NSW Department of Education

Students on stage performing at the State Drama Ensemble

A group of students with a range of exaggerated facial expressions

Drama

Enquiries

The drama team

The Arts Unit

drama.artsunit@det.nsw.edu.au

02 8512 1175

Drama

Apply to be a drama tutor for 2026

Drama @ The Arts Unit enables students to develop confidence and extend their skills, and teachers to build knowledge and skills to engage students to explore their potential.

Industry collaborations provide creative opportunities to extend skills, while performance events showcase drama as an art form.

Local and inclusive opportunities, digital resources and event streaming provide equity and comprehensive support to deliver drama in and as an extension of the classroom.

Programs include ensembles, workshops, performances, teacher professional development and unique industry collaborations.

Digital resources

Extensive collection of digital resources for drama students and teachers.

Programs

Camps

Drama ensembles

Festivals

Performances

Teacher PL

Workshops

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Upcoming applications

NSW Public Schools State Drama Festival – school application

Region: all

Kindergarten to Year 11

Webform Application Festival Drama Film

Nominate your school's item

Applications closing: Fri 11 Sep 2026

The State Drama Festival is a showcase of dramatic works and short films by students from NSW public schools from across the state. Performances are selected from regional drama festivals or schools can submit an application to be included. All pieces in the festival are reviewed by a selection panel.

View event for more information

Enquiries

The drama team

The Arts Unit

drama.artsunit@det.nsw.edu.au

02 8512 1175

NSW Public Schools State Drama Festival – VET student production team application

Years 10 to 12

Webform Application Festival Drama VET

Apply for the production team

Application closing date

Fri 11 Sep 2026

Students in the VET student production team work with State Drama Festival production team and industry professionals to assist with the bump in, bump out, management and coordination of all elements of the production of the show.

View event for more information

Enquiries

The drama team

The Arts Unit

drama.artsunit@det.nsw.edu.au

02 8512 1175

Poetry Slam – applications closing

Locality: Mosman
Region: Metro, Metropolitan South

Years 5 to 11

Event Application Competition Performance Registration Drama Literature and language arts

Tags: Public speaking, Schools Spectacular

Dates

Registrations closing: Mon 14 Sep 2026

Please view the NSW Public Schools Poetry Slam page for more details.

View event for more information

Enquiries

Justine Clarke

Speaking Competitions Officer

The Arts Unit

justine.clarke@det.nsw.edu.au

02 8512 1172

Related programs

NSW Public Schools Poetry Slam

Drama Skills Development Workshops – Riverina and Murray schools workshops EOI closing

Locality: Albury | Narrandera | Cootamundra | Wagga Wagga
Region: Rural South and West

Kindergarten to Year 12

Event Application Workshop Drama

Tags: Circus arts, Drama – Technical

Express your interest in the workshops

Dates

EOI closing: Fri 18 Sep 2026 (Term 3 Week 9)

The Drama Skills Development Workshops for schools will focus on physical theatre and circus skills and be delivered by Swoop Physical Theatre.

Workshop dates: Monday 16 to Friday 20 November 2026

Start times: 9:30 am and 12:30 pm

Locations: Albury | Narrandera | Cootamundra | Wagga Wagga

Venues: TBC

Please note: workshops will be physically active. Students must bring their own water bottles and wear comfortable clothing. School PE uniforms are ideal.

Year group	Workshop length	Workshop capacity	Cost
Years K to 2	90 min	30 students	$20 per student
Years 3 to 6	120 min	30 students	$25 per student
Years 7 to 11	120 min	30 students	$25 per student

View event for more information

Enquiries

The drama team | 02 8512 1175

Related programs

Drama Skills Development Workshops

Pulse Alive 2027 – drama ensemble nominations closing

Locality: Sydney Olympic Park
Region: Metro, Metropolitan South

Years 5 to 12 (in 2027)

Event Application Festival Drama

Nominate for the drama ensemble

Dates

Nominations closing: Fri 18 Sep 2026

The Pulse Alive team are seeking interested students from Years 5 to 12 in 2027 from NSW public schools to form the drama ensemble for Pulse Alive 2027.

Nominations are open to students in Years 5 to 12 in 2027 who will be enrolled at a NSW public school.

The drama ensemble will work with a professional director to devise a piece for the arena, set to one of the pieces of music in the show.

Students applying to be part of the drama ensemble should have some experience performing in drama projects with ensembles and working collaboratively with other students, both from within their school and from other schools.

Please note, this category is only open to individual performers. Students selected as members of the drama ensemble will not be able to participate with their school group in an additional category.

Successful students will require the endorsement of their school principal to participate. Students are encouraged to discuss their nomination with a teacher at their school prior to submission.

Resource fee: $175 per student

View the drama ensembles page for more details.

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Enquiries

Pulse

pulse@det.nsw.edu.au

Peter Hayward

Arts Coordination Officer

peter.s.hayward@det.nsw.edu.au

Related programs

Drama Skills Development Workshops – individual primary student workshops – application

Region: Metro, Metropolitan South

Years K to 6

Webform Application Workshop Drama

Apply for the workshops

Application closing date

Fri 25 Sep 2026

Come and explore a day of drama with our skills development workshops for primary students.

Open to all students from Years K–6 from NSW public schools, these workshops will aim to build confidence and knowledge in drama by working collaboratively with a group of students and an expert tutor. Please see the workshop options below for the different workshop topics available.

View event for more information

Enquiries

The drama team

The Arts Unit

drama.artsunit@det.nsw.edu.au

02 8512 1175

Drama Skills Development Workshops – individual secondary student workshops – application

Region: Metro, Metropolitan South

Years 7 to 11

Webform Application Workshop Drama

Apply for the workshops

Application closing date

Fri 25 Sep 2026

Come and explore a day of drama with our skills development workshops for primary students.

Open to all students from Years 7–11 from NSW public schools, these workshops will aim to build confidence and knowledge in drama by working collaboratively with a group of students and an expert tutor. Please see the workshop options below for the different workshop topics available.

View event for more information

Enquiries

The drama team

The Arts Unit

drama.artsunit@det.nsw.edu.au

02 8512 1175

Connections Showcase – expression of interest

Kindergarten to Year 12 students with disability

Event Application Dance Drama Music Visual arts Film

Tags: All Ability Arts, Disability

Express your school's interest in the program

Dates

Ongoing application

The showcase accepted submissions from students in Kindergarten to Year 12 who were interested in creative practices, including music, dance, visual arts, public speaking, film, and drama. Creative and performing arts projects could be submitted by schools, classes or individual students. These submissions were then compiled into a digital showcase celebrating the creativity of NSW public school students with disability.

View event for more information

Enquiries

The Arts Initiatives team

The Arts Unit

artsinitiatives@det.nsw.edu.au

02 8512 1190

Related programs

Connections Showcase

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Drama

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Upcoming applications

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