NIDA Open Program production, 'A Day in December' 26 to 28 February

The opportunity to work on a new Australian play is not one to be passed up. I was lucky enough to be in that position as one of 15 student actors in NIDA's Open Program to be selected to particiapate in 'A Day in December'. A verbatim play about the 1999 Glenbrook train disaster by writer, Linden Wilkinson, the story recounts survivors attempts to come to terms with all they had seen, heard and felt during and following the crash.

For us emerging actors, the play also offered the great chance to work with the celebrated actor/director, Jennifer Hagen. Jennifer was simply wonderful. She is a gifted teacher with the ability to convey direction simply and clearly, always encouraging, supportive and good at instilling confidence. She had reserves of patience that astounded me. Her instructions on the technical side of acting are what will stay with me the most. I could not imagine a better teacher for new actors learning their craft.

I also want to pay tribute to my fellow cast members. We all came to the production with varying levels of skills, age and experience. For six special weeks in my life, we remixed, rethought and rehearsed Linden's poweful words under Jennifer's experienced hand.

We had to work at it. By the final dress rehearsal there were still bugs in our performance and the pressure was on. But then on the opening night within minutes of going onto the stage, all cast members gathered in the men's dressing room. We pledged to ourselves and to our audience that we would pull out a big one and do what we had to do when we had to do it. We did. With adrenaline glowing in our veins, we soared in front of an appreciative full house. This incredibly intense feeling of collective energy and warmth was underscored by promises from all to support each other. We simply could not let each other down. 

And we didn't. I will never, ever forget Linden's wonderful play, Jennifer's brilliance as a teacher and director, and the inspirational chemistry that bonded us all. 'A Day in December' was truly a play to remember.

The play ran for four performances in NIDA's Parade Playhouse from 26 to 28 February 2009 as part of NIDA's 50th birthday celebrations.