Combined Schools Musical
The Combined Schools Musical program is an exciting new initiative by The Arts Unit. It offers students a unique opportunity to engage in a high-quality staged musical without the logistical demands of individual schools organising their own production. Each year, a licensed show will tour NSW, featuring a lead cast of students selected from across the state. These students will engage in a series of intensive whole-day rehearsals on weekends leading up to the performance dates.
Local schools are invited to apply for a chance to have up to 30 students join the school ensemble in a designated evening of performances. Each school will sing, dance and act in an allocated item within the show and participate in the finale at the end. To ensure minimal disruption to their regular studies, music and dance tutorial videos will be provided to schools in advance, allowing students to learn the material at school with their teacher. Participants will then attend a technical/dress rehearsal on the day of their performances, missing only one day of school while gaining an unforgettable opportunity to perform in a large-scale event.
How to apply
Students can apply individually to be a member of the lead cast. Please complete the lead cast application form and upload your audition video/s (maximum of two-minutes per video). You need to add a video to at least one of the three sections (singing, dancing and acting) in the application form. Please select repertoire that fits with the style of the show. Applications for lead cast close on Friday 28 November 2025. Based on the audition videos, students may be invited to attend the live auditions on Saturday 6 or Sunday 7 December 2025. Please add these dates to your calendar to ensure you are available to attend, if required.
Schools can apply to be a part of the school ensemble by completing the school ensemble application form. Applications for school ensemble close on Friday 5 December 2025. We endeavour to accept as many schools in the program as possible.
2026 performance dates
Lindfield Learning Village
Monday 18 to Friday 22 May 2026 (Term 2 Week 5)
Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School
Monday 1 to Friday 5 June 2026 (Term 2 Week 7)
Murwillumbah High School
Monday 24 to Friday 28 August 2026 (Term 3 Week 6)
2026 rehearsal dates for lead cast
Rehearsals for the lead casts performing at Lindfield Learning Village and Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School will be held at The Arts Unit, Lewisham from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on the following Saturdays in 2026: 7 February, 21 February, 7 March, 21 March, 2 May, and 9 May.
Rehearsals for the lead cast performing at Murwillumbah High School will be held at the school from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on Friday 7 to Sunday 9 August 2026, and again from Friday 21 to Sunday 23 August 2026.
Note: Some flexibility will be offered for students from regional or remote areas where regular travel is not practical.
Cost
School ensemble – $36 per student (includes a CSM26 performance t-shirt)
Lead cast – $220 per student (includes a CSM26 performance t-shirt)
Rehearsal material for the school ensemble
Rehearsal material will be shared with successful applicants once they are notified of their acceptance in the program. Teachers are encouraged to modify the choreography and music if they are finding it too basic or challenging for their students. This program is designed to cater for students of all ability levels. Students and teachers from primary and high schools are invited to apply.
Combined Schools Musical 2025 – Shrek the Musical JR
All Arts Unit programs are inclusive. If support is required to participate in the Combined Schools Musical, please email [email protected] so that we can assist.
