The NearAway Project ... because everyone's emotional health matters.
On her eleventh birthday, Finch Love makes a wish to take an apple back to the Garden of Eden to undo the curse that has ruined her world and made her an orphan.
But her wish gets caught on a thought and she is swept away to a strange dark place.
A Wishlar comes to her rescue and informs Finch that she must take a fantastic journey to a
special place called NearAway to find what she seeks.
Equipped with just an old scroll and a few provisions, she is soon joined by a quirky bunch of characters as she takes a bumpy ride filled with choices and decisions that will question her resolve and
bring her face to face with the most powerful of enemies ...
Sing a song, perform a scene, play an instrument, mime or dance to any
NearAway recorded or charted song & backing track
- the options are endless!
Are you ready to take centre stage?
Join the journey ...?
Share the light ...?
It's time to share your light ... !
All performance modalities accepted - including:
Sing a song, act a scene, dance to a song or backing track,
play a musical instrument or rally up your choir!
- you can even get creative with sock puppets!
Prizes & Awards for AU & UK
Prizes awarded across all three performance categories:
Youth Division AUD GBP/UK
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Ages 8–12 Best Solo: $500 250
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Ages 13–18 Best Solo: $500 250
Adult Division
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18+ Best Solo: $1,000 500
Judges’ Choice Awards
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All ages Best Group: $350 150
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All ages Best Solo: $150 100
Total Prize Pool: $2,500 1250
Awards & Prizes for Everybody
A Certificate of Participation & NearAway Wellbeing Wrist Bands
Who can enter?
Anyone ages 8+ who wants to unleash their passion and talents!
Solo Performers, Groups, Choirs & Ensembles Welcome!
(NB The 2026 NearAway AU & UK Talent Quest is only open to Australian and United Kingdom residents. ALL OTHER COUNTRIES please checkout the '26 Creatives' Challenge tab for a time limited opportunity to access the NearAway resources)
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Independent performers of all arts modalities
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Schools (Primary, Secondary, Colleges)
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Community theatre groups
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Musical theatre groups
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Drama schools
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Dance schools
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Choirs, bands, orchestras
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Acting schools
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Performance collectives
Multiple entries are allowed.
Performance Categories
Entries may be submitted in any of the following categories:
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VOICE
Performances where the voice is the primary expressive tool, including singing, spoken word, monologue, narration, or vocal storytelling.
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MOVEMENT
Performances where the body is the primary expressive tool, including dance, physical theatre, expressive movement, or choreographed pieces.
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CREATIVE PERFORMANCE
Performances focused on storytelling, character work, scene interpretation, comedy, or hybrid pieces blending voice and movement.
All ages may choose any category & individuals may also submit a group entry.
The NearAway Talent Quest Resources Pack consists of:
1/ NearAway QUICK START GUIDE - Character, Songs & Scenes
2/ The NearAway Mindful Musical Production SCRIPT
3/ The NearAway SCORE & CHARTS for x14 songs
4/ The NearAway LYRICS for all songs
5/ All Professionally Produced Song Recordings 14 & Backing Tracks x15
6/ The NearAway Character Guide
7/ Character Board Visuals
8/ AUSTRALIA Entry Form - T&C's, instructions and signature page
8/ UNITED KINGDOM Entry Form - T&C's, instructions and signature page
The resources we offer you for free ...
For further information, including media inquiries or production opportunities,
please contact us at hello@nearawayproject.com
Prepare to
Submit Your Online
Video Entry!
Collaborate! - under 16's - rally a teacher, parent or adult to assist!
All PDF FILE Resources are in our FILE SHARE FOLDER - Click here to access for AU & UK
1/ Download the QUICK START GUIDE for Character, Songs & Scenes, choose what suits you best!
2/ Download the NearAway Mindful Musical Script so you can read your fave song or scene or part scene plus a song - there's lots of options to pick from!
Remember, there's song charts and lyric PDF's to use so you dont have to print the script.
3/ Rehearse & record your performance - live, staged, &/or creatively filmed.
4/ Download the AU or UK Entry Form and Instructions for your online video submission - or email us hello@nearawayproject.com OR download PDF's directly from the file share folder.
5/ Submit your video (up to 10 mins) with your signed ENTRY FORM for a chance to WIN cash Prizes & Awards and be featured in our Official NearAway Online Showcase
... here at the NearAway Project as we take a Wizard of Oz type journey
through a totally new frontier in storytelling, where the message of this
Power of Now inspired fable can make its greatest impact on
children's & adult's emotional health & wellbeing by showing us all how to experience
joy even in our darkest of moments.
