Logan Park High School hopes to retain its ASB Dunedin Stage Challenge title next week with a show which follows a group of children who are pressured into adult relationships before their time.
The 2012 performance will explore whether they will be able to keep their identities, or conform to social pressures.
Logan Park will be among seven Otago secondary schools that will wow the audience with a spectacular display of talent in a night of youth creativity and expression at the Edgar Centre on Monday.
Themes for the night are Bonnie and Clyde (St Kevin's College, Oamaru); Room 617 (Wakatipu High School, Queenstown); The Fine Balance Of Life (Queen's High School, Dunedin); Invisible Children (Columba College, Dunedin); Cyber Warfare (Kaikorai Valley College, Dunedin); Moving Forward, Looking Back (Otago Girls' High School, Dunedin) and Never Go Home (Logan Park High School).
Stage Challenge event manager Gemma Parry said the eight-minute performances reflected issues concerning the pupils, and aimed to leave the audience thinking.
The event is now in its 20th year, and has grown to 21 shows in 13 locations, with 200 schools and 16,000 participants; the largest school-based dance and drama extravaganza in New Zealand.
Miss Parry said the benefits of participating in Stage Challenge were huge.
"There are many different rewards students take away from participating, such as new skills, friendships and, of course, the natural high you get from performing on stage."
The pupils did an amazing job, and many were actively involved in all aspects of their production, she said.
"I can't wait to see all the Dunedin schools' performances."
Stage Challenge has been part of New Zealand's youth performing arts scene since 1993.
It encourages pupils to be their best without the use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco. While it has adapted and evolved in its 20-year history, the core goal of Stage Challenge is unchanged.
"Its primary vision is to achieve social change through the use of the arts, and by inspiring creative thinking among the youth who shape our future.
"With pupils, teachers, parents and communities working together helping to prepare each school's performance, organisers are positive the event is achieving the goal," she said.
