Drama @ The Arts Unit

Kindergarten to Year 12 students and teachers

Drama @ The Arts Unit enables students to develop confidence and extend their skills, and teachers to build knowledge and skills to engage students to explore their potential.

Industry partnerships provide creative opportunities to extend skills, while performance events showcase drama as an art form.

Local and inclusive opportunities, digital resources and event streaming provide equity and comprehensive support to deliver drama in and as an extension of the classroom.

Programs include ensembles, workshops, performances, teacher professional development and unique industry partnerships.

drama students performing

State Drama Festival

The 2022 NSW Public Schools State Drama Festival celebrates classroom drama achievements of students from Years K to 12.  The Festival runs across two days from Thursday 20 October to Friday 21 October with over 800 students participating from across the state.

For more information please see the State Drama Festival page.

State Drama Festival cat

Drama tutors

There are a number of opportunities for interested public school teachers in NSW to join our drama programs.

For further information on the various opportunities, please visit the following programs:

 

State Drama Ensemble

The 2022 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. Workshops are held during school holidays and students develop a work for performance at the State Drama Festival in October.

For more information please see the State Drama Ensemble page.

Weekly Drama Ensembles

Drama Ensembles develop high potential and gifted students in drama. Ensemble tutors are drawn from Arts Unit experts and industry professionals. Students perform in events such as the State Drama Festival.

  • Senior Drama Ensembles - Years 10 and 11
  • Junior Drama Ensembles - Years 7 to 9
  • Primary Drama Ensembles - Years 5 and 6

Drama ensembles rehearse at The Arts Unit in Lewisham during school term.  For more information please see the Drama Ensembles page.

 

    Tales from the Wild Bush

    Co-produced with NIDA, the NSW Public Schools Drama Company's 2021 performance Tales from the Wild Bush is now available to enjoy, explore and bring into your classroom.

    ​​​​For further information, see the Tales from the Wild Bush creative resource.

    Tales from the Wild Bush

    Digital Drama Festival 2021

    Explore the State Drama Festival 2021 through the digital showcase and celebrate creativity, resilience and storytelling through drama in 2021.

    Enjoy a combination of traditional, devised and original pieces and some brand new approaches in the form of our short film, physical theatre, monologues and puppetry ensembles who created their original works during remote learning.

    Enquiries

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

    State Drama Festival

    Drama
    Kindergarten to Year 12
    The Festival is a 2-day celebration held at the Seymour Centre, showcasing strong drama outcomes in classrooms from across the state in a range of dramatic styles.

    Drama Company

    Drama
    Years 7 to 12
    The Drama Company extends the best performers auditioned from public schools across NSW. Company members work with industry professionals and experienced educators to create a drama work.

    Drama Ensembles

    Drama
    Years 5 to 12
    Drama Ensembles develop high potential and gifted students in drama. Students have the opportunity to perform in both live and digital events such as the State Drama Festival.

    Drama Workshops

    Drama
    Years 3 to 12
    Workshops develop student's technical and artistic talents and provide opportunities to develop high-level skills in this art form.

    Teacher opportunities and development

    Drama
    Teachers

    Professional development opportunities for drama teachers as well as extensive online resources, e-learning modules and events, catering for teachers with a wide variety of experience from beginner to advanced.

    State Drama Camp

    Drama
    Year 11
    Participants extend their skills through a series of intensive workshops led by experienced teachers and industry tutors. The emphasis at the camp is on active involvement, development of skills and enjoyment.

    OnSTAGE

    Drama
    Year 11 and 12
    OnSTAGE is a presentation of performances and projects by HSC Drama students presented by the NSW Education Standards Authority and the NSW Department of Education.
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    Related digital resources

    State Drama Festival 2021 – Virtual

    Creative Resource Drama
    Celebrate creativity, resilience and storytelling through drama in 2021

    Drama for inclusivity

    Creative Teachers Drama
    Teachers
    Simple and beneficial strategies that support teachers to enhance learning for all students and build a safer environment for inclusivity.

    Characterisation

    Art Bites Creative Teachers Drama
    Secondary drama

    A theoretical and practical approach to developing characters in performance.

    Connections Showcase 2021

    Creative Resource Dance Drama Music Visual arts
    Highlights work produced by the amazing talents and abilities of schools across the state, in response to the theme of ‘Found objects.’
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    Related local arts programs

    Maitland / Port Stephens

    Hunter Creative Arts Camp

    Local arts program Public schools Dance Drama Music Visual arts
    Year 5 and 6
    The camp is aimed at Year 5 and 6 students with a passion for dance, drama, music and visual arts. The camp workshops give students access to industry professionals to expands their skills and experiences in the creative and performing arts.
    Orange

    Western NSW Drama Senior Study Day

    Local arts program Public schools Drama
    Year 11 and 12 drama students and teachers
    An opportunity for HSC drama students to workshop their group performance as well as gain feedback and input into their individual project from experienced HSC markers.
    Lennox Head

    North Coast Creative Arts Camp

    Local arts program Public schools Dance Drama Music Visual arts
    Years 4 to 6
    This 5 day camp provides students with the opportunity to extend their skills and knowledge in creative arts offering quality extension activities that are not usually available in the classroom.
    Newcastle

    Hunter Primary Drama Festival

    Local arts program Public schools Drama
    Kindergarten to Year 6
    A showcase of drama works from schools across the Hunter and Central Coast enabling students to build knowledge, skills and understanding of performing and appreciating drama.
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