Drama auditions

Students will be considered for a Drama placement at Hunter School of the Performing Arts (HSPA) through assessment of audition that includes an individual live audition and a drama group workshop.

Audition Process

Part 1: Individual Audition

Years 3–11 Live
Students should select a monologue of their own choice to perform in an individual live audition. Monologues should be dramatically interpreted in the performance and include movement, physicality, vocal variation, and use of the performance space. Each monologue should be no more than 2 minutes in duration.

Year 3–6 students will also perform a short, improvised piece with the support of the drama staff as part of their indivudual audition. Year 7–11 improvisation is incorporated into their group workshop activities.

Please note: No written support material of any kind is to be used. Costumes are not required nor recommended. Small props may be utilised if absolutely necessary. Your individual audition will be examined as a performance.

The individual audition will assess:

• Interpretation of piece, performance quality, creativity, and imagination
• Movement skills, physicality, energy, and use of space
• Vocal ability, projection, dynamics, tone, and expression
• Complexity and subtlety of characterisation
• Audience engagement and actor-audience relationship

Part 2: Group Workshop (60 minutes)

Years 3–11 Live
This workshop will focus primarily on student-generated performance in Drama.

Students will participate in a group workshop that will incorporate activities looking at collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical reflection. Activities may also include movement, characterisation, improvisation, script and/or group devised piece, students will work with other students throughout the workshop and are encouraged to show their teamwork skills throughout.

Students will be led by Drama Staff through a range of drama games and activities to assess:

• Commitment, Respect and Focus - when working individually, as a group and when responding to direction
• Collaboration and Communication - accepting and negotiating ideas with others
• Creativity - willingness to take creative risks and use imagination
• Characterisation - development and conviction of role and character
• Performance skills - physicality and movement dynamics, vocal ability and timing
• Improvisation skills - innovative ideas and acceptance and extension of offers

Clothing

Students should wear comfortable clothing which is easy to move in. This may include items such as track suits, T-shirts, jeans, sloppy-joes. Footwear should be joggers or comfortable shoes. Students should not audition in school uniform or costume for either the video monologue or group workshop.

Changes to process

Changes may occur to the audition process above, dependent upon circumstances out of our control at the time of auditions. Changes could include, but are not limited to, video submission and/or online live components. If and when required, details of changes will be communicated to parents.

Performing Arts Curriculum Agreement

Upon accepting an offer of enrolment at our school, you acknowledge and accept our performing arts curriculum. Each new student in Years 3-8 is required to continue with their auditioned performing arts subject until Year 10, unless they successfully complete a change of line audition after two consecutive years of enrolment at HSPA. Students in Years 9-11 are expected to continue with their auditioned performing arts subject until Year 12. Students in Years 8-12 have the opportunity to study more than one performing arts subject. All students are expected to fully engage with ensemble and performing arts opportunities. Students not actively taking advantage of the performance and ensemble opportunities offered at HSPA may be required to seek enrolment at their local school, as their position at HSPA could be offered to students on our waiting list.

Why enrol at HSPA for Drama?

Opportunities

• REACH - a period a week with industry professionals
• Semester Showcase - each semester all Drama students perform in the state of the art Hunter Theatre
• Primary Production
• Junior Production
• Senior Production
• Whole school musical
• Starstruck
• Regional and State performances
• Sharp Short Festival - playwrighting and performing competition
• Sport for Jove Shakespeare Festival
• Theatresports competition
• Industry professional workshops
• Interstate/International Drama excursions
• Year 6-10 Drama Camp
• Year 12 Drama Camp
• Attendance at live theatre events