Schools Spectacular

Circus arts ensemble

Applications for this category are now closed.

The Schools Spectacular circus arts category extends an opportunity to NSW Public School students, to showcase a wide variety of circus skills. This category is open to individual students and school groups in Years 7 to 12 and is an excellent platform to showcase aerials, tumbling, and other circus specialty skills.

Audition process

Applicants involved in the circus arts category will be selected via the following process:

1. Record audition videos

Applicants are asked to present at least one piece that will allow the audition panel to assess student skills and performance quality. It is encouraged that applicants provide two contrasting pieces for the audition. Items should be no more than three minutes. 

2. Upload the videos and submit an application form

Group application information

  • The exact number selected for the group will be notified upon acceptance.
  • All students must be present in the video. Students should be rotated during the audition item so that all students are in the foreground at some stage during the video.

3. Confirmation email

Individual applicants will receive a confirmation email once the application has been submitted. The student's parent/carer and school principal will also receive an email asking them to endorse the application.

For school groups, the contact teacher will receive a confirmation email once the application has been submitted and the school principal will be notified to endorse the application.

4. Notification of results

Some groups may be asked to attend a live audition in Sydney during Term 2. All applicants will be notified of their final results by Term 2, Week 9.

Key dates for circus arts performers

Date Time Details Venue
Mon 29 Jan   Applications open: groups and individuals  
Mon 8 Apr 5:00 pm Applications close  
Fri 21 June   Application results sent

 

TBC 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Item rehearsal 1 TBC
TBC 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Item rehearsal 2

TBC

Mon 4 Nov TBC First combined rehearsal

Qudos Bank Arena

TBC 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Item rehearsal 3 TBC
TBC 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Item rehearsal 4 TBC
Wed 27 Nov TBC Second combined rehearsal - day 1

Qudos Bank Arena

Thu 28 Nov TBC Second combined rehearsal - day 2
Dress rehearsal

Qudos Bank Arena

Fri 29 Nov 11:00 am and 7:00 pm Schools Spectacular performance

Qudos Bank Arena

Sat 30 Nov 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm Schools Spectacular performance

Qudos Bank Arena

 

Cost

The costume and prop fee will be $150 per student.

Costume and prop costs will be direct debited from the applicant's 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 enquiries to schoolsspectacular@det.nsw.edu.au.

Audition tips

  • Please do not submit a video of the students in a performance (such as a school performance or presentation night or dance festival). Please submit a current video.
  • Audition videos should be filmed in a school hall or dance classroom with normal room lighting.
  • Please film your video in a room that has the window or doorway covered so that light from outside doesn’t interfere with the quality of the video.
  • Performance presentation and ability to captivate and entertain an audience will be taken into account when evaluating auditionees.
For more audition tips, visit Top tips for auditioning.

Supervision

  • Successful individual applicants will be placed into an ensemble and be under the supervision of the ensemble manager during rehearsals and performances. Parents/carers will need to support their child's transport to and from rehearsals.
  • All students at the Schools Spectacular must be supervised by a teacher at all times.
  • Schools must provide a supervising teacher for the following categories: combined dance, combined choir, specialist ensembles, Aboriginal dance ensemble, and D’Arts ensemble students.
  • Each group will require their own supervising teacher, even if they are from the same school.
  • Relief for supervising teachers is the responsibility of the school.
  • Teachers are encouraged to provide active supervision at all times and support the production team during rehearsals and show week.