Schools Spectacular

D'Arts ensemble

Applications for this category are open. Applications will close Friday 4 April.

The D’Arts ensemble is for students with a disability in Years 3 to 12 from NSW public schools. Students participate within their school group and play a significant role in showcasing their abilities in the performing arts to a wider audience. Students will work with industry professionals and support staff to create a work that develops their skills and understanding through performance.

Audition process

Schools involved in the D'Arts ensemble 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

  • Schools may nominate up to 12 students in Years 3 to 12 for their audition.
  • 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 dates for D'Arts ensemble

 Please note that all rehearsals are compulsory and students must attend the full time scheduled.

Date Time Details Venue
Fri 29 Nov   Applications open  
Fri 4 Apr 5:00 pm Applications close  
Mon 23 June   Application results sent

 

Fri 15 Aug   Number confirmation due date (student numbers, t-shirt orders and measurements)  
TBC 9:30 am – 2:30 pm Item rehearsal 1 TBC
TBC 9:30 am – 2:30 pm Item rehearsal 2

TBC

Mon 3 Nov TBC First combined rehearsal

Qudos Bank Arena

TBC 9:30 am – 2:30 pm Item rehearsal 3 TBC
TBC 9:30 am – 2:30 pm Item rehearsal 4 TBC
Wed 26 Nov TBC Second combined rehearsal – day 1

Qudos Bank Arena

Thu 27 Nov TBC Second combined rehearsal – day 2
Dress rehearsal

Qudos Bank Arena

Fri 28 Nov 11:00 am and 7:00 pm Schools Spectacular performance

Qudos Bank Arena

Sat 29 Nov 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm Schools Spectacular performance

Qudos Bank Arena

 

Cost

The costume and prop fee will be $120 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.
  • It is beneficial for the panel to see dancers in groups doing both a standing sequence as well as a travelling sequence. For students in wheelechairs, we encourage additional students and/or teachers from your school to take part in the audition to support the staging movements for these students.
  • Please film the 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.
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.