NSW Public Schools State Drama Ensemble

Region: Metro, Metropolitan South
Years 9 to 11

The NSW Public Schools State Drama Ensemble provides students from Years 9 to 11 with the opportunity to develop a work for performance at the State Drama Festival in October. Places in this ensemble are open to high potential and motivated students currently attending a NSW public school.

Applications for the State Drama Ensemble are now closed.

On this page

Enquiries

The drama team
The Arts Unit
drama.artsunit@det.nsw.edu.au
02 8512 1175

Links

Performance opportunities

Students will perform at the at the State Drama Festival held at the Seymour Centre in Chippendale and may be digitally recorded.

For all other information about the program, please visit the student information pack.

Program Drama Film

State Drama Festival

Kindergarten to Year 11
Back to index

Dates

Devising workshops

Monday 28 September to Friday 2 October 2026 (first week of the school holidays)
Rehearsals run from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm daily.

Final rehearsal, technical rehearsal and performances

Wednesday 21 to Friday 23 October 2026. Exact times to be confirmed.

Back to index

Locations

Rehearsals will take place at The Arts Unit, Lewisham. 

Performances will take place at The Seymour Centre, Chippendale. 

 

Back to index

Fees

To ensure that the NSW Public Schools Drama Ensembles can operate under changing educational and economic structures, we are required to charge a participation fee. This subsidised payment partly covers expert tuition, administration, venue costs and costume requirements. Students will need to cover the cost of their own travel and/or accommodation if needed. All prices include GST.

  • $350 – metro and non-metro schools
  • $250 – department identified rural and remote schools

Check the rural and remote schools (DOCX, 74.07KB) list for subsidy eligibility. Please note that if you attend a school in a border town that is close to a major city centre in another state, your school may not appear on this list. If this is the case, please reach out to drama.artsunit@det.nsw.edu.au to check your eligibility.

Back to index

Related digital resources

Art Bites Dance Drama Music

Top tips for auditioning

Students
Use these top tips, delivered by students for students, to help you prepare for your next audition.
Creative Resource Drama

Audition tips for drama

Students from the NSW Public Schools Drama Company interviewed Dean Carey, author of The Actor's Audition Manual and the Artistic Director of the Actors Centre Australia, to get his advice on what makes a great drama audition.
Art Bites Drama

Drama warm-ups for performance

Students and teachers

Warm up the body and voice with some quick and easy solo exercises to get you ready for performance.
Creative Class Drama

Tune in and tune up

Years 7 and 8 drama

Discover drama warm-up games that will strengthen you vocally, physically and imaginatively.
More digital resources Back to the top

All Arts Unit programs are inclusive. If support is required to participate in the NSW Public Schools State Drama Ensemble, please email drama.artsunit@det.nsw.edu.au so that we can assist.