Leading performing arts training and education

Brent Street’s carefully designed progressive education structure takes participants from first steps to a professional career:

• Petite Performers’ Program caters to development ages of three to six.
• Young Performers’ Program caters for ages seven through to 18 (part-time).
• Pre-professionals Program at the Brent Street Academy caters to those who want to have a professional career and need to complete their HSC.
• Professionals’ Development Program (Certificate IV in Performing Arts) provides the final entrée to the industry.

Unique Artistic Council

Brent Street is fortunate to have the joint talents of Caroline O’Connor, Steven Heathcote, Kellie Dickerson and Wayne Harrison overseeing the artistic direction at Brent Street. All members of the Artistic Council are passionate about Brent Street and impart their knowledge and industry connections to our students. Read more about the Artistic Council here.

Best-in-class dance and performing arts teachers

Headed by Artistic Director, Cameron Mitchell, who’s been mentoring the teaching program for over 10 years, many Brent Street teachers are graduates who have excelled as performing artists, established successful careers and who return to Brent Street to ‘pass it on’.

• Brent Street has the highest proportion of working performing arts professionals of any Australian dance company.
• All teachers must have formal qualifications in the performing arts, a minimum of five years’ industry experience and three years’ teaching experience.
• Teachers must also have a finger on the pulse of what’s happening in the industry and be able to develop from and teach the very latest trends.
• All teachers must be committed to fostering individuality, creativity and self-expression.

Top dance facilities and location

Situated within the Entertainment Quarter at Fox Studios, Brent Street’s facilities are regarded as the best in Australia, providing a professional environment in which to learn.

• There are six state-of-the-art dance studios with a variety of professional-grade flooring treatments including sprung timber, tarkett and universal floors.
• Two additional studios cater for the Petite Performers
• A sound proofed group singing room and two individual private singing rooms
• The “Blue Room” for acting classes and small productions
• There are also pianos and high-tech audio equipment with iPod facilities.
• The Brent Street Academy is housed in a fully equipped building for all academic classes along with a drama theatre and a singing studio on site.

Pathway to industry and career in dance and the performing arts

The special Brent Street environment is made up of far more than its physical facilities. Every student of Brent Street feels like they are part of a family who will nurture and support their dreams.

Not only that, Brent Street’s exceptional reputation for producing talented artists, its proximity to other casting agents, studios and auditions, and the connections that arise from hiring Brent Street facilities mean that students have lots of opportunity to see and be seen by working industry professionals.

Professional stage experience

As one of Australia’s longest-established performing arts schools, and with a performing arts team that combines passion, enthusiasm, experience and award-winning choreography and performances, it’s no surprise that the Brent Street end-of-year concerts are legendary.

All students have the chance to be part of this professional-level production, working with renowned lighting designers, directors, and producers in a spectacular show. Witnessed by industry professionals such as agents, choreographers, producers and directors, as well as family and friends, this experience is the highlight of the year.  

Performing arts industry input

Brent Street is fortunate to have the joint talents of Caroline O’Connor, Steven Heathcote, Kellie Dickerson and Wayne Harrison overseeing the artistic direction at Brent Street.

All members of the Artistic Council are passionate about Brent Street and impart their knowledge and industry connections to our students.

For example, in February 2011, Caroline O’Connor auditioned the 2010 Brent Street Certificate IV students and selected four to perform in her The Showgirl Within show. The experience they gained was phenomenal.