Festival dates

Tuesday 26 May to Friday 29 May 2026  

(Term 2 Wk 6)

Participation fee

Schools will be charged a participation fee of $10 per student entering the Festival.

Venue

Illawarra Performing Arts Centre (IPAC)

Burelli Street, Wollongong

Rehearsals and performances

Tuesday 26 May

Rehearsals - as advised by the committee (8:00 am - 5:00 pm)

Evening show 1 (6:00 pm - 7:15 pm)

Evening show 2 (8:00 pm - 9:15 pm)

Wednesday 27 May

Rehearsals - as advised by the committee (8:00 am - 5:00 pm)

Evening show 3 (6:00 pm - 7:15 pm)

Evening show 4 (8:00 pm - 9:15 pm)

Thursday 28 May

Rehearsals - as advised by the committee (8:00 am - 5:00 pm)

Evening show 5 (6:00 pm - 7:15 pm)

Evening show 6 (8:00 pm - 9:15 pm)

Friday 29 May

Closed performance A (8:30 am - 11:00 am)

Closed performance B (12:00 pm - 2:30 pm)

Evening show 7 (6:00 pm - 7:15 pm)

Evening show 8 (8:00 pm - 9:15 pm)

Ticketing

Tickets can be purchased from Merrigong Theatre Company in Term 2 of Week 2.

Performances

Performances are at the IMB Theatre of the Ilawarra Performing Arts Centre, Burelli Street, Wollongong.

Schedule

The Dance Festival program runs two performances each evening. You will be assigned to a number of shows across the festival, each one running for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes in length, with no interval. Your item will be offered two public performances and one closed performance. Opportunities for additional performances will be at the discretion of the committee. Other considerations should be emailed to the Dance Festival Coordinator, Louise Morgan,  at the time of nomination - louise.morgan3@det.nsw.edu.au 

Closed performance program

The closed performance programs are a great opportunity for students to watch other school items and for teachers to participate in professional development in dance. All students will have the opportunity to perform in a closed performance on Friday 29 May 2026. 

Please notify Festival Coordinator, upon nomination if your school is unable to attend a closed performance. Teachers may attend both closed performances for their personal professional development after notifying the backstage manager via email in advance.

Staffing

Students will, at all times, be under the duty of care of their teacher/s throughout the festival.   Principals will be required to sign off on all staff and parent volunteers assisting backstage to ensure they meet Department guidelines for Working With Children Checks and mandatory training.

Paid and volunteer Working With Children Checks may be obtained from Service NSW or by visiting their website- https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-for-a-working-with-children-check