Auditions

Audition registration for Years 7 and 11 2027.

Auditions are held annually for Years 7 and 11 for the following year.

To enrol in the Performing Arts stream at Newtown High School of the Performing Arts, applicants must be successful in an audition.

ALL audition applicants, both from Year 6 into Year 7 and Year 10 into Year 11, must apply using the Online Audition Application Form on the school’s website. 

Applicants need to upload the following on the application form:

• Profile video
• Audition video(s)
• A recent photo (passport sized)
• School reports
• One of the following:
  • Australian birth certificate
  • Australian Citizen certificate or
  • Copy of visa granting 'Permanent Resident Status' in Australia.

It is recommended that applicants begin preparing these videos and documents early, ideally as soon as January 2026, so they are ready to upload once applications open.

Online audition application registrations for entry into Year 7 or Year 11 2026 open in the first week of February 2026.

The closing date and time for submission of all application materials, including videos, photos, reports, poof of Australian citizenship and payment, is 5:00pm on Friday 1 May 2026.

No further audition registrations will be accepted after the closing date.

NB:  Since all applications are reviewed for clarity before panel assessment, it is strongly advised not to wait until the last minute to submit. Early submission will allow time to fix any problems or missing information.

Who can apply for an audition?

To be eligible to apply, applicants must be Australian Citizens or holders of a visa granting 'Permanent Resident Status' in Australia.

Applicants can audition in one or two of the three performing arts disciplines (Dance, Drama and Music) offered at our school.

Audition Conditions

Due to the large number of applicants who audition each year, the following conditions apply:

1. Each student's audition is judged on its own merits on how well they perform. This means that the decisions are based strictly on the standard of each audition.
2. The examiner's decision is final and with no appeal permitted except on procedural grounds.  Appeals are only possible if there is a concern regarding the audition procedure, not on the result itself.
3. Details, feedback or breakdowns of individual performances in their audition will not be disclosed to applicants. 

Audition Process

ROUND 1:    Online Audition Application reviewed by Panels

ROUND 2: Students who pass the Round 1 online audition will be invited to participate in a live workshop audition for Round 2.

• The live workshop auditions will take place between Weeks 9 and 10 of Term 2 in 2026.

• The school will assign specific dates to each student for their discipline workshop (Dance, Drama, or Music).

• Parents and carers will be informed of these dates in a timely manner.

• It is important that students and families ensure availability during this date window, as rescheduling will NOT be possible.

Round 1

Requirements

It is important to read all the information before you begin your application and ensure that you have all the required videos along with the following documents ready to be uploaded with the application:

1. Profile Video (preferred file format MP4) 
2. Performance Video/s 
3. Applicant's Photo (head and shoulder e.g. similar to passport photo) in as .jpeg format
4. One of the following:
   1. Australian birth certificate
   2. Australian Citizen certificate or
   3. Copy of visa granting 'Permanent Resident Status' in Australia.
5. Most recent School Report (Semester 2 2025 Report) or Term 1 2026 (if available)
6. Any document/s related to Special Provisions (only if applicable)

Profile Video

For your brief introduction video (approximately 2 - 2.5 minutes), here are some tips to help the audition panel get to know the applicant better:

• Start by stating your full name and age.
• Briefly share your background or interests related to the discipline you are applying for.
• Mention any relevant experience, training, or achievements.
• Talk about why you are passionate about this field and what motivates you.
• Highlight any unique qualities or skills that make you stand out as an applicant.
• Keep your tone natural, confident, and engaging.

Be sure to check the online application form and any specific discipline requirements for additional guidance on what to include in your introduction.

Performance Video/s

Summary and some helpful tips to guide you:

• You must upload separate performance video(s) depending on whether you are applying for one or two audition disciplines.
• Each panel will only view up to 2 minutes of each video, so it’s important to select or edit your performance to effectively showcase a strong range of your technical and expressive skills within that timeframe.
• Ideally, your performance video should be close to but not necessarily exceed 2 minutes to give the panel the best impression.
• Make sure to review the specific requirements for each discipline in the online application form to tailor your videos accordingly.

Please read the descriptions and requirements for each discipline by selecting from the menu under auditions or by clicking on the discipline/s below:

DANCE  DRAMA  MUSIC

A confirmation email will be sent once the audition application has been submitted with all videos, photo and documents uploaded correctly and below audition application fee being paid. The fee covers administration, marking/ranking and teacher relief costs.

The audition application fees are:

• $125 for one audition preference
• $150 for two audition preferences

If your child is successful in the Round 1 Video Auditions, you will be contacted by email in mid Term 2, 2026 with the details (date and time) for the Second Round 2 LIVE Audition.

• Round 2 LIVE Auditions will be held in the last two weeks of Term 2, 2026.
• All audition results will be emailed in Week 1-3 of Term 3, 2026.

Round 2

Second Round Live Audition Process

This information applies only if your child progresses from the First Round Video Audition to Round 2.

• If your child is successful in the First Round, you will receive an email in mid Term 2, 2026, with the date and time of the Second Round LIVE Audition.
• The Second Round LIVE Audition will occur during the last two weeks of Term 2, 2026.
• Results for the auditions will be emailed between Week 1 and Week 3 of Term 3, 2026.

Please keep this timeline in mind if your child advances to the second round.

Audition

Details of Round 2 to help applicants and their families prepare:

1. Location:
   Registration and auditions take place at the Studio Theatre, Newtown High School of the Performing Arts, Newman Street, Newtown.
2. Registration and Escort:
   Applicants will register on arrival and be escorted as a group to their audition workshop.
3. Duration of Workshop:
   The audition workshop will last approximately 2 to 2.5 hours.
4. Dress and Equipment Requirements:
   • Dance applicants: Dress in the same attire worn in your audition video.
   • Music applicants: Bring your own instruments except if auditioning on piano, drum kit, or percussion.
     • Electric guitarists and bass guitarists must bring their own lead cables.
     • Percussionists and drum kit players should bring their own mallets and drumsticks.
     • Prepare a different 2-minute music piece from what you submitted in Round 1.
   • Drama applicants: Comfortable attire is recommended.
5. Collection point of Round 2 Workshop:
   After the audition, applicants are to be collected from the Studio Theatre at Newman Street, Newtown.

Offers

Offers for a placement in either Dance, Drama or Music in Year 7 or Year 11 2027 will be emailed early in Term 3 2026.

Please Note:

Newtown High School of the Performing Arts does not have set open days.

However, you can register for a school tour through the link available on the school’s website if you want to visit and learn more about the school.