Young Professionals

Perform Australia's Young Professionals Program

A unique opportunity for performers in Years 11-12 in Canberra

Why wait till you finish school to start your passion? If you're a performer with promise, you can study acting or musical theatre full-time with Perform Australia for Year 11 and 12 as part of our Young Professionals Program.

You'll then be ready to step out into the industry once you finish school.

What qualifications will I complete?

If you're a singer/dancer/actor, you can join our Musical Theatre stream, and if you're an actor, you can join our Acting stream.

MUSICAL THEATRE PERFORMERS: CUA40513 Certificate in Musical Theatre + CUA50213 Diploma of Musical Theatre
ACTORS: 10197NAT Certificate IV in Acting for Stage and Screen + 10295NAT Advanced Diploma of Performance

Our performing arts training

Perform Australia is registered training organisation (RTO 40859) with the authority to award nationally recognised qualifications. All our tutors are professional actors, directors, dancers, vocalists, producers, and writers - so you can be sure that your training is industry standard. Check out our tutors here. Our tutors have worked around Australia and around the world. They are all established professionals in their fields.

What will I learn?

You will learn the skills of the professional performer. These include:

Technique - improving your ability as a performer
Context - understanding the art form in the context of a broader history and tradition
Performance - you will perform in a range of stage and screen productions over your time with us
Sourcing work - you will learn about auditioning as well as other ways of sourcing and creating work in arts and entertainment
Business - you will learn about important aspects of working in the industry, developing your brand, and developing a business mindset

There is also opportunity to be involved in other aspects of production, such as ushering, costumes and props, design, and technical operation.

Our qualifications are industry-oriented. That means we are constantly referencing practices and expectations in the industry while we help you improve your technique as an actor or musical theatre performer.

Who is this program for?

This program is for you if you:

Show promise as a performer
Are passionate about performing
Are committed to working hard - you'll be completing two qualifications with us, and that's going to require a lot from you
Are self-disciplined - able to sit down and learn your lines, complete homework tasks, and do what it takes to succeed in the program
Are interested in the industry
Are hoping for a career in arts and entertainment.

Students who complete the Thrive program in Years 7-10 are also eligible to apply for the Young Professionals Program.

Reasons to join The Young Professionals Program

#1 Get professional actor training... now

Get a head start on your acting career by working with professional actors, directors, producers, vocalists and dancers. Many people wait till after they finish school to complete their performing arts qualifications. But if you are ready to start learning now, why wait?

#2 Count your performing arts training towards your Year 12

You can study what you love, and work towards your Year 12 certificate. There are a number of ways to achieve your certificate alongside our courses. Reduce time spent on subjects you're not interested in, and invest in your natural talents.

#3 Become part of a vibrant artistic community

When you join Perform Australia's Young Professionals Program, you join a vibrant artistic community, with alumni around Australia and scattered throughout the world. It's fantastic to be among like-minded individuals, as passionate as you are.

#4 Always be working towards your next performance

In the Young Professionals, you don't have to wait till the annual school musical comes around. You're always working towards your next performance - whether that's a concert night, a show or a film.

#5 Develop skills that will help you in any career.

Studying the performing arts gives you many soft skills - communication skills, team skills, presentation skills, critical and creative thinking skills, to name a few... So join Young Professionals, and be way ahead of your peers in moving into the career of your choice - whether that's in the arts, or another profession.

How do I complete Year 12 through this program? Can I go onto further study?

Recognising that some students may want to go onto further study after Year 12, The Young Professionals Program provides several avenues to do so.

To complete Year 12 alongside your performing arts qualifications, you'll enrol with the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) for Year 11 and 12. CIT will help you design a learning program to help you achieve your goals. Then, you can study a range of academic subjects either by online learning, or by attending classes at CIT face-to-face. Depending on what you're aiming for, you can:

Receive your ACT Year 12 Certificate
Receive an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank)
Enter university without an ATAR
Prepare yourself to audition for an acting course at tertiary level

Here a just a few examples of how to achieve your goals:

Example 1

Accredited Package To Achieve Year 12

You need 17 points for Year 12:

8 points come from our courses
2 points come from English
5 points come from a Perform Australia internship & community involvement
2 from another subject

Example 2

To Enter University Without An ATAR - 1

You need 17 points for Year 12:

8 points come from our courses
2 points come from English
Complete a passion project at through the Big Picture Program
Present a Graduation portfolio and exhibition and receive a university recommendation

Example 3

To Enter University Without An ATAR - 2

Complete all requirements for Year 12 at accredited level
Complete Certificate IV in Acting for Stage and Screen and the Advanced Diploma of Performance
Upgrade the Advanced Diploma by applying to the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) Bachelor of Arts Practice Transition

Example 4

To Enter University Without An Atar - 3

Complete either your Diploma of Musical Theatre or your Advanced Diploma of Performance, and use it to apply for a Bachelor degree (e.g. Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education, etc).

To find out more about your options with CIT

You can contact CIT directly to ask about completing Year 12.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ABOUT YEAR 12

How do I apply?

Entry is by audition and interview.
1. You will need to choose between ACTING and MUSICAL THEATRE.

Choose musical theatre if you are a skilled singer/dancer and you are mostly interested in live performance.
Choose acting if you main interest is acting in plays or in TV and film.

2. Check the dates for applications and ensure you submit your application when its due. For students starting 2021:
Applications are due 12 midnight, Friday, October 30.
3. Follow the instructions for auditioning for your Certificate level course.

Acting stream students begin with the 10197NAT Certificate IV in Acting for Stage and Screen
Musical theatre students begin with the CUA40513 Certificate IV in Musical Theatre

ACTING AUDITION INFORMATION

MUSICAL THEATRE AUDITION INFORMATION

4. Fill out the online form below and submit your tapes via WeTransfer, as per the audition information.
5. We will be in touch with you to arrange an interview and tour of our facilities.

Apply now!

To apply for the Young Professionals Program, fill out the online from below.