Creativity stars at Queensland's birthday bash
June 2009
Creative Generation alumni and special guest performer Chrislyn Hamilton, of Australian Idol fame, hits a high note during "Climb Every Mountain".
Celebrate Queensland's 150th birthday in the state's biggest variety show? Check.
Bring the house down at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre? Check.
Learn from world-famous choreographers while singing, dancing and making music with some of Australia's best performers, including country music legend Lee Kernaghan, pop sensation Ricki Lee, ARIA award winning band Operator Please and So You Think You Can Dance 2008 winner Jack Chambers? Check!
More than 2000 of Queensland's brightest young performers ticked more than a few once-in-a-lifetime experiences from their wish lists at the fifth annual Creative Generation - State Schools Onstage at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre of June 6.
After a lengthy audition process, the talented performers mesmerised audiences with a unique lesson in Queensland's history - celebrating everything from the northern tropics to the outback, our youth and our heroes through jazz, opera, rock, circus stunts and contemporary culture.
Creative director Liz Williamson said the show, held on Queensland Day on June 6 and based around the Q150 theme of our people, our places, our stories, generated many highlights.
'These talented students created so many memorable moments, including the show-stopping finale when all 2000 performers took to the stage together,' Ms Williamson said.
'Australian Idol finalist Chrislyn Hamilton, whose rise to fame began in our show last year, performed alongside Cleveland District State High student Jal Joshua, runner up in this year's Australia's Got Talent to deliver a powerful rendition of "Climb Every Mountain".
'Jal's solo performance of "Change This World" was another unforgettable moment when he was joined by more than 100 dancers who created a huge peace sign on the arena floor.'
Ms Williamson said few in the audience would forget the stunning Great Barrier Reef tribute which saw students soaring above the arena in a breathtaking display of acrobatics and physical theatre manoeuvres with Flipside Circus and Zen Zen Zo Physical Theatre.
'But proving good things come in small packages, five-year-old Paige Rudd from Mount Cotton State School stole the show with her turn as a hatching turtle,' she said.
Executive producer Tracey Walker said the show was three-hours of non-stop entertainment.
'The opening involving Indigenous students from far North Queensland just took my breath way,' Ms Walker said.
'The duet by Palm Beach-Currumbin State High students, Anna Johnston and Simon Tichelaar was another highlight as they brought the audience to their feet with their beautifully choreographed routine to The Beatles' classic "Let it Be".
"The students worked with leading choreographers, singers, musicians and industry professionals for the past three months, giving them a life-changing opportunity to gain rare insights and industry knowledge.' Ms Walker said.
The event will be televised on Network Ten in October.
For more information, visit the Creative Generation website.
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