36 students from Sydney’s Inner West are among only 149 students statewide chosen to perform as featured artists and dancers at the Schools Spectacular’s 40th anniversary show, ‘Fabulous’.
The students (listed below) went through a rigorous audition process before being chosen from more than 900 nominations to be part of the largest performing arts event in the southern hemisphere.
Executive producer Richard Spiewak said the Schools Spectacular was one of the most anticipated events on the public school calendar.
“To be chosen to perform at this world-class event is not only testament to their talent, but also an opportunity for students to nurture their love for performing while working alongside some of the finest talents in the entertainment industry,” Mr Spiewak said.
“The featured artists are some of our brightest stars and, alongside all this year’s performers, they will put on a spectacular show that highlights the incredible talent within our public schools.
“We’ve already seen a sneak peek of their talent during the recent rehearsals, and I can guarantee that this year’s show is going to be fabulous.”
This year’s featured artists range in age from 11 to 18 years and will join more than 5,000 performers drawn from public schools across the state for this year’s live performances at Qudos Bank Arena on 24 and 25 November 2023.
The world’s largest annual variety show will also include an 80-piece symphony orchestra, a stage band, 2,600-voice choir, 2,300 dancers, the D’Arts Ensemble for students with disability, the Aboriginal Dance Ensemble, featured dancers and specialist performers - all under the guidance of more than 600 teachers.
Rehearsals for Schools Spectacular began during the school holidays, where 57 featured artists from schools across the state came together for the first time in Sydney to prepare for the November shows.
They included singers, dancers, musicians and co-hosts who spent the first week of the school holidays immersed in intensive rehearsals at the Department of Education’s Arts Unit in Lewisham.
During the week-long rehearsals, students practiced their songs and segments, engaged in one-on-one vocal workshops, underwent styling and costume fittings, and participated in wellbeing sessions.
The theme this year is ‘Fabulous’ and celebrates a show that has wowed its audiences for 40 years since its first performance to celebrate the opening of the Entertainment Centre in Darling Harbour in 1983.
The Schools Spectacular is proudly supported by sponsors and supporters: Telstra, NSW Teachers Federation, School Bytes, RØDE, Smartsalary, Teachers Health, Colmed Group, Steinway Australia, Sony Australia and Event Partners: Qudos Bank Arena, Seven Network and Ticketek.
Tickets for the 2023 Schools Spectacular are on sale now through Ticketek.
Local students performing as featured artists and dancers at this year’s Schools Spectacular include:
Burwood Girls High School - Chelsea Gunawan, Year 10 (Featured Dance)
Burwood Girls High School - Bethany Milbourn, Year 10 (Featured Dance)
Burwood Girls High School - Ginger Phillips-Osborn, Year 12 (Featured Dance)
Burwood Girls High School - Millie Vandenhoek, Year 10 (Featured Dance)
Burwood Girls High School - Layla Zecevic, Year 11 (Featured Dance)
East Hills Girls Technology High School - Kayla Manley, Year 10 (Featured Dance)
Newtown High School of the Performing Arts - Micah June, Year 8 (Featured Artist)
Newtown High School of the Performing Arts - Bonnie Kirgan, Year 10 (Featured Artist)
Newtown High School of the Performing Arts - Jessica Laffan, Year 9 (Featured Artist)
Newtown High School of the Performing Arts - Bella Laga'aia, Year 8 (Featured Artist)
Newtown High School of the Performing Arts - Karl van Wel, Year 12 (Featured Artist)
Newtown High School of the Performing Arts - Juliette Andersen-Allen, Year 9 (Featured Dance)
Newtown High School of the Performing Arts - Eleanor Bannell, Year 10 (Featured Dance)
Newtown High School of the Performing Arts - Aaliyah Dizdar, Year 9 (Featured Dance)
Newtown High School of the Performing Arts - Ebony Govender, Year 10 (Featured Dance)
Newtown High School of the Performing Arts - Yuuki Hiwatashi, Year 10 (Featured Dance)
Newtown High School of the Performing Arts - Tali Jensen, Year 10 (Featured Dance)
Newtown High School of the Performing Arts - Asher Katrakis-Owen, Year 12 (Featured Dance)
Newtown High School of the Performing Arts - Christian Kotevski, Year 10 (Featured Dance)
Newtown High School of the Performing Arts - Maya Lama, Year 9 (Featured Dance)
Newtown High School of the Performing Arts - Chenzi Mapp, Year 9 (Featured Dance)
Newtown High School of the Performing Arts - Olivia Marazios, Year 9 (Featured Dance)
Newtown High School of the Performing Arts - Jazz Millar, Year 10 (Featured Dance)
Newtown High School of the Performing Arts - Rhea Oba, Year 10 (Featured Dance)
Newtown High School of the Performing Arts - Alyssa Pierantonietti, Year 9 (Featured Dance)
Newtown High School of the Performing Arts - Caylan Spendlove, Year 9 (Featured Dance)
Newtown High School of the Performing Arts - Olivia Van Der Linden, Year 9 (Featured Dance)
Newtown High School of the Performing Arts - Kiara Waring, Year 10 (Featured Dance)
Newtown High School of the Performing Arts - Sophie Whittaker, Year 9 (Featured Dance)
Newtown High School of the Performing Arts - Freya Wild, Year 9 (Featured Dance)
Newtown High School of the Performing Arts - Abi Willis, Year 10 (Featured Dance)
Newtown High School of the Performing Arts - Ernesto Young, Year 10 (Featured Dance)
Newtown High School of the Performing Arts - Rhys Moore, Year 11 (Featured Instrumentalist)
Russell Lea Public School - James Hankey, Year 5 (Featured Artist)
Strathfield Girls High School - Stacey Manolakoudis, Year 12 (Featured Dance)
Conservatorium High School - Aidan Carey, Year 10 (Featured Artist)
Contact details:
Alyssa Terese – 0418 874 473, alyssa.terese@det.nsw.edu.au
Billy Kos – 0400 995 922, billy.kos@det.nsw.edu.au