Youth show off stage talent

Grace Hayes (left) and Ngakuru School's Zalome Anderson perform Touched by an Alien at the Rotorua Speech and Drama Competition's final day yesterday. Photo/Stephen Parker

The future of performing arts in the region is in good hands after this year's Rotorua Speech and Drama Competitions wound up last night.

More than 220 young performers put on more than 850 acts in the three days of competition held at the Energy Events Centre.

The Rotorua Performer of the Year competition, which was in its 68th year, saw the top award go to 18-year-old Rotorua Boys' High School student Eliot Fenton on Saturday night.

He also won the "most promising performance" award.

Another top up-and-comer was John Paul College student Steven Glyde, who won the Remo Malcolm Award for most outstanding character.

The competition gives students the opportunity to showcase their talent and build their confidence as performers.

Competition co-convenor Jane Spence said the level of talent in Rotorua was excellent and the future of the performing arts in the city was in good hands.

"It's always fantastic to see the event at this point, after all the families have watched their children and friends performing," she said.

Three adjudicators - Claire Marsh, Colleen Bassett and Deborah O'Neil - judged all of the performances giving feedback and awarding certificates to those achieving the highest marks in each class.

Ms Spence said organisers would like more students to enter.

"Despite its long history, there are still a lot of schools and locals that don't know anything about it. We want people to know there are events like this one for school students interested in speech and drama."