Enquiries
Student co-hosts
Applications for this category are now closed.
This application is for students who wish to be considered for Arena Co-host, Backstage Co-host and SpecFest Co-host.
The students selected for these roles will work alongside the professional hosts and production team to manage the hosting duties that will occur across all aspects of the event. This category is open to students from Years 10 to 12 who attend a NSW Public School. The student co-hosts will demonstrate confidence in the delivery of information to an audience for a large scale event, be bright, bubbly and entertaining, work well in front of a camera and in front of a live interactive audience and engage in scripted and spontaneous banter with other key artists. These students will play a pivotal role in representing the Department in this high profile public setting. The audition process will evaluate the student's hosting skills and determine the best setting for them to showcase their potential.
On this page
Audition process
Students applying to be a Student Co-host will be selected via the following process:
- 1. Application
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Film your two application videos
Audition video 1 requirements
- A 1 minute video introducing yourself, including a brief explanation of why you’d like to be a student co-host.
Audition video 2 requirements
- Record yourself delivering the audition script.
- Consider pacing, intonation, camera framing, delivery, energy, and connection.
- There is capacity for you to add your personality and your own interpretation by modifying the script.
Submit your application
Complete the application form and upload a headshot and your two videos. Students will receive a confirmation email once the application has been submitted. The student's school principal will also receive an email asking them to endorse the application. Please note, that endorsement from the student's principal and family/carer is required to be considered for the Schools Spectacular student co-host role.
Notification of results
You will receive notification of your results by Monday 12 May indicating whether or not you'll be progressing to the live audition round.
- 2. Live audition round
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If you successfully progress to the live audition round, you will be required to attend a workshop.
At the workshop, you will hear from guest speakers, develop your interview skills and practise your delivery in front of a camera in a professional television setting with the support of the production team. The day will conclude with a recording of an audition video to be used as a part of your assessment.
- 3. Confirmation
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Results of the Live Audition round will be sent to students, families, and their schools by Monday 23 June.
Key dates for student co-host
Student co-hosts will only be required to attend rehearsal days when they are scheduled to rehearse. It will only be a select number of days listed below, not the full list.
The specific dates and times will be communicated to successful applicants once they are confirmed and their role is established.
| Date | Time | Details | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue 19 Mar | Applications open | ||
| Fri 11 Apr | 5:00 pm | Applications close | |
| TBC | 9:30 am – 3:00 pm | Live audition round | TBC |
| TBC | TBC | Launch event | Telstra Sydney |
| Mon 21 Jul | 8:30 am – 4:00 pm | Program photos, initial styling, and well-being day | The Arts Unit |
| Fri 3 Oct | 8:30 am – 4:00 pm | Holiday week rehearsal showcase | |
| Fri 24 Oct | 8:30 am – 4:00 pm | Styling day | |
| Sun 2 Nov | 8:30 am – 4:00 pm | Featured artist rehearsal | |
| Wed 5 Nov | TBC | First combined rehearsal | |
| Tues 12 Nov | 8:30 am – 4:00 pm | Featured artist direction day 1 | Fairfield RSL |
| Wed 13 Nov | 8:30 am – 4:00 pm | Featured artist direction day 2 | Fairfield RSL |
| Thu 14 Nov | 8:30 am – 4:00 pm | Featured artist direction day 3 | Fairfield RSL |
| Tues 25 Nov | TBC | Show week sound checks | |
| Wed 26 Nov | TBC | Second combined rehearsal day 1 | |
| Thu 27 Nov | TBC | Second combined rehearsal day 2 Dress rehearsal |
|
| Fri 28 Nov | 11:00 am and 7:00 pm | Schools Spectacular performance | |
| Sat 29 Nov | 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm | Schools Spectacular performance |
Cost
The costume and prop fee will be $120 per student.
Costume and prop costs will be direct debited from your school. Students will need to pay the costume and prop fee directly to their school once they are notified of their acceptance into the production.
Some assistance may be available for students with financial hardship in extenuating circumstances. Following discussions with the school, if students require further support, please email [email protected] to enquire.
Audition tips
- Make sure the sound balance is correct. It is critical that the person auditioning can be clearly heard.
- Students should discuss and review their audition video with their school teacher prior to submitting it.
- Record your audition in a room with a neutral acoustic. The school hall or auditorium will often have too much echo to record a video.
- Performance presentation and ability to captivate and entertain an audience will be taken into account when evaluating auditionees.
- Wear appropriate hosting attire (smart-casual).
- Please film your video in landscape mode, ensuring that we can see you from the waist up as per common TV practice.
For more audition tips, visit Top tips for auditioning.
