Aboriginal Dance Company – application

Region: Metro, Metro South and West, Metropolitan South
Years 7 to 12 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students
Event Application Ensemble Dance
Tags: Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, High potential and gifted (HPGE)

Dates

Applications closing: Fri 2 May 2025

The Aboriginal Dance Company is an audition-based dance ensemble for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students who excel in contemporary Indigenous dance. The Company is a partnership between the NSW Department of Education Arts Unit and Bangarra Dance Theatre.

In previous years, the Company has performed at the State Dance Festival, in the Schools Spectacular and at a number of other high-profile events. Students selected for the company will experience new and exciting opportunities to perform in 2025.

Please read the 2025 information package before considering your application. 

NSWPS Aboriginal Dance Company - Information book (DOCX 2.08 MB)

 

Audition process

To apply, students must complete the application form and upload the following 4 components:

1. Video of audition choreography

  • Students will need to record themselves performing the audition choreography. This should be shot in landscape with the student applying performing and visible from head to toe. Groups are not encouraged as students are hard to identify. Multiple applications from schools are accepted.
  • Students will need to follow the instructions in the video to create 4 counts of 8 to be performed before or after the audition choreography.
  • Students will need to select their own music to performance the movement to that is at a fast tempo. 

2. Video of interview 

  • A filmed 1 minute Viva Voce (short speech) introducing themselves, their school, their mob, their dance experience, why they would like to be part of the Aboriginal Dance Company and what they hope to do in the future. 

3. Application endorsement

  • All applications must download and complete the following application endorsement form to provide parent / guardian permission, as well as, a teacher reference and principal endorsement.

4. Headshot photograph 

  • A school photo or similar is accepted.

Application endorsement form

All applications must download and complete the following application endorsement form to provide parent/guardian permission, as well as, a teacher reference and principal endorsement.

The completed form should be uploaded in the audition elements sections of this online application to be considered. If you are unable to upload the completed application endorsement form at the time of submission please email it as soon as possible to [email protected].

Audition support resources

What happens next

The audition panel will review the applications after the closing date. Parents and students will be emailed about the outcome of the audition by Term 2, Week 6, Monday 2 June 2025.

Company rehearsals

  • Term 3, Week 7 – Monday 1 September to Friday 5 September at Bangarra Dance Theatre Studios, Dawes Point
  • Term 3, Week 9 – Monday 15 September to Thursday 18 September at Sydney Dance Company Studios, Dawes Point 
  • Term 4, Week 4 – Monday 10 November to Friday 14 November at Bangarra Dance Theatre Studios, Dawes Point
  • Term 4, Week 7 – Monday 24 November to Wednesday 26 November at Fairfield RSL, Fairfield
  • Term 4, Week 7 – Wednesday 26 November to Thursday 27 November at Qudos Bank Arena

Performance commitments 

  • State Dance Festival at Seymour Centre, Chippendale –  Thursday 18 and Friday 19 September 
  • Schools Spectacular at Qudos Bank Arena – Friday 28 November and Saturday 29 November 
  • with the potential for additional opportunities throughout the year as they arise

All Arts Units programs are inclusive. If your students require support to participate in the Aboriginal Dance Company, please email [email protected] so we can assist.

Enquiries

The Arts Initiatives team
The Arts Unit
[email protected]
02 8512 1190

Related programs

Extra resources

Aboriginal Dance Company 2025 audition choreography video

Attachments

NSWPS Aboriginal Dance Company - Information book (DOCX 2.08 MB) Google drive instructions - ADC (DOCX 789.3 KB) Application endorsement form - ADC 2025 (DOCX 73.6 KB)

Apply for the company

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

Please select the school year you are currently in.

School details

Parent/caregiver details

Please enter a valid mobile number in the following format: 04xx xxx xxx

Dance experience

Have you previously attended a Bangarra dance workshop or a Secondary Aboriginal Dance Workshop, hosted by the Arts Unit?
Have you been in the NSW Public Schools Aboriginal Dance Company before?

Audition elements

Please make sure that your Google Drive folder includes 1. Dance video link 2. Interview link 3. Headshot 
Please upload your application endorsement form here. 
Please upload your completed application endorement form.
If you are unable to upload the complete application endorsement form at the time of submission please email it as soon as possible to [email protected].
One file only.
16 MB limit.
Allowed types: txt, rtf, pdf, doc, docx.

Student background information

Is a language other than English spoken at home?
Does the participating student have a disability, (including a medical or behavioural condition) which may need support?

Confirmations

SAM and Payment Information

School Administrative Manager

Permissions

Please consent to the following
My child and I have read and understood Student Behaviour Code. I understand that there will be consequences if my child does not behave appropriately. In these cases, action will be taken at The Arts Unit and/or the child's school and may include withdrawal from this and future activities. I understand that my signed application endorsement form that I submitted includes this permission.

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: Oscar McCrann
Email: [email protected]

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).

Please sign above.
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