NSW Public Schools State Dance Company 2026 – application

Region: Metro, Metropolitan North, Metropolitan South
Years 4 to 12
Webform Application Ensemble Dance
Application closing date

The NSW Public Schools State Dance Company program develop high-level skills in dance technique, composition and performance. Training is aligned to syllabus outcomes and company students perform at the State Dance Festival and Schools Spectacular each year.

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Enquiries
The dance team
The Arts Unit
[email protected]
0434 567 414
Related programs
NSW Public Schools State Dance Company

Audition process

  1. Students will need to watch the videos below and learn the movement.
  2. Students are encouraged to modify the movement so that it is appropriate for their technical ability. Students may also select an alternate music track to perform the movement with to accommodate changes in tempo. 
  3. Parents/students must complete the application form below.
  4. Students will need to attach two video links to the application form. 
    • A video of the contemporary choreography audition sequence 
    • A video of the applicant performing a contemporary, lyrical or jazz dance (2 minutes minimum)
  5. Upload a headshot image (such as a school photo).

To generate video links for your audition videos, please refer to the section How to produce your video audition in the Audition tips for dance resource.

Parents/students will be informed of their audition result by Friday 10 April 2026.

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Auditions choreography

Auditions choreography (no music)

Duration: 2:25

 

Auditions choreography (with music)

Duration: 0:51

 
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About the companies

The NSW Public Schools State Dance Company program aims to foster the development of talented students from Years 4 to 12 in dance from public schools across NSW. Students train and rehearse dance works during 4 intensive workshops in Sydney over the year.

  • Years 7 to 12 – two workshop-based companies
  • Years 4 to 6 – one workshop-based company
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Schedule

Students train and rehearse dance works in Sydney in preparation for performing at the State Dance Festival in September and Schools Spectacular in November. 

  • Intensive 1 – Thursday 21 and Friday 22 May 2026 at Tanya Pearson Academy, St Leonards
    Comprehensive styles-based workshop with various tutors and intensive choreographic tasks to develop their work for the State Dance Festival.
  • Intensive 2 – Monday 27 July to Friday 31 July 2026 at Tanya Pearson Academy, St Leonards
    Intensive choreographic tasks where students will rehearse their work to perform for the State Dance Festival.
  • Intensive 3 – Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 September 2026 at DUTI Studios, Newtown
    Rehearsals for the State Dance Festival.
  • Intensive 4 – October/November at Sydney Olympic Park
    Rehearsals for the Schools Spectacular (dates TBC).

Performance commitments

  • State Dance Festival at Seymour Centre – Thursday 17 and Friday 18 September 2026
  • Schools Spectacular at Qudos Bank Arena – Friday 27 and Saturday 28 November 2026
  • Additional opportunities throughout the year as they arise
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What happens next?

The audition panel will review the applications after the closing date. Parents and students will be emailed about the outcome of the audition after Friday 10 April 2026.

Audition support resources

Audition tips for dance

Creative Resource Dance

What makes a great dance audition? Here are our top tips.
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Apply for the companies

Privacy notice

The information requested in this note is being collected by the NSW Department of Education. The department will use the information in connection with your child’s participation in this event for the following purposes:

  1. administration;
  2. communication with parents/carers; and
  3. for the health, safety and welfare of your child.

The department might share the information requested in this note with health care providers in the event that your child requires urgent medical attention. All personal information will be held securely and disposed of securely when no longer needed.

You have the right to access and correct the information you provide in this note. If you wish to do so, please contact The Arts Unit on 02 8512 1100 Locked Bag 1500, Petersham NSW 2049 

Specific privacy information

The department will use information about your child’s

  • Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status for the purpose of implementing its Aboriginal Education Policy.
  • Identified additional support information to ensure appropriate learning adjustments are in place.

The provision of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander status or gender status is voluntary, and not providing either of them will not impact on your child’s participation. All other additional support information requested in this form is voluntary.

Important information

In the event of injury, no personal injury insurance cover is provided by the NSW Department of Education for students in relation to school sporting activities, physical education lessons or any other school activity. The department’s public liability cover is fault-based and limited to breaches by the department of its duty of care to students that may result in claims for compensation.

Parents/carers are advised to assess the level and extent of their child’s involvement in the activity when deciding whether additional insurance cover is required prior to their child’s involvement in the program. Personal accident insurance cover is available through normal retail insurance outlets.

Student details

Please include a headshot or school photo
One file only.
16 MB limit.
Allowed types: gif, jpg, jpeg, png.

Parent / guardian details

Please enter a valid mobile number in the following format 04xx-xxx-xxx

Dance ensembles

Dance experience

In what styles of dance are you trained?
You can select more than one style.
Please provide a BRIEF summary of your previous dance experience, including studio/school groups, performances, workshops etc.
Please include any notes, ie injury or a clash of dates, to help assist the Dance Team in planning for the Selection Panel.

Student background information

Are you of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin?
Is a language other than English spoken at home
Is support required for the student due to a disability?
Please select from this list.
Are any educational modifications required to meet learning needs?
Are any other special provisions required?

Video applications

Please refer to the Audition tips for dance resource for instructions on uploading your video files to YouTube and Vimeo.
Please set password to STATE25

Permissions

I understand that I must gain approval from a parent/guardian as well as my school principal to participate in the 2025 NSW public schools dance ensembles program should I be successful in my audition. 
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