Mount Maunganui College's Stage Challenge performance based on the events leading to World War I earned the team top awards in the national competition.
The college won the The Edge National Award of Excellence for Soundtrack and the National Backstage Crew awards.
They placed third in the Auckland NightFour live event.
The performance, named Stalemate, was based on the events in Eastern Europe that led to World War One.
The synopsis read : "In 2015, Russia threatens the same region. The Ukraine, torn between pro-Russians and supporters of financial Western Nations is in conflict.
"The people protest, leaders argue, war breaks out and like a chess game they have reached a Stalemate. Ordinary people suffer, as Stalemate, means no change or peace."
Event production Judge Braydon Priest congratulated the college team for staying away from the top 40 songs.
National production judge David Artis said: "outrageously stunning! A dramatic soundtrack adding to the perfectly timed performance."
