A Woonona High School student who undertook three construction courses as part of her HSC has been offered a rare opportunity to study set construction at NIDA.

A blackbelt Hapkido and extreme weaponry student, Beau Brown originally wanted to be a stunt person or a roadie.

But after attending an open day at the National Institute for the Dramatic Art (NIDA), she decided to skip the gap year she had planned and apply for its Bachelor of Fine Arts - Set Construction Technologies course instead.

Beau is one of only six people across the Southern Hemisphere to be offered a place in the course, which is the only one of its kind in Australia and one of only a few available worldwide.

The course will equip her with the skills needed to build sets and performance environments in theatre, film and for live events.

Beau said a school excursion in Year 10 to watch Moulin Rouge inspired her passion for set construction.

“During the performance I saw two halves of a diamond-shaped set roll on to the stage and meet perfectly in the middle, and this is what inspired me to work towards attending NIDA,” Beau said.

“The staff at Woonona High School have been extremely encouraging throughout the HSC, and the technology teachers were especially interested in helping me develop the skills I would need to be successful with my future endeavours.

“To be accepted into NIDA and especially on my first attempt means the absolute world to me.

“Working in the industry has always been a goal of mine and to see it come true and unfold before me is truly incredible and I'm extremely excited to see where this path takes me.”

Her construction and industrial technology teacher Ben Bradley spoke to the the Illawarra Mercury about his pride in having his students succeed.

"You just want to see them achieve their best ... and go on to their next stage of life and fulfil their 'why'," Mr Bradley told the paper.

"And Beau's done that, which is awesome."

Beau’s mum Sharon Brown said she was proud of her daughter and thanked Woonona High School for supporting Beau throughout her high school journey.

“We're eternally grateful for your support of Beau throughout her time at Woonona High, as well as the incredible teachers who've encouraged and inspired her along the way,” Ms Brown said.

“During her time at Woonona High we've seen Beau flourish into a young woman who's confident enough to follow her own path in life.”