Almost 300 people attended NIDA’s annual Foundation Trust fundraising Gala on Saturday night, July 21, at the National Institute of Dramatic Art in Kensington.
NIDA’s foyer was transformed to reflect the theme of the evening: ‘Trip the Light Fantastic!’ and the evening featured entertainment provided by NIDA’s acting students. The NIDA Foundation Trust’s annual fundraising dinners have raised close to $700,000 over the last six years (with support from SEVEN Network) to support NIDA student projects and other opportunities for the creative development of emerging Australian talent.
Among the guests were NIDA acting graduates Sarah Snook (Not Suitable for Children, Spirited), Ryan Corr (Not Suitable for Children, Packed to the Rafters), Miranda Tapsell (The Sapphires), Andrea Demetriades (Sydney Theatre Company’s Pygmalion, Crownies), Hugo Johnstone-Burt (cloudstreet, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries), Benedict Samuel (Home and Away), Arianwen Parkes-Lockwood (Home and Away, A Place to Call Home), Susie Porter (Bikie Wars, Puberty Blues, Dangerous Remedy) and Vanessa Gray (Rescue Special Ops, The Strip).
Other guests included: actors Dan Wylie, Emma Lung, Elizabeth Debicki, Angus Sampson and Sophie Low; fashion figures Edwina McCann (editor of Vogue), Gracie Otto, designers Josh Goot and Sarah-Jane Clarke, stylist Romy Frydman, Nick Smith (editor of GQ), Elizabeth Renkert (editor of Madison); dancers Charles Thompson and Robyn Hendricks from the Australian Ballet; and representatives from the Seven Network, Icon Films, Dendy Cinemas and Showtime.