Today’s aspiring artists and performers need practical, industry-ready skills, professional networks and real-world learning experiences that prepare them for sustainable careers in the arts industry.
And through Excelsia University College’s Creative and Performing Arts degrees, students gain hands-on training, industry engagement opportunities, mentorship from experienced practitioners, and access to pathways that connect study with employment.
Open Day (29 August 2026) provides prospective students with an opportunity to experience this learning environment firsthand through interactive masterclasses, course information sessions and conversations with academics and current students.
‘The industry is constantly evolving, and artists are increasingly creating their own opportunities rather than waiting for them to appear,’ says Hannah Morson, Production coordinator, Creative and Performing Arts at Excelsia. ‘In Sydney, independent “indie” theatre and short film projects are becoming a growing space for emerging artists.
‘For young graduates, getting involved in these kinds of productions is often key to building a portfolio, networking, and gaining experience. That’s why, at Excelsia, students are encouraged to develop production skills alongside their performing. Being an Excelsia graduate gave me the confidence and practical skills I needed to build a lasting career.’
Lotte Latukefu, Head of School, Creative and Performing Arts at Excelsia, explains how the programs align with industry expectations.
‘Students can undertake industry placements in their third year, and many have gone on to secure their first paid roles with those same organisations,’ Latukefu says. ‘We keep our courses closely aligned with industry needs, and many of our lecturers are active professionals. We often tell students that every class is a potential audition – and today, Excelsia graduates are working in theatres, festivals and on film sets across Australia and beyond.’
Morson says that Excelsia offered her something unique when she studied there.
‘I knew I wanted to study acting, but I was also interested in other creative areas,’ she says. ‘What drew me to Excelsia, and what sets it apart, was the broad scope of their Bachelor of Dramatic Art, which allowed me to train across multiple creative areas within one degree.
‘This gave me a deeper understanding of the industry and the versatility to step confidently into a variety of creative roles as a theatre-maker.’
Latukefu says: ‘We blend practical, theoretical and business skills. Our Drama and Screen Production students have the opportunity to go global with our Oz to LA unit where they get three months training in LA.’
Morson says that building a sustainable creative career – a key driver of the courses at Excelsia – comes from graduates being well-rounded.
‘The artists who build lasting careers are often the ones with a broader range of skills,’ she says. ‘At Excelsia, students are encouraged to become theatre-makers as well as performers, developing the confidence, adaptability, and practical experience needed to create opportunities for themselves throughout their careers.’
And Latukefu adds: ‘If students apply and audition for our Bachelor of Dramatic Art, Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Screen Production before the HSC starts they can get 20% of their fees in first year as an early offer scholarship.’
