Invercargill's Civic Theatre rocked on Friday (19 May) as student groups from throughout Southland and Central Otago took to the stage for Showquest 2023.

The annual national competition allows students to showcase their performing arts skills, presenting powerful performances exhibiting art, music, dance, drama, culture, and technology.

Southland Girls High School took out the senior title with their piece about the Battle of Passchendaele, while James Hargest College won the junior section with a performance about achieving your dreams.

Showquest judge Ange Newell, a freelance producer, director, and educator, said the competition was an outstanding showcase of talent.

"So much work and thought has gone into these performances."

"I think that the performing arts are very much alive in Southland."

"I’m very proud to see that we can bring such an amazing calibre of performers to the stage,” Newell said.

Teams were judged overall on their production, performance, movement, and theme.

The 2023 Southland judges were Emma Carey (Movement), Ange Newell (Performance) and Ash Bartlett (Technical). 

Showquest is being staged in Nelson, Canterbury, Southland, Northland, Waikato, Manawatū, Wellington, Bay of Plenty and Auckland.

A National Digital Final will name the top entry nationwide in August (2023).

Full list of awards

Showquest Southland Junior:

1st Place: James Hargest College

2nd Place: Southland Girls High School

ZM Soundtrack Award: Southland Girls High School

Theme: James Hargest College

Drama: James Hargest College

Choreography: James Hargest College

Lighting: James Hargest College

Video Wall: Southland Girls High School Costume & Enhancement: Southland Girls High School

Props: James Hargest College

Whetū Rangatahi (star of the show): Tamzyn Dillinger from James Hargest College

Showquest Southland Senior

1st Place: Southland Girls High School

2nd Place: Central Southland College

3rd Place: Mount Aspiring College

ZM Soundtrack Award: Dunstan High School Live Music: Wakatipu High School Highly Commended Live Music: Mount Aspiring College

Theme: Dunstan High School

Highly Commended Theme: James Hargest College Senior

Drama: Southland Girls High School

Choreography: James Hargest College Senior Highly Commended Choreography: Central Southland College and Mount Aspiring College

Lighting: Southland Girls High School

Highly Commended Lighting: Verdon College and Dunstan High School Video Wall: Central Southland College Highly Commended Use of LED Video Wall: Mount Aspiring College Costume & Enhancement: Wakatipu High School Highly Commended Costume & Enhancement: Central Southland College

Props: Mount Aspiring College

Highly Commended Use of Props: Verdon College Showquest School Spirit: Central Southland College Toi (Wearable Art) Star of the Night: Fast Fashion (Wakatipu High School)