Macleans College Team Advances to Showquest National Finals

East Auckland’s Macleans College has made an impressive mark by securing a spot in the national finals of the prestigious Auckland Showquest performing arts competition. This year’s event saw participation from over 20 schools across Auckland, with performances taking place over two nights at the Aotea Centre, captivating a live audience.

Showquest is a unique celebration of music, dance, drama, culture, and technology that encourages students to develop original performances that reflect their creativity and vision. Each school team showcased their own conceptualized pieces, incorporating choreography, music choices, lighting, and costume design.

While Orewa College clinched the top position in the competition’s Open section, Macleans College’s outstanding performance in the Senior section on the second night earned them a place in the digital national final. The school’s entry explored the theme of ‘Sonder’, a term that captures the realization that everyone around us lives a life as intricate and rich as our own.

The performance featured 41 students and told the story of a young businesswoman named Sara, who learns to connect more deeply with the lives of others. Macleans College highlighted the performance’s elements, stating, “The piece was brought to life through compelling and impactful dance, striking visuals, live singing, and original lighting design, showcasing the incredible depth of talent among Macleans College students.”

Leadership played a crucial role in this achievement. Senior student leaders, including Amber Thompson, Charlotte Radford, Chloe Tan, and Leana Ferguson, dedicated themselves to collaborating with their peers to bring this ambitious concept to fruition. The performance not only included dancers and singers but also showcased the talents of student lighting designers and those responsible for intricate lifts, demonstrating a comprehensive effort across various disciplines.

In a highly competitive environment, the judges—consisting of Jazz Thornton, Katrina George, Kate Laidler, and Tom Webster—took over 40 minutes to make their decision, reflecting the high quality of the performances they witnessed. Each team was evaluated on their use of the six Showquest elements, which include art, music, dance, drama, culture, and technology.

According to Matt Ealand, the director of Showquest, the event serves as a vital platform for fostering students’ creative expression and deepening their engagement with the arts. He emphasized that participation in Showquest extends beyond artistic development: “They’re also developing critical life skills such as teamwork, communication, leadership, and goal setting. Watching these young artists share their thoughts and talents on stage is a true privilege for us. Their ingenuity and dedication is inspiring.”

As Macleans College prepares for the national finals, the school community celebrates their achievement and eagerly anticipates the next chapter of their artistic journey.