NSW Public Schools State Drama Ensemble

Years 9 to 11

An intensive program for high potential and gifted drama students from NSW public schools. Workshops are held during school holidays and students develop a work for performance at the NSW Arts Unit Drama Festival in October.

The NSW Public Schools State Drama Ensemble provides students from Years 9 to 11 with the opportunity to develop a work for performance at the NSW Arts Unit Drama Festival in October. Places in this ensemble are open to talented students currently attending a NSW public school.
This photo captures a group of Year 9-11 students performing at the 2024 Drama Ensembles Festival. The students are dressed in suit attire, with exaggerated facial expressions, surrounding a student holding a birthday cake. Photo credit: Anna Warr

Applications for 2025 will open in Term 2. 

Dates

Monday 29 September to Friday 3 October 2025 (school holidays)

Venue

The Arts Unit, Lewisham

Performance opportunities

Students will perform at the at the NSW Arts Unit Drama Festival held at the Seymour Centre in Chippendale and may be digitally recorded.

The festival will take place on Monday 20 and Friday 24 October.

Fees

The ensemble fees cover the hire of regular tutors and industry professionals for intensive workshop, an ensemble t-shirt, and the sourcing and supply of costumes for the State Drama Festival. Students will need to cover the cost of their own travel and/or accommodation if needed. All prices include GST:

  • metropolitan/non-metro: TBC
  • rural and remote: TBC

These are the confirmed fees for the new financial year.

Check the rural and remote schools (DOCX, 74.07KB) list for subsidy eligibility. 

Workshops

There are 2 intensive compulsory devising workshops held at The Arts Unit in Lewisham to develop the work.

  1. Term 3: school holidays. Monday 29 September to Friday 3 October from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
  2. Term 4: TBC

Student requirements

  • Priority will be given to students from rural and remote schools.
  • Students in metropolitan schools who do not currently attend a weekly drama ensemble will also be able to audition.
  • This is not a residential program, students will be required to provide their own accommodation and transport.

Enquiries

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

Related digital resources

Top tips for auditioning

Art Bites Dance Drama Music
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Use these top tips, delivered by students for students, to help you prepare for your next audition.

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Creative Resource Drama
Students from the NSW Public Schools Drama Company interviewed Dean Carey, author of The Actor's Audition Manual and the Artistic Director of the Actors Centre Australia, to get his advice on what makes a great drama audition.

Drama warm-ups for performance

Art Bites Drama
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Warm up the body and voice with some quick and easy solo exercises to get you ready for performance.

Tune in and tune up

Creative Class Drama
Years 7 and 8 drama

Discover drama warm-up games that will strengthen you vocally, physically and imaginatively.
More digital resources Back to the top

All Arts Unit programs are inclusive. If support is required to participate in the NSW Public Schools State Drama Ensemble, please email [email protected] so that we can assist.