command through award winning contemporary scripts and the best bits of Shakespeare.

Term 3 Saturdays 28 July - 8 September, 12:00 - 2:00pm

Extend physical performance skills as you create a dynamic physical theatre scenario based on character observation. Choose your subject, and research and devise character traits to create an original performance for presentation.

Term 4 Saturdays 20 October - 1 December, 12:00 - 2:00pm

Connections: rehearse and perform scenes from the 2012 National Theatre Connections portfolio of plays. Specially commissioned for young people, these scripts are the best in new writing. Draw on vocal, physical and character building techniques to create believable scene work. Discover how to read scripts and learn lines effectively. Create a fully developed character, rehearse and perform to the best of your ability.

Cost: 12 - 15 yrs $270 per term (earlybird $240).