Acting, Singing & Musical Theatre Workshops!
Join The Pretend People this July School Holidays!
After just one or two days, your young performer will walk away with boosted confidence, a deeper understanding of the audition process, and real, practical skills, all gained through working with trained educators and industry pros. Conveniently located in Earlwood, close to the Inner West, South West and Bayside Areas of Sydney.
✨ Acting & Singing Workshop + Musical Theatre Audition Workshop!
📍 Earlwood
📅 Thursday 10th (Acting/Singing Workshop) & Friday 11th (Musical Theatre Audition Workshop) July 2025
⏰ 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (school hours)
🧒 Years 3–6 & Years 7–12
💡 $99 per day or $179 for both days!
School Holiday Performing Arts Workshops in Sydney
Looking for fun and professional performing arts workshops these July school holidays? The Pretend People workshops are held in Earlwood, just a short drive from the Inner West, Bayside area, and South West Sydney.
Designed for young creatives aged 8–17, our Acting, Singing, and Musical Theatre holiday programs are perfect for kids and teens who love performing, whether they’re into school musicals, community theatre, or already auditioning for professional productions. With expert-led sessions and a supportive, playful vibe, your young performer will build real industry skills (while having the best time ever).
About The Pretend People
At The Pretend People, we know pretending isn’t just play, it’s practice.
For empathy. For self-expression. For big, bold, creative dreams.
Whether your kid is belting Broadway tunes in the kitchen, writing screenplays in their bedroom, or pretending to cry on cue (yep, we’ve seen it), this is a space for them to grow, perform, and have a whole lot of fun.
We’re a new creative collective offering workshops in musical theatre, screen acting, writing, and filmmaking — all led by working industry professionals who get what it’s like to be a creative kid or teen.
Our first stop? A two-day Acting and Singing Skills and Musical Theatre Audition Workshop just in time for the July school holidays.
These July school holiday performing arts workshops are located conveniently in Earlwood, close to the Inner West, Bayside Area and South-West of Sydney.
Our Acting, Singing, and Musical Theatre school holiday workshops are perfect for all budding performers. Whether you love to participate in school productions, community theatre or are agency represented and auditioning for professional productions, you’ll walk away with a deeper knowledge of your skills and the industry!
Led by Industry Pros Who Get It
Founder Veronica Clavijo brings over 15 years of experience on stage, screen and in performing arts teaching. She’s worked with kids, teens and adults — helping performers build their skills and their self-belief.
She’ll be joined across both days by a team of trained artists, performers and educators, so participants get to work with real-deal professionals in a fun, focused, friendly environment!
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Adrian Espulso
DAY 1 GUEST
Adrian is a performer working and living in Sydney. He’s most recently appeared in ABC Kids ‘Splashdance’, NRL ‘Drinkwise’ campaign and Schick Razors ‘The Man I Am’ campaign.
Adrian was a top 8 contestant on Channel Ten’s Triple threat show “I WILL SURVIVE” and has since performed in many live shows. He’s currently playing Manuel in Fawlty Towers and Ray in Confetti & Chaos with Interactive Theatre. He toured with ‘Eireborne – The Rebirth Of Irish Dance’ as their lead singer, ‘Jersey To Motown’ (Lovegrove Entertainment) and played Motel in ‘Fiddler On The Roof’ (RMS). Adrian also played Ricko in ‘Black Rock’ (Epicentre Theatre Company) and Judy in ‘The Fabulous Punch and Judy Show’ (Brent Thorpe).
Adrian has starred in many screen projects, including short films, television and commercials. He played Frank in ‘Frank Calls’ (Guillermo Sepúlveda) and Ralph Giancola in ‘Deadly Women’ (Beyond Productions).
Adrian holds a Cert IV in Performing Arts, completed the Estill Voice Training course and the Sing Over King CODA program. He trains with singing coach Linda Nagle and the team at Sydney Actors Collective. When Adrian is not performing, you can find him fixing trucks or playing football.
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Benjamin Olivera
DAY 1 GUEST
Benjamin Olivera is a well-experienced creative with a strong passion for delivering high-quality creative and performing art training and education to Sydney and its greater regions. He is currently completing a Bachelor of Music (Performance: Musical Theatre) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where he is refining his craft and learning from some of the best performers and creatives that Australia has to offer. His main passion is musical theatre and has quite a selection of roles under his belt such as Al in “A Chorus Line”, Adam in “Freaky Friday” and St Aphrodisius in “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” for which he won the 2023 Broadway World Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical. In addition to performing, Ben also loves being involved on the other side of the stage, having musical directed “Sweeney Todd” (BTC), co-musical directed “We Will Rock You” (BTC) and directed the NSW Premiere of “Alice By Heart” (MUSE).
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Ashton Lash
DAY 2 GUEST
Ashton has spent the last 4 years on Hamilton The Musical as a swing/DC and just finished performing The Producers at Hayes Theatre as swing/ensemble/DC. She studied at ED5INTERNATIONAL, where she received her Diploma of Performing Arts. Ashton is very passionate about educating and passing on skills that translate in both a professional environment as well a personal one. Performers are so brave and multifaceted, so they deserve to learn and understand the skills that will allow them to have a prosperous, long and healthy career in the arts!
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Osibi Akerejola
DAY 2 GUEST
Osibi Akerejola is a Nigerian-Australian Music Director, multi-instrumentalist, composer/arranger, and vocal coach working on Gadigal land. From as young as they can remember, they have been performing in and conducting orchestras, ensembles, and choirs of various natures, eventually finding a passion for theatre.
Osibi’s MD credits include, The Producers (JRP at Hayes and Riverside Theatres, 2025), Pride and Prejudice (Old Fitz x Dream Plane Productions, 2025), Aladdin Jr (Dare To Shine, 2025), Priscilla (IWTC, 2024), 9 to 5 (RMS, 2024), Little Women (MUSE, 2023), Crybaby (MUSE, 2023), Sunday in the Park with George (MUSE, 2022) and USYD’s inaugural new work showcase New Voices (2021).
Other theatre credits include, Producer/ Music Supervisor/Composer on New Work - SPEAK OF THE DEVIL (KXT, 2025), Arranging and Reeds 2/Conducting - THE PRODUCERS (JRP x Hayes x Riverside, 2025), Reeds 2 - THE BOY FROM OZ (IWTC, 2025), arranging/orchestrating for new work “Rent: The Musical (No, Not That Rent)” (SUDS, 2024), Reeds - 2 Sondheim on Sondheim (2024, MTS), Producer - New Voices (2021 & 2022, MUSE), Company Manager - Sunday In The Park With George (2022, MUSE).
Osibi is passionate about creating collaborative and diverse theatre.
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Tiana Costanza
DAY 2
Tiana Costanzo is a powerhouse performer, educator, and industry disruptor with over 22 years in the performing arts and 12+ years of teaching experience. A graduate of ED5 International and a trained musical theatre artist through a scholarship at Joffrey Ballet School in NYC, Tiana has built a career that spans international tours, television, stage, and national workshops. Her performance credits include seasons 4 & 5 of The Masked Singer and Opera Australia’s West Side Story (2024) as part of the Shark Ensemble.
Born into the studio world—her parents owned a dance studio and childcare centre—Tiana learned early the power of leadership, structure, and community. She quickly rose to lead national competition-winning troupes while mastering both the creative and operational sides of the industry.
Tiana’s work goes far beyond choreography. She specialises in Jazz, Technique, Lyrical, and Musical Theatre, with a deep commitment to foundations, connection, and building unshakeable confidence in dancers of all ages. Her style is raw, expressive, technical, and rooted in mindset coaching—helping dancers grow not just in skill, but in self-worth and resilience.
She is the founder of You Matter More, an education and advocacy platform challenging outdated norms and reshaping the future of the performing arts. Through national workshops, private mentoring, and a growing membership community, Tiana is creating safer, more empowering environments for students, teachers, and industry professionals alike.
Whether she’s in the studio, on stage, or behind the scenes, everything Tiana does is driven by one mission: to help people feel seen, supported, and unstoppable in their power.
🎤🎭 DAY 1: Acting and Singing — Skills Day!
A joyful day of creative exploration where young performers grow their confidence, build practical skills, and shine in scenes and songs — all guided by industry pros.
Before we step into the (pretend) audition room, we’re spending a whole day building the skills that bring stories and performers to life.
In this full-day acting + singing workshop, young creatives will work on:
Short scripted scenes in small groups
A group musical theatre number (with staging + performance skills)
Creative warm-ups to unlock voice, body and imagination
Confidence in connecting with characters + collaborators
Performance techniques used by real working actors and performers
Being present, trusting instincts, and making bold choices — aka the actor's real toolkit
This isn’t just a “rehearse and perform” kind of day; it’s about giving kids and teens the freedom to explore, express, and stretch their creative muscles in a supportive, professional space.
Whether they’re outgoing or quietly brilliant, brand-new or Broadway-bound, we’ll meet them where they’re at, and cheer them forward!
📍DETAILS:
Where: Earlwood
When: Thursday, 10 July 2025
Time: 9:00am – 3:00pm (school hours)
Ages: Years 3-6 & Years 7–12 (grouped by age for activities)
Beta price: $99 for one day or $179 for both!
Who’s it for?
Years 3-6 & Years 7–12
Young performers who love acting, singing, storytelling, or pretending to be dramatic (on purpose)
Kids who want to build skills before an audition, or just want a fun, creative day in the school holidays
🎤🎭 DAY 2: Musical Theatre — Audition Day!
From song choice to stage presence, this hands-on audition workshop gives kids the tools, tricks, and self-belief to walk into any room and truly own it.
Perfect for kids and teens who love live performance — or want help navigating their next school, community, or professional audition.
They’ll learn how to:
Fill out an audition form that stands out
Choose the right audition song for their voice
Build a basic performance bio/CV
Show up with confidence (even when nervous)
Own the room, even if singing/dancing/acting isn’t their strongest suit
Survive a dance call without panic
Act through song like a pro
Tackle cold reads + take direction on the spot
Practice auditioning in front of others (with feedback!)
Learn about self-tapes and get real-time coaching
Plus: warm-ups, movement, creative exercises, connection, and a sprinkle of silliness. Because we take fun just as seriously as we take talent.
📍DETAILS:
Where: Earlwood
When: Friday, 10 July 2025
Time: 9:00am – 3:00pm (school hours)
Ages: Years 3-6 & Years 7–12 (grouped by age for activities)
Beta price: $99 for one day or $179 for both!
Who’s it for?
Years 3-6 & Years 7–12
Young performers preparing for auditions — school shows, community theatre, talent agents, or just dreaming big
Kids who want to understand the audition process, build confidence, and learn what really happens “in the room”
Performers who shine in one area (acting, singing or dancing) and want support to grow in the others
Young creatives who want to stand out with smart song choices, great energy, and a toolkit of industry-ready skills
Kids who love musical theatre and want to feel ready, relaxed and real in auditions, without losing the fun of it all!
Daily Breakdown of each Workshop!
Acting & Singing Skills – Musical Moments!
9:00 -9.30 am: Morning Warm-Up – Fun group movement and vocal warm-up to get everyone energised and connected.
9.30-11.00: Singing Workshop – Learn a group musical theatre song, build skills in vocal and aural technique.
11.00 - 11.15: Short Recess Break – Time to snack, chat, and reset.
11.15-12.00 - Acting Workshop – Start building your acting skills by putting them into practice with scene work.
12.00-12.45 pm: Lunch – Eat, chill, and refuel for the afternoon.
12.45 - 2.30 Piecing It All Together –Combine your song and scene with staging, movement, and ensemble magic.
2.30-2.45: Final Rehearsal – A last run-through to polish, tweak, and cheer each other on.
2.45 - 3 pm: Mini Performance Time! – Parents and carers are invited to watch that day’s magic! Don’t worry, we will film it for anyone who misses out and make it available for you to relive the fun.
Musical Theatre Auditions –
9:00-9.30 am: Morning Warm-Up – Fun group movement and vocal warm-up to get everyone energised and connected
9:30-10.15am: Mock Dance Call – Learn an audition-style dance combo (don’t worry, it’s all about doing your best, not being perfect!)
10.15-11 am: Mock Singing Auditions – Perform your chosen song and get helpful feedback from industry pros
11-11.15 am: Short recess break– Snack, stretch, breathe.
11.15 - 12pm: Acting for Auditions – Practice cold reads and monologue work with feedback on the spot
12.00-12.45 pm: Supervised Lunch & Practice Time – Chill out, snack, and polish anything you want to try again
12.45 - 2.30 pm Second Round Auditions – Put your new skills into action and build confidence
2.30 - 3.00 pm Final Feedback & Pro Q&A – Wrap up with final advice and ask any burning questions, parents and carers are invited to attend.
*This schedule is a rough outline of the fun we’ve got planned across the two days, and may shift slightly depending on group sizes and vibes. We keep it playful, flexible, and focused on making it a great experience for everyone!
🎁 BONUS: Your Ultimate Audition Starter Pack
Every workshop enrolment comes with a downloadable Welcome Pack designed to set your young performer up for success, before they even walk into the room.
Here’s what’s included:
✅ A curated list of age-appropriate audition songs (no more guessing what to sing!)
✅ Monologue suggestions to suit a range of personalities and performance levels
✅ A printable Audition Day Checklist so they feel cool, calm and ready to go
✅ A Self-Tape Cheat Sheet for filming strong auditions at home
✅ Exclusive access to our private Facebook group for upcoming workshop info, industry tips, and extra creative inspo
This pack is packed with value (pun intended), and it’s yours when you sign up!
FAQs
What if my child has never done a workshop like this before?
No problem at all! Our workshops are welcoming, supportive, and designed for all experience levels. Whether your child is just getting started or already stage-savvy, they'll be challenged and encouraged.
Do they need to bring anything?
Just lunch, a water bottle, comfy clothes they can move in, and their best creative spirit! If they have a song or monologue they’d like to try for the Musical Theatre Audition Workshop, they can bring that too — but we’ll also provide great suggestions if they don’t have one.
Can my child come to just one day?
Yes! You can book either day individually, or come along for both. Each day is a standalone experience, but they also build beautifully when paired together.
Will parents get to see anything?
Yes! We wrap up Day 1 with a low-key performance — carers are welcome to come along and cheer at the end of the day. We have an open industry Q&A on Day 2, we encourage carers to join.
Is there a break and lunch time?
Absolutely. We’ll take regular breaks for snacks, water, and lunch. Kids can bring their own packed lunch and chill out with friends between sessions.
Who runs the workshops? Are they qualified?
Yes — our workshops are led by working industry professionals with years of experience in acting, musical theatre, coaching, and education. All professionals have a valid WWCC. There will be a first-aid trained person on site. You can read more about our founder, Veronica, here.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Stay in touch!
Follow us on Instagram: @thepretendpeople
Contact us directly: thepretendpeople@gmail.com
Acknowledgement of Country
The Pretend People acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we gather, create, and play — the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Always was, always will be Aboriginal land.