Students leave hearts on stage

Otago Daily Times

11-06-2025

Southland Girls' High School students perform on the Civic Theatre stage for Showquest Southland. PHOTO: CHONTALLE MUSSON
Hundreds of South Island secondary school students brought their creative talents to the Deep South on Monday night.
The students put on performances that blended art, music, dance, drama, culture and technology for Showquest Southland at the Civic Theatre in Invercargill.
A dozen school groups from across Otago and Southland took part in Aotearoa's largest student performing arts competition.
Showquest producer Kelsey Moller said the standard of the performances lifted every year and she was impressed with the issues young people brought to the stage.
"It was all really student-led. [A] really diverse expression of creativity.
"Tonight, we've had performances about AI, about our wāhine toa and disconnecting from social media.
"It's a really strong nationwide theme that we've seen."
She had anticipated a great show because of the way the 600 students had supported each other throughout the day.
"This was a really beautiful opportunity for adults and teachers and whānau to come along and see the students take to the stage and show the adults in their lives what was important to them."
A group from Wanaka's Mount Aspiring College were named the winner
, taking out the open section for their "Wāhine Toa" dance piece celebrating significant women from across Aotearoa's history.
James Hargest College snapped up the junior section for their performance themed, "Best First Day Ever!".
Showquest Southland judge Travis Luke said the concepts felt very relevant — and clearly focused on where we were at in society.
Both colleges will go on to the Showquest digital national final, which will be livestreamed on July 30.