Drama Ensembles 2025 – applications

Locality: The Arts Unit, Lewisham
Years 5 to 11
Event Application Ensemble Drama
Tags: High potential and gifted (HPGE)

Dates

Applications closing: Fri 14 Feb 2025

The NSW Public Schools Drama Ensembles develop high potential and gifted students in drama. Ensemble tutors are drawn from Arts Unit experts and industry professionals. The Drama Ensembles will perform at the Drama Festival in October.

For more information about this program, please read the 2025 Drama Ensembles Information Pack

 

Program commencement dates

All Drama Ensembles commence on Wednesday 30 April, 2025 (Term 2 Week 1). There will also be three Sunday rehearsals, one per term.

Rehearsal times:

  • Wednesday 4:45 pm to 6:45 pm for Primary Drama Ensembles (Year 5 and 6)
  • Wednesday 5 pm to 7 pm for Junior and Senior Drama Ensembles (Year 7 to 11)
  • All Drama Ensembles will rehearse from 10 am – 4 pm on Sunday 15 June, Sunday 21 September and Sunday 19 October 2025.

Application process

  1. Complete the webform application below and include your parent consent.
  2. Your school principal will receive an email once you submit this application and be asked to endorse your inclusion, if successful, in the weekly Drama Ensemble program. 
  3. Attend the live audition at the time you have chosen. No preparation is required.

Audition requirements

  • Auditions will be in a workshop format of warm-up, movement and improvisation skills
  • All students are to wear comfortable clothing and bring a bottle of water.

Audition dates and times

Primary Drama Ensembles (Years 5 and 6):

  • Sunday 16 February 2025, 10 am to 12 pm
  • Sunday 16 February 2025, 2 pm to 4 pm
  • Wednesday 19 February 2025, 5 pm to 7 pm

Junior Drama Ensembles (Years 7 and 8):

  • Wednesday 26 February 2025, 5 pm to 7 pm
  • Sunday 9 March 2025, 10 am to 12 pm

Senior Drama Ensembles (Years 9, 10 and 11):

  • Wednesday 5 March 2025, 5 pm to 7 pm
  • Sunday 9 March 2025, 2 pm to 4 pm
  • Wednesday 12 March 2025, 5 pm to 7 pm

Callback auditions 

Students will be notified after their open audition whether or not they are invited to the callback audition. Callbacks for Primary students will occur on Sunday 23 February, 2025. Callbacks for Secondary students will occur on Sunday 16 March and Wednesday 19 March, 2025.

Audition resources

Fees

  • The annual membership fee for each drama ensemble in 2025 is $395, including GST.

Enquiries

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

Related programs

Apply for the drama ensembles

Privacy notice

The information requested in this note is being collected by the NSW Department of Education. The department will use the information in connection with your student's participation in this event for the following purposes:

  1. administration;
  2. communication with parents/carers; and
  3. for the health, safety and welfare of your student.

The department might share the information requested in this note with health care providers in the event that your student requires urgent medical attention. All personal information will be held securely and disposed of securely when no longer needed.

You have the right to access and correct the information you provide in this note. If you wish to do so, please contact The Arts Unit on 02 8512 1100 Locked Bag 1500, Petersham NSW 2049 

Specific privacy information

The department will use information about your student's

  • Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status for the purpose of implementing its Aboriginal Education Policy.
  • Identified additional support information to ensure appropriate learning adjustments are in place.

The provision of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander status or gender status is voluntary, and not providing either of them will not impact on your student's participation. All other additional support information requested in this form is voluntary.

Important information

In the event of injury, no personal injury insurance cover is provided by the NSW Department of Education for students in relation to school sporting activities, physical education lessons or any other school activity. The department’s public liability cover is fault-based and limited to breaches by the department of its duty of care to students that may result in claims for compensation.

Parents/carers are advised to assess the level and extent of their child’s involvement in the activity when deciding whether additional insurance cover is required prior to their child’s involvement in the program. Personal accident insurance cover is available through normal retail insurance outlets.

Student details

Gender
Only required for students in Years 9, 10 and 11.
Please note that this refers to the Principal of the school you will be attending in 2025.

Parent/guardian details

Drama experience

Please provide a brief summary of your previous drama experience, including school groups, performances, workshops etc.

Audition information

Please indicate which open audition you wish to attend.
Years 5 and 6 students
Years 5 and 6 students
Years 5 and 6 students
Years 7 and 8 students
Years 7 and 8 students
Years 9, 10 and 11 students
Years 9, 10 and 11 students
Years 9, 10 and 11 students

Student background information

Are you of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin?
Does the student identify as a person with disability?
Is a language other than English spoken at home?

Disability support information

Are there any special circumstances about the student that the program coordinator should know prior to enrolment?
Additional learning and support needs, including disability
For example, speaking and/or listening
For example, hygiene, mealtimes and/or health care needs social support to engage safely with others
Please indicate any conditions the student experiences
Is there a documented plan to support the student’s additional learning needs at school?
Please upload the student's plan to support additional learning needs, or email [email address linked].
One file only.
16 MB limit.
Allowed types: txt, rtf, pdf, doc, docx, odt, ppt, pptx, odp, xls, xlsx, ods.

Authority to film and record

Responsible school or business unit and contact person

The filming/recording will be arranged by: The Department of Education, The Arts Unit

Contact person name: Genevieve De Souza 
Email: drama.artsunit@det.nsw.edu.au

Production company

The filming/recording will be done by: internally by NSW Department of Education ('department')

Project

Project described as above.

Medium

Referred to in this document as 'footage'.

  • Video (including audio)
  • Still photography
  • Audio only recording

Filming/recording start and end date

As per project date unless otherwise described.

Filming location

As per project location unless otherwise described.

What the footage will be used for

The footage will be used to promote the workshop or program and encourage support and participation in the workshop or program.

Publication media

In connection with the Project the footage may be used by the department in the following:

  • on departmental and school websites in school newsletters
  • in publicity materials published by the department
  • on the department’s social media accounts
  • in print digital and online newspapers and magazines
  • television
  • other.

What will be filmed or recorded

Performances, rehearsals, workshops, interviews, competitions, festivals in relation to the Project.

How the filming or recording will occur

Up to three cameras would be used, with external lighting and audio recording equipment.

Storage and access

Raw footage will be stored on NSW Department of Education servers, accessible by The Arts Unit staff. After editing, the finished or produced media will be published on the Department of Education's social media channels and websites and accessible to the public. Footage may also be shared and accessed by media outlets.
 

How long can the footage be used for?

The footage will be available until the department considers it no longer fit for purpose.
 
The footage online may be cached on web browsers, and archived copies may appear after the department ceases to post it.

 

Transportation

Not applicable.

Acknowledgements and consents

Filming/recording: I consent to the department filming me and recording my voice, performances, poses, and actions in connection with the project described above.
Re-records: if any re-recording or voice-overs are needed, I agree to make myself available to assist.
Use: I consent to the department using the footage of me for the Project described above, (including to promote the Project.
Video editing: I understand that the department may edit any video it records, including combining it with other video and audio and adding text or music for the project
Inspection: I waive any right to inspect or approve any use of the footage before it is used.
Copyright: I acknowledge and agree that all rights in and to any content captured as a part of the project, including the copyright, are and shall remain the sole property of the department and I waive any moral rights under the Copyright Act 1968 in the video and audio.
Voluntary: I understand that participation in the filming and recording is voluntary and I will not be remunerated.
Online reposts: if the footage is posted by the department on the internet the department cannot prevent third parties from posting links.
Interpretation: references in this Acknowledgment to 'me' and 'I' are references to the person recorded in the 'student details' section of this form.

I certify and represent that I have read the foregoing and fully understand the meaning and effect; and (please select one of the following):

Authority to Film and Record

Please note that participation in the program is not dependent on granting permission to publish (talent release).

Parent/guardian permissions

Please sign above
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