MELBOURNE, 9 September 2024: The 2024 Victorian State Schools Spectacular is set to return to John Cain Arena for its annual creative extravaganza, with two shows scheduled for Saturday 14 September 2024. The Victorian State Schools Spectacular features an enormous cast and crew of 3,000 Victorian government school students, including dancers, vocalists, orchestra musicians and circus artists. The students are now approaching the end of their 7-month rehearsal process, culminating in a showcase of Victoria’s best young talent. They will take the stage to present the largest annual show in Melbourne Park. The Spectacular also offers off-stage opportunities, with additional students receiving training from skilled industry professionals to take on essential behind-the-scenes roles in stage management, lighting, sound, vision, costumes, and production.
This year’s show, Splash, was inspired by a theme suggested by the cast. It will portray a little girl's dream sequence, sailing across the seas, exploring rivers, and delving into life above and beneath the waves, right down to the microscopic world of a drop of dew. This dazzling performance is brimming with music, dance, circus arts, and poetry, exploring the world of water and our place in it. It will demonstrate that, although oceans can divide us, they can also connect us. The show features hit music from artists including Eskimo Joe, songs from Matilda the Musical, Lady Gaga, Vance Joy, Queen and Beethoven, as well as unique commissioned poems by an emerging young resident poet and newly composed orchestral scores.
Since its inception in 1995, the Spectacular has provided all involved with the experience of a lifetime, offering participating primary and secondary school students the chance to work with industry professionals across various disciplines as part of the preparation and performance.
The VSSS Creative Team for 2024 includes Creative Director Neill Gladwin (Edinburgh Perrier Award winner); Creative Producer Simon K Patterson (White Night, Australian Open); Musical Director Chong Lim AM (Musical Director on Dancing with the Stars, John Farnham); and Dance Director Yvette Lee (Bridgerton, Dancing with the Stars, X-Factor Australia, So You Think You Can Dance).
The Spectacular is a proud Victorian tradition, offering government school students the opportunity to perform for thousands of people in this moving performing arts showcase which will be televised in December 2024.
The Spectacular helps students reach one of the highest levels of young achievement in the arts, while building their confidence, perseverance and leadership skills.
The 2024 Victorian State Schools Spectacular is presented by the Department of Education.
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