NSW Public Schools State Drama Ensemble
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 State Drama Festival in October. Places in this ensemble are open to high potential and motivated students currently attending a NSW public school.
Applications for 2026 will open in Term 3.
On this page
Performance opportunities
Students will perform at the at the State Drama Festival held at the Seymour Centre in Chippendale and may be digitally recorded.
For all other information about the program, please visit the student information pack.
Dates
Devising workshops
Monday 28 September to Friday 2 October 2026 (first week of the school holidays)
Rehearsals run from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm daily.
Final rehearsal, technical rehearsal and performances
Wednesday 21 to Friday 23 October 2026. Exact times to be confirmed.
Locations
Rehearsals will take place at The Arts Unit, Lewisham.
Performances will take place at The Seymour Centre, Chippendale.
Fees
To ensure that the NSW Public Schools Drama Ensembles can operate under changing educational and economic structures, we are required to charge a participation fee. This subsidised payment partly covers expert tuition, administration, venue costs and costume requirements. Students will need to cover the cost of their own travel and/or accommodation if needed. All prices include GST.
The Arts Unit, Lewisham:
- $350 - metro and non-metro schools
- $250 - department identified rural and remote schools
Check the rural and remote schools (DOCX, 74.07KB) list for subsidy eligibility. Please note that if you attend a school in a border town that is close to a major city centre in another state, your school may not appear on this list. If this is the case, please reach out to [email protected] to check your eligibility.
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.
