Mount shine again at Stage Challenge

Mount Maunganui College won second place in the 2017 Stage Challenge: Photo: Dean Cohen.

Mount Maunganui College came a close second in the 25th Stage Challenge Open Division, recently held at Auckland's ASB Theatre.

Their piece Chain Reaction is a story based on the 2011 Fukushima earthquake that devastated Japan. They portrayed the impact the earthquake had on the community.

'I felt like I was there, the way you drew me in with your focus and commitment,” says performance judge Brylee Mills, commenting on Mount Maunganui's performance.

The college also won a Ministry of Education Award of Excellence for Concept, a Ministry of Youth Development Award of Excellence for Drama, an Edge Award of Excellence for Soundtrack, a Canon Award of Excellence for Visual Enhancement, and Awards of Excellence for Stage Use, Set Design and Function, Theme Originality, Costuming Character, Performance Skill, and Stage Crew.

Ten schools put on a display of passion, creativity and drama in the senior school Open Division Competition. Henderson High School took out first place in the Open Division with their performance, Picture Perfect.

The high school took the stage with a moving piece on domestic violence. They invited the audience to take a look behind the picture frames of a family's household; and to take a deeper look at what is really there. They asked the audience are families all that they seem? Or is there more behind the picture frames?

'Henderson High School had a stunning display of passion, energy and conviction throughout their powerful performance,” says event manager Olivia Kinane. 'This passion was felt unanimously across the audience and ultimately gained them first place.”

'Visually and orally stunning,” commented Braydon Priest, production judge for the Stage Challenge.

Design judge Jazz Heaven was also moved by Henderson High School's piece.

'Your choices in costume, set design, music and lighting created a great piece.”

'The positive attitude and enthusiasm that the students brought to the show and to the stage tonight was felt unanimously across the board,” says Olivia. '[The] show really highlights how Stage Challenge and J Rock is a great pathway for youth to work together in a safe and healthy way.”

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