Enquiries
Combined dance primary
Applications for this category are now closed.
A combined dance item involves groups of students from various NSW Public Schools coming together to perform the work of a selected team of choreographers. The schools selected for this category make up the spectacular mass dance items performed on the arena floor. Teachers are responsible for rehearsing set choreography and formations, which will be taught at combined rehearsals with additional support provided through online video links where necessary.
Audition process
Schools involved in the primary combined dance category will be selected via the following process:
1. Record video audition
Schools are asked to present a dance or movement sequence that will allow the audition panel to assess student movement ability, performance quality, and skills in spatial awareness. Items should be no more than 1 minute and 30 seconds in length.
2. Upload the video and submit an application form
- The Schools Spectacular primary combined dance is divided into two separate categories:
- Kindergarten to Year 2
- Years 3 to 6
- Schools may nominate up to 16 students for their audition. Schools with high-quality dance programs may nominate a maximum of 24 students. Only the number of students present in the video will be considered.
- The entire group may not be selected. 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.
- Audition videos need to be uploaded to YouTube and the video link submitted with the application form. For assistance with uploading your video, please refer to the How to upload a video to YouTube guide.
3. Confirmation email
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
All applicants will be notified of their results by Term 2, Week 9.
Key date for combined dance primary
Date | Time | Details | Venue |
---|---|---|---|
Mon 29 Jan | Applications open | ||
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 | |
TBC | 9:00 am – 3:00 pm | Item rehearsal 3 | TBC |
Wed 27 Nov |
TBC |
Second combined rehearsal – day 1 | |
Thu 28 Nov | TBC | Second combined rehearsal – day 2 Dress rehearsal |
|
Fri 29 Nov | 11:00 am and 7:00 pm | Schools Spectacular performance | |
Sat 30 Nov | 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm | Schools Spectacular performance |
Cost
The costume and prop fee will be $150 per student.
Costume costs will be direct debited from the school. Students will need to pay the costume fee directly to their school once they are notified of their acceptance into the production.
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.
- Where possible, students should be dressed in form-fitting dance clothes – not school uniforms or sports uniforms.
- Where possible, students should either dance in bare feet or wear proper dance shoes or sneakers – not dance in school shoes.
- It is beneficial for the panel to see dancers in groups doing both a standing sequence as well as a travelling sequence.
- Please film your video in a room with the window or doorway covered so that light from outside doesn’t interfere with the quality of the video.
For more audition tips, visit Top tips for auditioning.
Supervision
- 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.