A nationwide performing arts programme is coming to Tauranga next month for young people to bring their original art, music, dance and drama performances to the stage.

An expected 270 students will design, produce and perform their stories in a powerful night of celebration at Showquest Bay of Plenty at Baycourt Theatre on June 4 from 6.30pm.

Showquest – known as a platform for youth voices to be heard – replaced both J Rock and the Stage Challenge events in 2017. Showquest Bay of Plenty, run by Rockquest Promotions, is one of 12 regional events, which take place across Aotearoa from May 1-June 26.

The 2024 Showquest event was the largest yet with 17 schools from Tauranga and Rotorua competing and 811 students across Showquest and TOI, one of them being Ōtūmoetai Intermediate. Photo / Chontalle Musson

“It’s the largest performing arts programme in New Zealand, supported by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Youth Development,” said producer Kelsey Moller.

“It’s an opportunity for young people to create and perform on-stage and a huge focus of the programme is student leadership.”

A key aim is to empower young people to take on leadership roles whether on stage as performers, behind stage, as stage managers, choreographers or directors, said Moller.

Mount Maunganui Intermediate at Showquest 2024. Photo / Chontalle Musson

Aquinas College, Te Puke Primary and Pāpāmoa Primary will compete in Showquest BOP’s performance category on June 4, while Mount Maunganui Intermediate, Waihī College, Katikati College and Tauranga Girl’s College will compete in the TOI, wearable art garments category.

Each Showquest performance is 10 minutes’ long and needs to tell a story and have a theme.

“At the moment, students all across New Zealand are hard at work coming up with their own devised pieces,” said Moller.

Aquinas College have chosen ‘The Arts through the Ages’ as their theme. “The arts have been a part of our lives and cultures since time began. Our performance explores the evolution of the Arts through the ages.”

Te Puke Primary explores the idea of going one night without technology, which students have called ‘Imagine it’. “One night, all the lights go out – no TVs, no tablets, no tech at all. At first, everyone is like: ‘What do we do now?’ But then something amazing happens...imagination.”

Te Puke Primary at Showquest 2024. Photo / Chontalle Musson

Pāpāmoa Primary School will follow a journey of belonging which they have called ‘Ko wai au?’

“Ko wai au is a journey of belonging. Through drama, dance and song, we explore what it means to find your voice, stand tall in your uniqueness, and celebrate the courage it takes to be yourself.

“It’s a powerful reminder that we all belong—not by fitting in, but by being proud of who we are and respecting the differences that make each of us shine.”

Showquest 2024 national finalist Jordi Cameron from Mount Maunganui Intermediate used woven mats and shoes from op shops to create a garment that represented the legend Pania Of The Reef. Photo / Chontalle Musson

The wearable art category, TOI, is in collaboration with the World of Wearable Art. “Young people create a wearable art garment, we photograph the garments and they do a catwalk on-stage,” said Moller.

TOI will have a digital national final and winners will receive tickets to attend the World of Wearable Art.

Showquest 2024 national finalist Zo-Beth Naisby from Waihi College who used recycled school lunch containers to create a rose dress symbolising eternal love after giving these aluminium containers a longer life, making them also timeless. Photo / Chontalle Musson

Moller said she expects 45 garments from the four Bay of Plenty schools.

To get tickets and watch friendly inter-school rivalries heat up as students explore the issues that are important to them, visit EventFinda or visit Baycourt Addison Theatre.