Parade Theatres

Parade Theatres describes the four theatre spaces of NIDA embraced under one banner - Parade Theatre, Parade Playhouse, Parade Studio and Parade Space.

The name is inspired by NIDAs original Parade Theatre and acknowledges NIDAs long standing connection to the Parade in name and place. The old Parade Theatre was a lecture hall until it was converted into a theatre space for the Old Tote Theatre Company in 1969, and it then became NIDAs major theatre in 1988.

The Parade Theatre and the other venues in the Parade Theatres complex have been utilised by NIDA and most of the top arts companies in New South Wales including Sydney Festival, Sydney Theatre Company, Ensemble Theatre and Bell Shakespeare Company.

The facilities of the Parade Theatres can be hired to anyone subject to availability*. The school has initial preference and gets to make its bookings for the year. The remaining dates are then made available to outside hirers. Traditionally the school presents three seasons of plays over two weeks by Second and Third Year Students.

*Hirers are required to have a Public Liability insurance policy for AUD10,000,000.00 and noting the interest of NIDA.

Along with these main four theatre spaces, Parade Theatres hosts numerous other venues available for smaller functions, presentations and gatherings. Visit the Parade Theatres website via the link below to view capacities, conditions of hire and for more information.

PARADE THEATRE

The magnificent Parade Theatre is ideally suited for the presentation of theatre works, musicals and dance productions. Its full seating capacity of 709 is accommodated in stalls and two balconies in a horseshoe design that fosters an overwhelming sense of warmth and intimacy.

The capacity reduces to 659 when the orchestra pit is in use to accommodate up to 20 musicians. The theatre features a 14 x 10 metre main stage and 14 x 6.5 metre rear stage, a removable thrust stage, 49 counterweight fly lines, state-of-the-art lighting and sound facilities, an under stage basement, Green Room and six dressing rooms, Dinners on stage are also possible with seating for up to 110.

Performers and audiences alike have enjoyed the proximity that exists between stage and auditorium in the Parade Theatre. The theatre showcases NIDA student productions and regularly hosts a range of professional activity. Performance highlights have included Sydney Theatre Companys Major Barbara, Bea Arthur in Concert and The Beckett Season for Sydney Festival.

In addition the theatre has accommodated corporate launches, Awards Nights, conferences, community concerts and professional theatre productions from both local and interstate producers.

PARADE PLAYHOUSE

Adjacent to the Parade Theatre and Nancy Fairfax Foyer, the Parade Playhouse is a 155 seat stadium style theatre. It is well equipped with sound and lighting facilities, two dressing rooms and its own foyer (The James Fairfax Foyer).

The Playhouse is perfect for smaller, more intimate theatre productions, seminars, presentations and for use as a break-out room for larger events simultaneously using the Parade Theatre.

PARADE STUDIO

The Parade Studio is designed to provide a flexible, attractive and inexpensive performance space for emerging theatre makers to develop new work, co-operative theatre projects or for play readings and presentations.

The Studio is equipped with 120 removable seats and adjustable platforms enabling the venue to be configured in a variety of performance formats or to be cleared completely for a stand-up cocktail party. The theatre features a wrap-around balcony on three sides.

The lighting and sound equipment in the studios standard configuration provides a good basis for most productions.The Studio has its own entrance and foyer and a dressing room for 12 artists.

PARADE SPACE

The recently renovated and re-seated Parade Space provides another flexible performance space to complete the suite of theatres in the Parade Theatres complex. The 105 square metre intimate space is suitable for plays, presentations, seminars and rehearsals.

With a maximum capacity of 104 the Parade Space can be configured in a number of ways with seating to suit the presenters requirements.

The Parade Space does not have dedicated dressing rooms and special arrangements need to be made when this venue is used as a performance space. A comprehensive selection of lighting and sound equipment is standard for the space.

Visit the Parade Theatres website for more information.