Western Bay of Plenty students to step under the spotlight

Students performing during the 2016 showcase. Photo/Brydie Photography

Students from eight Western Bay of Plenty secondary schools will step under the spotlight with the return of The Night Is Young showcase next month.

The seventh annual celebration of youth performing arts is on stage at Baycourt Community and Arts Centre on August 22.

This year's showcase will star students from Te Puke High School, Aquinas College, Katikati College, Mount Maunganui College, Otumoetai College, Papamoa College, Tauranga Boys' College and Tauranga Girls' College.

Friends of Baycourt chairwoman Anna Finlayson-Smith said students would present a range of performing arts styles including music, dance, drama, and more.

"The Night Is Young showcases a wide variety of performances, and for young performers, it's an exciting opportunity for them experience their moment under the spotlight and share their remarkable gifts with the community," she said.

"Each year is different, but what always remains the same is the interaction between the performers, plus the excitement and enjoyment both on stage and behind the curtain which makes for a pleasant experience at Baycourt."

The event offers students the chance to perform in front of a large crowd and opportunities to get involved in the lighting and technical aspects of the performance.

In the upcoming weeks participating schools will take turns displaying one of four large, The Night Is Young signs on their school's grounds to promote the event.

Both students and performers were encouraged to take and share photos of themselves with the signs via social media platforms such as Facebook.

Finlayson-Smith said the aim of the Night is Young event, which was established in 2011, was to provide an event for secondary schools to showcase their performing arts talent.

"The Night Is Young is not competitive, it's an opportunity for students to enjoy being on stage performing an already in place performance, and most importantly, give the community an insight into just how great the talent is within Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty," Finlayson.

"So come along to Baycourt with your friends and family and be astounded by the gifted and talented young performers living right here in our community."

THE DETAILS:
What: The Night is Young at Baycourt Addison Theatre
When: August 22, 7.30pm.
Tickets: Available from the Baycourt Box Office, online via the Ticketek website at www.ticketek.co.nz or by calling 0800 TICKETEK.