Drama at NIDA is offstage, not on it

The future of the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) appears to be on tenterhooks, with claims that in-fighting at a Board level is damaging the school’s reputation.

In an explosive double-page article in The Sydney Morning Herald today, it is revealed that there is instability across the board at NIDA, as long-standing staff members continue to depart the school.

The latest casualty is John Clark, who resigned from the NIDA Board last month. It follows the departure of 30-year NIDA veteran librarian Christine Roberts and head of movement, Julia Cotton.

It is understood that both Roberts and Cotton left in bitter circumstances.

A source told the Herald: “Politics at board level and a culture of change for change’s sake are damaging the school’s reputation and lowering its standards. The board is a mationette theatre with enough puppets to make the real actors not matter.”

It is understood that Avigail Herman, who has a long history with musical theatre students at NIDA and fought for the introduction of an accredited music theatre diploma, also has an uncertain future at NIDA.

NIDA Chief Executive, Lynne Williams, continues to have her role at NIDA questioned, particularly behind the scenes.