Showquest offers high school music, dance and drama competition

Napier Girls High School entrants in the former Stage Challenge competition, now superceded by Showquest. Photo / File

Talented high-schoolers in Hawke's Bay can now put themselves forward for a new music, dance and drama competition.

Secondary school students right around the country can start planning their entries for Showquest, launched yesterday as a Ministry of Education-backed music, dance and drama event that will run in 10 regions in June.

Rockquest Promotions, which has 30 years of success with the country's only live, nationwide school music contest, won the contract for an event to replace the former Stage Challenge completion two weeks ago.

Event director Matt Ealand said Showquest would provide an opportunity for students to express themselves by drawing on their personal experiences and cultural heritage.

"They design and direct their own performances and, if they want to, can write and perform their own soundtracks too.

"The timing this year means we're coming at schools late, however we will do everything we can to make it easy for them to give their students the opportunity to enter."

Ealand said Showquest had a wider focus than Smokefreerockquest and was accessible to more students.

"Showquest lines up with the curriculum and with NCEA standards across several subject areas, "he said.

"It inspires kids to put what they've learned into practice in a professional stage setting, with a live audience."

The first event is at Whangarei's Forum North on June 20 and other events will follow in Dunedin, Christchurch, Nelson, Wellington, Hawke's Bay, Rotorua, Hamilton, New Plymouth and Auckland. A national online final will name the top entry nationwide in September.

Entries close on June 20. Schools can enter by either visiting the website www.showquest.nz or by contacting Matt Ealand, Showquest event director, on 09 845 1557 or matt@showquest.nz