Festival organisation
Festival organisation
Embedded Files
Student participation fee
Student participation fee
Schools will be charged a participation fee of $10 per student entering the Festival. Schools will be required to indicate on their acceptance form the number of students in their item and schools will be debited from school accounts through the LMBR system in Term 3. Please ensure your SAM is aware of this fee and the impending debit.
Item blurb
Item blurb
Please write a blurb (up to 3 sentences) about your item for the compere to read in the blackout while the stage is being set for your item.
Eg. The sea is a mysterious and everchanging part of our world. On the floor of the ocean - crabs, fish, lobsters and mermaids live in harmony. Join the students from ____ public school as they take you to the wonderful world "Under The Sea".
This is included in the Form 4: Item blurb & music info to be submitted by Wednesday 29 March 2026.
Audition video
Audition video
Selection for the program will be via submitting your video link in Form 2: Audition video link & item title
Minimum 1.5 minute video - primary schools
Minimum 2 minutes video - secondary schools
Note - Continue to play out the entire soundtrack to the end of the dance (with no movement). This will allow the committee to hear the music you are using to assist in the programming.
The choreography should show a strong concept, and appropriate choice of skills to support students' technique and performance quality. Movement should be set considering your spatial design and organised so that not all movement is performed in unison.
Ensure you have done the following before submitting your video -
The name of your item must be included on this form and it cannot be changed after this form has been submitted
The dance is filmed from the front, with every student visible within the camera frame. The dance is not filmed too far away, preventing detail of movement from being viewed
Any props being used must be shown as part of the choreography
One item per link
View your footage before uploading
Due to programming organisation, late submissions will not be accepted into the Festival.
Notification of inclusion in the festival
Notification of inclusion in the festival
The contact teacher will be notified via email of inclusion in the festival in Term 1 Week 10 and written audition feedback will be provided. A second video may be requested if deemed necessary by the festival committee. Schools that do not submit this may risk exclusion from the festival.
Programming details will be provided in the Term 1 school holidays. Changes cannot be made to the program once it is finalised by the committee. Schools need to indicate any programming preferences on the initial application form.
Student participation and publicity consent deed
Student participation and publicity consent deed
For your item to be eligible, it is essential that all of your students complete the Student participation and publicity consent deed. Print a copy to distribute to each student and retain it at your school.
Once you have received these back from your students, submit Form 7 - Student list, publicity consent and show week supervisor details.
During the Festival, schools with confirmed publicity consent may be photographed for our Facebook or Instagram pages, and local newspapers or filmed for local television stations.
Please note - that any students without permission to publish must be managed accordingly by the school and supervising staff.
Principal's acknowledgement of supervisors
Principal's acknowledgement of supervisors
All festival week supervisors must have a WWCC, be listed on the form and be approved by the principal. Only those listed on Form 7 - Student List, Publicity Consent and Show Week Supervisor Details will be permitted entry backstage at the IPAC.
In line with DoE guidelines, schools must adhere to a ration of 1:20 for supervision requirements. Two staff members must be in attendance for each primary school item during technical rehearsals.
Student participation rolls
Student participation rolls
To ensure evacuation procedures are met, staff must maintain a student participation roll at all times, which will be made available as required. Staff must ensure that student and supervising adult numbers are accurately entered on arrival and departure of the IPAC.
T-Shirt orders and payment
T-Shirt orders and payment
A festival t-shirt is available for students, staff and/or parents for $25. This design will be distributed to schools and available to view on our Facebook page. We encourage all participants to purchase this great memento of their inclusion in the dance festival.
To order, please collate your school's order requirements and complete Form 6 - t-shirt order by Term 2 week 2, Wednesday 29 April.
Schools are to collect student t-shirt fees and to receipt the sale of the t-shirts into LMBR in your school system for the whole amount, i.e if t-shirts are $25 including GST - receipt of the whole $25 into LMBR dance festival t-shirt account journal out.
The total amount will then be withdrawn from your school's LMBR account by journal debit in Term 3. Please ensure that your SAM is aware of this.
Your t-shirts will be distributed to you at the IPAC on your scheduled rehearsal day during festival week.
Ticket sales
Ticket sales
Tickets for the South Coast Dance Festival will be made available in Term 2 Week 2 through the IPAC Box Office - 02 4226 3366 or via their website -
https://merrigong.com.au/whats-on/
Ticket prices for 2026 are:
General Admission - $25 for each show
No group or individual may enter the auditorium without a ticket. Performers may wish to purchase a ticket to view a show they are not performing in. They must not wear their costume whilst in the theatre.
Risk management
Risk management
The dance festival committee undertakes a risk management plan in consultation with the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre (IPAC). A copy of the plan will be provided to schools in Term 2 Week 3.
Schools are required to complete their own school risk assessment in accordance with their school's risk management and excursion Policy.
South Coast Dance Festival
https://artsunit.nsw.edu.au/local-arts-programs/south-coast-dance-festival
Third party content attributions
Third party content attributions
Image 1 and 2- RG Photography
Image 3 - South Coast Dance Festival committee
Image 4 and 5 - RG Photography
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