All ABOARD! LEAD AUDITIONS
The SS Energy Spotlight
Step aboard the SS Energy and help bring our 2026 End of Year Concert, ALL ABOARD! to life!
This year, we’re casting a small group of lead characters who will help guide our audience through the story of the SS Energy. From boarding and setting sail to the pool deck, dining, activities, adventures and plenty of cruise ship chaos, our lead characters will connect the story across the production and help bring each scene to life.
We’re looking for confident, expressive students who are ready to step outside their usual dancing role and show us their personality, acting skills and stage presence. Whether you’re energetic, cheeky, calm, dramatic, funny or full of confidence, we’d love to see what you can bring to the SS Energy!
Audition Process
Video Audition
Students may audition for the character that most interests them using the short script provided below. You may also let us know if you would be happy to be considered for another character role.
Before beginning your script, please introduce yourself:
“Hi, my name is [First Name], I’m [Age] years old, and I’m auditioning for the role of [Character].”
Then:
Perform the audition script for your chosen character.
Speak clearly and use your face, voice and body to bring the character to life.
A parent or sibling may read any READER lines from off-camera.
Small gestures, movement and physical acting are encouraged.
Nothing fancy is required. A simple phone recording is perfect.
Email your audition video to jacqui@danceenergystudios.net.au
Submissions close Monday 28 September at 10:00am
Successful applicants will be contacted by Tuesday 29 September. Please make sure you have carefully checked the rehearsal and performance commitments below before submitting an audition.
2026 Lead Characters
THE CAPTAIN
Age guide: 13+
Tone: Confident, warm, calm and commanding
The Captain is the leader of the SS Energy. They are calm, capable and welcoming, with the kind of presence that immediately makes everyone feel like they’re in safe hands. We’re looking for someone who can command the stage without needing to be overly loud or dramatic.
Audition Script
READER – Cruise Director:
“Captain, everyone’s onboard. Mostly.”
CAPTAIN:
“Mostly?”
READER:
“One missing suitcase, two very excited children, and someone’s already asking when dinner starts.”
CAPTAIN:
(small smile)
“Perfect. Sounds like we’re ready.”
READER:
“You’re not worried?”
CAPTAIN:
“Not at all. A little chaos means everyone’s having a good time.”
(looks out towards the passengers)
“Crew to your stations. Guests, find your people, hold on to your hats, and get ready for an adventure.”
(beat, confidently)
“The SS Energy is officially setting sail!”
THE CRUISE DIRECTOR
Age guide: 12+
Tone: Energetic, charismatic, quick and polished
The Cruise Director is the ultimate host. They’re enthusiastic, confident and always ready with the next activity, announcement or plan. This character will help guide the audience through many parts of the production and will interact regularly with the Crew Member and other lead characters. We’re looking for someone with strong personality, clear speech and plenty of stage presence.
Audition Script
CRUISE DIRECTOR:
“Good morning, travellers, and welcome aboard the SS Energy!”
“Today’s schedule includes swimming, games, dancing, delicious food and approximately seventeen opportunities to completely lose track of time.”
(checks clipboard)
“We’ve got activities happening on every deck, entertainment all day and enough food to make you question every decision you’ve ever made.”
(looks up brightly)
“Take some time to explore, check out what’s happening around the ship and make the most of everything we have planned.”
(looks around excitedly)
“There’s plenty to discover, and this is only the beginning.”
(brightly)
“So grab your people, get ready for a big day and let’s get this adventure underway!”
THE YOUNG CRUISER
Age guide: 9–12
Tone: Excitable, curious and completely thrilled to be there
This is the Young Cruiser’s first time aboard a cruise ship, and they want to experience everything. The pool. The activities. The food. The games. The adventures. All of it. They’ll experience the SS Energy alongside their Parent and help the audience discover everything happening aboard the ship. We’re looking for someone with lots of natural enthusiasm, expression and personality.
Audition Script
YOUNG CRUISER:
“Wait. There’s a pool?”
(beat)
“And a kids club?”
“And games?”
“And dessert?”
(turns urgently to Parent)
“Why did nobody tell me cruises were THIS good?”
READER – Parent:
“We’ve been onboard for five minutes.”
YOUNG CRUISER:
“Exactly! We’re already behind!”
READER:
“Behind what?”
YOUNG CRUISER:
“Everything!”
(starts counting)
“We need to see the pool, find our room, check the activities, explore the ship, and figure out where they keep the dessert.”
READER:
“Can we put our bags down first?”
YOUNG CRUISER:
(already moving)
“You can. I’ll meet you at the pool!”
THE PARENT
Age guide: 11+
Tone: Dry, loving, relaxed and slightly overwhelmed by their very enthusiastic child. The Parent boarded the SS Energy expecting a relaxing holiday. Their child has other ideas. This character is warm and caring with a dry sense of humour, and will be pulled into more and more of the cruise activities as the story unfolds. We’re looking for someone who can deliver comedy naturally and create a believable relationship with the Young Cruiser.
Audition Script
READER – Young Cruiser:
“Come on! There’s a pool party, then games, then activities, then dinner!”
PARENT:
“That sounds wonderful.”
(settles comfortably)
“You go. I’ll be right here.”
READER:
“You have to come too!”
PARENT:
“I thought the whole point of a holiday was resting?”
READER:
“No.”
(beat)
PARENT:
“Right. Of course not.”
READER:
“And after dinner there’s dancing!”
PARENT:
“Fantastic.”
(beat)
“I packed three books for this holiday.”
READER:
“You’re not going to read them.”
PARENT:
(realising they’re probably right)
“No. I’m beginning to understand that.”
THE CREW MEMBER
Age guide: 10+
Tone: Helpful, confident, quick and playful
The Crew Member seems to be everywhere aboard the SS Energy. They work closely with the Cruise Director, help guests find their way around and often lead us directly into different parts of the ship. Throughout the concert, they may appear around the galley, pool deck, activities, dining areas and other scenes. We’re looking for someone who is expressive, quick-thinking and comfortable interacting with other performers.
Audition Script
CREW MEMBER:
“Alright everyone! Pool deck upstairs, activities that way, and the dining room is straight ahead.”
“And if you’re looking for the Cruise Director—”
READER – Cruise Director:
“I’m right here.”
CREW MEMBER:
“There you are. I’ve been answering your questions for the last ten minutes.”
READER:
“And doing a wonderful job.”
CREW MEMBER:
(smiles)
“I know.”
READER:
“Can you show everyone through to the dining room?”
CREW MEMBER:
“Absolutely. Follow me!”
(starts leading the group)
“We’ll pass the galley on the way. No stopping, no distracting the chefs and definitely no asking what’s for dessert.”
READER – Young Cruiser:
“What’s for dessert?”
(Crew Member stops and looks at them)
CREW MEMBER:
“I really should have seen that coming.”
(gestures for everyone to follow)
“Come on. Let’s go and see what’s happening in the kitchen!”
Key Commitments
Lead characters play an important role across the entire production, so availability and reliability are essential.
All applicants MUST be available for both of the following full-cast rehearsals:
Wednesday 30 September: 1:45pm–4:00pm
Thursday 1 October: 10:45am–1:45pm
Please do not audition if you are unavailable for either of these rehearsals.
Students who are cast will also need to be available for:
Additional lead character rehearsals throughout Term 4
One weekend day in early Term 4 for audio recording – date TBC
Costume fitting and character preparation as required
Potential character photography or filming
Full cast rehearsal on Sunday 22 November
All three concerts on Saturday 28 November
Early arrival on concert day and availability across the full production day
Any additional rehearsals communicated to successful applicants where required
Important Notes
Students must be at least 9 years old to audition.
Age recommendations for individual characters are a guide only and may be adjusted depending on auditions.
Students may audition for a particular character while also indicating that they are happy to be considered for another role.
Final character details may be adapted slightly to best suit the students cast.
Dialogue used in the concert will predominantly be pre-recorded, so students will need to learn to convincingly act and mime along with their own recorded voice.
Lead performers will still need to learn staging, cues, movement and interactions with the other characters.
Lead characters may also appear within or alongside selected dance routines throughout the production.
Not every student who auditions will be cast.
Casting will take into consideration:
Expression and characterisation
Vocal clarity
Confidence and stage presence
Ability to take direction
Reliability and availability
Interaction with other performers
Suitability for the overall story and character group
We understand that auditioning can feel nerve-wracking, and not being selected can be disappointing. Most importantly, we want students to have fun with it, make strong choices and show us their personality. We can’t wait to meet the crew and passengers joining us aboard the SS Energy for ALL ABOARD!