From Coffs to the spotlight: Spectacular auditions begin

THE NSW Schools Spectacular audition team headed north on Wednesday for live Featured Vocalist auditions, giving Coffs Coast and Northern NSW public school students the hometown advantage. 

Secondary students from schools across the region – Coffs Harbour, Gulmarrad, South Grafton, Casino, Camden Haven, Ballina, Bellingen, Mullumbimby, Maclean, Bonville and Woolgoolga – auditioned at the Coffs Harbour Regional Conservatorium in the hopes of securing a place in the world’s largest annual variety show produced by the NSW Department of Education’s Arts Unit.

This is the third consecutive year the team has taken auditions on the road into the regions to provide greater opportunity for regional students.

Riverina was first up, followed by Coffs Harbour and Armidale.

The NSW Schools Spectacular has launched the careers of many beloved Australian artists such as Human Nature, Nathan Foley, Jack Vidgen, Paulini and 2024 Australian Idol runner-up Ilish Rettalick, who took to the Qudos Bank Arena stage for the first time as a Featured Artist in 2024.

Schools Spectacular crowd favourite and Year 11 Maclean High School student Alora Mahoney is auditioning for her fourth consecutive year, wowing on the Qudos Bank Arena stage in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

Schools Spectacular Creative Director Sonja Sjolander, said holding auditions across regional NSW makes a substantial difference to student confidence and overall performance.

“We’re searching for truly original talent; not just the usual song-and-dance routine, but extraordinary students with a distinct spark, capable of electrifying both the audience and the 5,000 performers they’ll inspire and lead,” explained Ms Sjolander.

“Heading into the regions to see young artists in their local environment gives us a better sense of student personality and individuality, which is so important for this year’s theme ‘Original’.

“We look forward to seeing what these students can potentially bring to this year’s show.”

In the hours before auditions, students participated in a half-day skills workshop to develop performance quality and vocal technique.

“This year’s regional tour is a collaboration, not just an audition,” said Ms Sjolander.

“The show isn’t fully finished yet, so the workshop is also a chance to share original ideas to integrate into the creative design of the production.”

More than 5,000 NSW public school students from hundreds of schools across New South Wales will come together at Qudos Bank Arena on 27 and 28 November 2026 for the 43rd Schools Spectacular, ‘Original’.