Primary Drama Skills Development Workshops – applications

Locality: The Arts Unit, Lewisham
Region: Metro, Metropolitan South
Online event
Years K to 6
Event Application Workshop Drama

Dates

Applications closing: Tue 20 May 2025

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.

Please note that the 2025 Drama Skills Development Workshop will commence under the guidelines from NSW Health and the Department of Education.

Booking process

  1. Complete this form to book a position in the 2025 Drama Skills Development Workshop. We recommend filling in the form from a computer.
  2. Check that you received an auto-confirmation email (check the spam folder) for your booking. If you did not receive this, then your booking was not submitted.
  3. An email will be sent to your school to notify your school, so please ensure the school email is entered correctly.
  4. Complete workshop payment via the Student payment portal by Wednesday 21 May for the May workshops for Primary Students.
  5. The Drama team will be in contact within 2 weeks of the workshop with all final details and reminders.

Workshop details

Date: Sun 25 May 2025

Face-to-face:

  • Session 1: 10 am to 12 pm
  • Session 2: 1 pm to 3 pm

Online:

  • Session 1: 10 am to 11:30 am
  • Session 2: 1 pm to 2:30 pm

Note that the online sessions are shorter to allow for the fatigue of learning through a screen. 

Students can come for just one session or can book in for both sessions for a full day of workshops. Students who book for the full day face to face workshops will need to bring their lunch and will be supervised by teachers during the break.

Venue: The Arts Unit – Corner Toothill Street and The Boulevarde, Lewisham or virtually through Microsoft Teams

Cost:

  • Single, face to face workshop (2 hours) – $45.00
  • Full day, face to face workshop (4 hours) – $90.00
  • Single online workshop (90 minutes) – $25.00
  • Double online workshop (3 hours) – $50.00

All payments will be accepted online through our student payment portal.

Workshop options

Morning
Years K to 2: Creative play and expression

Let’s use group imagination to explore ideas and express ourselves! This two hour workshop designed specifically for K–2 students introduces improvisation and storytelling techniques with a focus on creativity, physical expression, character and movement. 

Note that this workshop is the same workshop as the afternoon session. We recommend students in K to 2 only participate in one 2 hour workshop for the day.

Years 3 and 4: Characterisation  

Want to learn how to build clear and interesting characters? This workshop will focus on how to use your body and voice to communicate different personalities on stage. Beginners welcome.

Note that this workshop is the same as the Characterisation workshop in the afternoon.

Years 3 to 6: Creative storytelling with movement

Our bodies are extremely important for storytelling on a stage. In this workshop, we will experiment with movement and creative physical expression. Learn how to use gestures to create meaning and develop confidence in using movement to communicate ideas. Work with small groups to explore group relationships and create stories through your coordinated movement. Beginners welcome.

Years 5 to 6: Warm ups and group improvisation

This workshop will develop skills through warm up games that prepare the mind and body for creative thinking before exploring small group improvisation tasks that develop characters and situations for storytelling.

Note that this workshop is designed to be a companion with the Introduction to Devising workshop in the afternoon, but can also be a standalone workshop for those who are new to group work in drama.

Online class: Creative storytelling with movement

Our bodies are extremely important for storytelling on a stage. In this workshop, we will explore individual expression through gesture and movement. We will use music as a stimulus to create a short movement piece that tells a story.

Please note that you will need access to a laptop or computer with a web cam and a reliable internet connection for this workshop. Note that for safety, cameras will be expected to stay on for the duration of the workshop.

Afternoon
Years K to 2: Creative play and expression

Let’s use group imagination to explore ideas and express ourselves! This two hour workshop designed specifically for K–2 students introduces improvisation and storytelling techniques with a focus on creativity, physical expression, character and movement. 

Note that this workshop is the same workshop as the morning session. We recommend students in K to 2 only participate in one 2 hour workshop for the day.

Years 3 and 4: Characterisation  

Want to learn how to build clear and interesting characters? This workshop will focus on how to use your body and voice to communicate different personalities on stage. Beginners welcome.

Note that this workshop is the same as the Characterisation workshop in the morning.

Years 3 to 6 (advanced): Audition techniques

Want to hone your audition skills and build your confidence in handling the pressure of an audition? This workshop will focus on techniques and approaches for auditioning for a role. 

Please note that this workshop is designed for students who already have experience in drama and are confident performers. If you are unsure, please get in contact with the team at [email protected] 

Years 5 to 6: Introduction to devising

'Devising' is a term we use in drama that means developing an original work. This often involves using small improvised tasks to build draft material and then gradually refining this material into a performance. Learn an approach to devising which uses small group improvisation and collaboration to develop a story. 

Note that this workshop is designed to be a companion with the Warm Ups and Group Improvisation workshop in the morning, but can also be a standalone workshop for those who already have some experience in drama who want to learn more about devising. If you are new to drama, we recommend doing both workshops to build your confidence in improvisation and then learn an approach to devising.

Online class: Writing a monologue

Every wanted to write your own monologue? This online workshop will lead you through an approach to writing a solo performance with dialogue that provides an emotional journey. Learn to think about situation, character and relationships as you shape your monologue and experiment with storytelling through words and gestures.

Please note that you will need access to a laptop or computer with a web cam and a reliable internet connection for this workshop. Note that for safety, cameras will be expected to stay on for the duration of the workshop.

General information

  • Each workshop will be led by a drama teaching specialist.
  • Workshops will be active, students must wear comfortable clothing.
  • Students are required to be on The Arts Unit's premises for the duration of the workshops and the lunch break if they are staying for the whole day.
  • Please make sure your name is clearly marked on belongings and leave unnecessary valuables at home.
  • Please bring water and plenty to eat for lunch. There is no cafe or canteen on site. 
  • Online workshops will be run through Microsoft Teams. Students must have access to a laptop or computer with a webcam and microphone for this session, as it will involve interaction. Please note that for safety, cameras must remain on for the duration of the workshop.

Enquiries

The drama team
The Arts Unit
[email protected]
02 8512 1175

Related programs

Apply for the workshops

Bookings for the Primary Skills Development Workshops will close Tuesday 20 May.

Please note that the 2025 Drama Skills Development Workshop will commence under the guidelines from NSW Health and the Department of Education. 

Booking process

  1. Complete this form to book a position in the 2025 Drama Skills Development Workshop. We recommend filling in the form from a computer.
  2. Check that you received an auto-confirmation email (check the spam folder) for your booking. If you did not receive this, then your booking was not submitted.
  3. An email will be sent to your school to notify your school, so please ensure the school email is entered correctly.
  4. Complete workshop payment via the Student payment portal by Wednesday 21 May for the May workshops for Primary Students.
  5. The Drama team will be in contact within 2 weeks of the workshop with all final details and reminders.

Contact details

Should you have any queries, please contact us at [email protected].

Drama Skills Development Workshops

Program Drama
Years K to 12
Students participate in a full day workshop led by specialist tutors from the performing arts industry to develop their drama skills.

 

 

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

Student background information

Is the student 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.

Parent/guardian details

Workshop details

Please indicate the workshop options you would like for the morning and/or afternoon. Please note that each workshop has a limit of between 25 - 30 students and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Please visit the website for a full description of each workshop.
Please visit the website for a full description of each workshop.

Student medical information

(Nominated by parent or caregiver as an alternate contact)
Please indicate if the student has any of the following medical conditions.
If the student has a medical action plan for any reason, including asthma, anaphylaxis or allergies you are required to supply this plan by uploading or via email to [email protected].
One file only.
16 MB limit.
Allowed types: jpg, jpeg, png, html, pdf, doc, docx, zip.
If nil, please type N/A.

Parent permissions and agreements

In the event that my child fails to abide by the Behaviour code for students I understand that I will be notified and that they will be required to be collected or sent home at my expense.
Download the Administering medication form (DOCX, 76.16 KB).

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: [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'.

  • Still photography

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

Workshop participation.

How the filming or recording will occur

One photographer will visit each workshop room for approximately 20 minutes.

Storage and access

Raw footage will be stored on NSW Department of Education secure servers, accessible only by The Arts Unit staff. Produced footage will be uploaded to Vimeo and cross published on Facebook and The Arts Unit website, accessible by the public.

How long can the footage be used for?

The footage will be available for use until the department considers it no longer fit for purpose

The footage online may provide cached on web browsers  and archived copies may appear after the department itself has ceased to post the footage.

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.

Payment

Payments should be made through the student payment portal. 

  1. Select 'Drama'
  2. Select 'Drama Skills Workshop'
  3. Select the payment amount
  4. Fill in your details

I understand full payment must be made before the workshops. There will be no refunds within one week of the workshop date. Cash will not be accepted.

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students during a drama workshop

Primary Drama Skills Development Workshops

The Arts Unit, Lewisham
 Online event
Years K to 6

Date: Sun 25 May 2025

Face-to-face

  • Session 1: 10 am to 12 pm
  • Session 2: 1 pm to 3 pm

Online

  • Session 1: 10 am to 11:30 am 
  • Session 2: 1 pm - 2:30 pm