Attention: NSW Caretaker Period has commenced

The caretaker period for the NSW Election commenced on 3 March 2023.

Accordingly, no ministerial press releases or related information issued by the Government from this date will be available on this website. For copies of recently issued ministerial press releases or information on the election policies of any political party as they relate to this department/agency or its portfolio area, please go directly to the website of the relevant political party.

Drama @ The Arts Unit

Kindergarten to Year 12 students and teachers

Drama @ The Arts Unit enables students to develop confidence and extend their skills, and teachers to build knowledge and skills to engage students to explore their potential.

Industry partnerships provide creative opportunities to extend skills, while performance events showcase drama as an art form.

Local and inclusive opportunities, digital resources and event streaming provide equity and comprehensive support to deliver drama in and as an extension of the classroom.

Programs include ensembles, workshops, performances, teacher professional development and unique industry partnerships.

drama students performing

Weekly Drama Ensembles

Drama Ensembles develop high potential and gifted students in drama. Ensemble tutors are drawn from Arts Unit experts and industry professionals. Students perform in events such as the State Drama Festival. Drama ensembles rehearse at The Arts Unit in Lewisham during school term.

  • Senior Drama Ensemble –Years 10 and 11
  • Junior Drama Ensembles – Years 7 to 9
  • Primary Drama Ensembles – Years 5 and 6

Applications for students in Years 5, 6, 7 and 8 in 2023 are now open, week 6. Auditions will be held at The Arts Unit on Sunday 28 May 2023.

For more information please go to Drama Ensembles.

 

Drama Company

The 2023 Drama Company extends the best performers auditioned from public schools across NSW. Company members work with industry professionals and experienced educators to create a drama work.

Performances will be held at NIDA from
Wednesday 10 to Friday 12 May 2023 (Term 2 Week 3)

For more information please go to Drama Company.

The Wasps Drama Company 2023

 

Drama tutors

There are a number of opportunities for interested public school teachers in NSW to join our drama programs.

For further information on the various opportunities, please visit the following programs:

 

State Drama Festival

The 2022 NSW Public Schools State Drama Festival celebrates classroom drama achievements of students from Years K to 12. The Festival was held across two days from Thursday 20 October to Friday 21 October with over 800 students participating from across the state.

For more information please go to State Drama Festival.

     

    Tales from the Wild Bush

    Co-produced with NIDA, the NSW Public Schools Drama Company's 2021 performance Tales from the Wild Bush is now available to enjoy, explore and bring into your classroom.

    ​​​​For further information, see the Tales from the Wild Bush creative resource.

    Tales from the Wild Bush

     OnSTAGE

     

    OnSTAGE is a presentation of performances and projects by HSC Drama students presented by the NSW Education Standards Authority and the NSW Department of Education.

    Performances will be held at the Seymour Centre from
    Saturday 4 February to Friday 10 February 2023 (Term 1 Week 2)

    For more information please go to OnSTAGE.

    2023 OnSTAGE

     

     

     

    Digital Drama Festival 2021

    Explore the State Drama Festival 2021 through the digital showcase and celebrate creativity, resilience and storytelling through drama in 2021.

    Enjoy a combination of traditional, devised and original pieces and some brand new approaches in the form of our short film, physical theatre, monologues and puppetry ensembles who created their original works during remote learning.

    Enquiries

    The drama team
    The Arts Unit
    Email
    drama.artsunit@det.nsw.edu.au
    Phone
    02 8512 1175
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    Programs

    State Drama Festival

    Drama
    Kindergarten to Year 12
    The Festival is a 2-day celebration held at the Seymour Centre, showcasing strong drama outcomes in classrooms from across the state in a range of dramatic styles.

    Drama Company

    Drama
    Years 10 to 12
    The Drama Company extends the best performers auditioned from public schools across NSW. Company members work with industry professionals and experienced educators to create a drama work.

    Drama Ensembles

    Drama
    Years 5 to 12
    Drama Ensembles develop high potential and gifted students in drama. Students have the opportunity to perform in both live and digital events such as the State Drama Festival.

    Drama Workshops

    Drama
    Years 3 to 12
    Workshops develop student's technical and artistic talents and provide opportunities to develop high-level skills in this art form.

    Teacher opportunities and development

    Drama
    Teachers

    Professional development opportunities for drama teachers as well as extensive online resources, e-learning modules and events, catering for teachers with a wide variety of experience from beginner to advanced.

    State Drama Camp

    Drama
    Year 11
    Participants extend their skills through a series of intensive workshops led by experienced teachers and industry tutors. The emphasis at the camp is on active involvement, development of skills and enjoyment.

    OnSTAGE

    Drama
    Year 11 and 12
    OnSTAGE is a presentation of performances and projects by HSC Drama students presented by the NSW Education Standards Authority and the NSW Department of Education.
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    Related digital resources

    Creating a detective story

    Art Bites Creative Teachers Drama
    Secondary drama

    Using objects from around the house, Susan Geldart creates a detective crime mystery as a short film and narration.

    Characterisation stereotypes

    Creative Class Drama
    Years 7 to 10 drama

    Develop characterisation through role play and improvisation using stereotypes.

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    #CAPAexplosion

    Creative Class Dance Drama Music Visual arts
    Kindergarten to Year 12 dance, drama, music and visual arts
    Shine bright and go supernova with a range of activities for all students in this #CAPAexplosion.

    An approach to scriptwriting

    Art Bites Drama
    Secondary drama

    Explore how to build your ideas and concepts with the elements of drama and techniques in writing for the theatre in this series.
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    Related local arts programs

    NSW public schools

    Local Arts Program Priority Grant - Aboriginal Education

    Local arts program Public schools Dance Drama Music Visual arts
    Teachers
    NSW public schools are invited to apply for a Local Arts Program Priority Grant for 2023 to support the development and implementation of targeted arts-based projects that address the goals of the Aboriginal education strategy and policy.
    Borambola

    Riverina Drama Camp

    Local arts program Public schools Drama
    Years 8 to 11
    The camp provides students with intensive playbuilding sessions and a diverse range of performance skill-development workshops, all delivered by specialised professional tutors. 
    Parramatta | Pennant Hills I Penrith I Virtual

    CoLab Senior Drama Workshops

    Local arts program Public schools Drama
    Year 12 drama students and teachers
    Intensive workshops providing expertise to assist students to further develop and refine the skills needed to succeed in HSC group performances. 
    Armidale

    New England Junior Drama Workshops

    Local arts program Public schools Drama
    Year 7 to 10

    Intensive practical drama workshops providing junior secondary students with the opportunity to explore, develop and refine their skills in specific drama styles and techniques. 
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