Nicholas Prior - Class of 2014
Nicholas
Prior graduated from QACI in 2014 after completing the IB Diploma and
developing a signature creative praxis in Music and Theatre. Here’s Nick’s
story.
“I am writing to let you know that I
have been accepted in the BFA Acting program at the California Institute of the
Arts (CalArts), where I will commence study on the 4th of September.
CalArts is an internationally
recognised school for the performing and visual arts – a conservatorium – just
north of LA. It was founded with the intent to bring different art forms
together and allow them to cross-pollinate, and in the process, foster
collaboration and spark innovation. BFA and MFA degrees are offered in the
fields of Theatre, Dance, Film, Music, Visual Arts, Animation and Writing. The
CalArts artistic philosophy places an emphasis on exploration of new paths
beyond conventional boundaries.
The audition process involved an
individual audition before a panel followed by an individual call-back in front
of the same panel, which involved an interview. I was fortunate enough to be
given the opportunity to visit the campus and shadow a student for a day, which
helped to give me a better understanding of the course and environment. Upon
receiving a place in the incoming cohort, I was also offered a partial
scholarship and government grant, which I am very thankful for.
I’d like to thank Stephen Matthias
and Simon Tate, whom I don’t think this opportunity would be possible without.
The Theatre course at QACI shaped me as a young artist and prepared me for a
life in the industry. On of the great things that stuck out for me in my
interview with the Deans of both the BFA and MFA acting programs is that I
could hold an conversation with them about Theatre as art, the future of the
Theatre industry and my personal philosophy and artistry, and that is a
testament to the kind of education I received at QACI.
I have spent the last 18 months
working and collaborating with other artists in Brisbane including Terra Nemo
Theatre Company (established by QACI Alumnus Gwilym Temple) and in a number of
festivals including Anywhere Theatre Festival and Wonderland Festival with QACI
Alumnus Coleman Grehan. Coleman and I have also been selected as finalists for
the Short & Sweet Festival for
his work The Persistence of Men On Me. The Gala Performance at the Powerhouse
on 26 August will be my last local performance before I move.
Thank you to all my mentors,
teachers and fellow artists – this opportunity wouldn’t have been possible
without you.”