A new partnership between the National Institute of Dramatic Art and Brown's Mart is opening doors for First Nations young people across the Northern Territory to build careers behind the scenes in the performing arts industry.

Applications are now open for NIDA First Nations Technical Production Pathways 2026, a free five-day intensive program that will provide hands-on training in technical and production roles that support live performance, theatre and festivals.

Delivered at the Brown's Mart precinct in Darwin during National NAIDOC Week, the program will run from Monday 6 July to Friday 10 July and is open to First Nations people aged 18 to 25 from across the Territory.

Participants will gain practical experience in stage management, lighting, sound and festival operations while learning directly from NIDA's industry-respected teaching staff.

NIDA Director of First Nations, Travis Cardona, said the program responds to a significant gap within Australia's entertainment industry.

"First Nations people remain underrepresented in technical and production roles within Australia's entertainment industry, despite strong demand," he said.

"This free program addresses that gap by combining world-class training with practical, real-world pathways into employment across live events, theatre and festivals."

The Northern Territory has a proud history of producing talented First Nations performers who have gone on to build successful careers through NIDA and the wider screen and performing arts industries. Names such as Miranda Tapsell, Shari Sebbens, Rob Collins, Ben Graetz and Travis Cardona himself have helped inspire a generation of young storytellers to see what is possible.

Yet while many Territorians have followed pathways into acting, directing and performance, opportunities to develop technical production expertise have been far less visible. The new program aims to change that by highlighting the essential roles that exist beyond the spotlight. Every successful production relies on skilled professionals operating lighting and sound systems, coordinating performers backstage, managing stages and delivering complex live events and festivals.

For young people passionate about the arts, the course offers an opportunity to discover career pathways that are creative, practical and in demand across the country.

Brown's Mart co-chief executives Liz Rogers and Yvette Walker said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening First Nations participation across all areas of the creative sector.

"Brown's Mart has always been a place for genuine connection, bold ideas and cultural excellence and its ultimate vision is to bring together people to share their stories and cultural traditions through live performance," Rogers and Walker said.

"This partnership with NIDA will allow young First Nations peoples to build vital skills, grow their professional networks, and contribute to a strengthening First Nations technical workforce in the Northern Territory."

Presented in collaboration with Brown's Mart, the program has been designed to do more than teach technical skills. Participants will also have the opportunity to build industry connections and gain insight into employment opportunities within theatres, festivals, events and the broader entertainment industry.

As the Northern Territory continues to host major cultural events, festivals and productions, demand for skilled technical workers continues to grow. Programs such as this help ensure local First Nations talent is equipped to take advantage of those opportunities while contributing to the future of the Territory's creative industries.

For young First Nations Territorians looking to explore a future in the arts, this initiative offers a rare opportunity to learn from industry leaders, develop practical skills and step into a part of the industry where Indigenous voices remain underrepresented.

While audiences often see the performers on stage, this program is a reminder that there are many ways to tell stories, and some of the most important work happens behind the curtain.

Applications close on Monday 22 June at 11.59pm (AEST).

Applicants are asked to email [email protected] and share who their mob is, where they are from, and why they would like to participate in the course.