Primary and high school audition applications for the Hunter School of the Performing Arts (HSPA) located in Broadmeadow have been extended until Sunday 15 August 2021, due to recent COVID-19 restrictions.
With dozens of students and hopeful auditionees affected by recent COVID-19 restrictions, school Principal, Tracey Breese, said that HSPA, like many other businesses, had to pivot to ensure equal opportunities for students as they continue to navigate the new norm.
“With the new restrictions affecting those across the Central Coast, Greater Sydney, and now regional areas, we knew we had to extend the audition applications,” Tracey said.
“We’re hoping this extension will encourage those who may be stuck in lockdown to still apply for years 3-11 in 2022.”
Since 1998, HSPA has been the only fully selective performing arts school in New South Wales. The school delivers developmental programs with a gifted and talented focus on dance, drama, and music.
Over 1,200 students from years 3-12 across the Hunter Region and the Central Coast currently attend the school. This year isn’t the first time the school faced obstacles for their auditions.
Usually held in April and August each year, the in-person auditions in 2020 were forced to be held online due to the initial COVID-19 restrictions.
Deputy Principal of the primary school and head of auditions, Karen O’Neill said the change was a huge shock to those auditioning and the teachers assessing.
“We had to prepare extremely quickly as our auditions were set to occur only a month after we went into lockdown,” Karen said.
“It was a big change for those auditioning and our teachers, as we had to account for unexpected hurdles like poor internet connection, delayed responses, and even distorted sound for our music auditions.”
Like most businesses and schools, HSPA soon got the hang of the online auditions and had a successful year of applicants.
“We had 201 students who were successful in the auditions and joined us in 2021,” Karen said.
“We’re hoping to grow this number for our next group of auditionees, especially now that we’re back to in-person auditions and the second round has been extended.”
The auditions, which have been extended this year, are set to be held in person where students will prepare for an individual and/or group assessment.
Audition applications have been extended until Sunday 15 August 2021.
For more information about the upcoming primary and high school auditions head to the website.
IMAGE | Principal, Tracey Breese and some students for the Hunter School of the Performing Arts
