NEST

This performance is presented as part of the VCA Master of Theatre (Writing) Festival 2025.

NEST

Written by Nicki Jam

In an awning above an inner-city take away shop, NEST is a world we overlook

But in the cracks we find family

A rat’s eye view of survival in a brutal world

Content Note

This performance contains references to family violence.

Runtime

This performance will run for approximately 50 minutes.

Performance schedule

Thursday 13 November, 6PM
Friday 14 November, 10AM

Credits

Director: Emma Gough
Dramaturg: Yuchen Yao

About the writer

Nicki is a writer, director, producer and performer with over a decade of experience in theatre both in Australia and abroad. On top of her creative practice, she is the founder of Golden Jam Productions, owner of Golden Jam Studio in Collingwood, and a producer at La Mama Theatre.

A graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts Master of Directing for Performance, Nicki has also trained across multiple disciplines in Sydney, New York, Los Angeles and here in Naarm.

Her theatre credits include Assistant Directing LOVE (Susie Dee, Venice Bienalle/ fortyfivedownstairs), An attachment on World Problems (Cassandra Fumi, Melbourne Theatre Company), and The House on the Lake (Kim Hardwick, Griffin Theatre Company). She has directed and produced work across various festivals including Selkie (Darlinghurst Theatre/Festival Fatale) and The Wasp (Sydney Fringe).

Her original works, including Growing Down (VCA), showcase her ability to craft poetic, emotionally resonant stories with grit and heart. This Masters of Theatre (Writing) has been a chance to deepen her practice and test the bounds of what she thought possible.

Acknowledgement

Thanks to Raimondo Cortese for his support of my wild ideas.
Thanks to Michele Lee, Emily Sheehan, Amy Sole and Chris Mead for helping me to find my voice by sharing theirs so generously.
Thank you to my incredible classmates, your work this year has inspired me. How lucky the industry is to have you all set to take flight.
Thank you to Richie and Chi for living with my ratty brain all year.
And, although this was written before rehearsals began, thank you to Emma Gough and my cast for bringing the reading to life.

Ticket Price

Free. Registrations required on Humanitix.

Please note that there is often a drop-off in attendance at our free events on the day of the performance. If this event is booked out and you have not secured a ticket, we encourage you to arrive at the venue 15 minutes before the advertised start time and speak to our Front of House team. Once audience members with tickets have been seated, any remaining seats will be made available to patrons waiting at the door. Please be advised that entry without securing a ticket in advance cannot be guaranteed.

If you have booked for a performance and are no longer able to attend, please cancel your booking via your Humanitix account or email us at fineartsmusic-tickets@unimelb.edu.au.

Venue

This reading takes place in Studio 4, located in the Dodds Street Performing Arts Building which is accessible via paths in the Dodds Street Linear Park.
Please meet our friendly Front of House staff in the foyer on the ground floor of the Dodds Street Performing Arts Building. Studio 4 is then accessible via the stairs or lift.

Read more about the Master of Theatre (Writing) graduates presenting this season.

Image: Don Shearman.

PARKING

The City of Melbourne has recently changed the parking restrictions around the Southbank Campus. Parking control hours are now expanded to 7am–10pm, seven days per week, and are capped at three hours. A $2-per-hour fee after 7pm is also now in place. There is no change to the $4-per-hour peak rate between 7am–7pm. Parking inspectors are regularly in the area fining drivers who overstay their meter, so we encourage everyone to be aware and avoid an expensive fine.

ACCESSIBILITY

All venues at the Southbank campus are wheelchair accessible. To read more about access services available at our venues, please visit: https://finearts-music.unimelb.edu.au/access-our-events. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• Please stay home if you feel unwell, even with mild symptoms. Face masks are welcome in all settings for community and personal safety.

• In order to account for drop-off in attendance, we overbook a select number of free events at the Faculty. If you have not arrived by the start of the performance, your ticket may be released to any waiting patrons at the door. Please arrive at the venue at least 15 minutes before the performance to secure your seat. 

• Admission to any of our concerts and events is strictly at the discretion of Front of House. We have zero tolerance for any disrespectful behaviour.