Sneak peek: Creative Generation kids get ready to shine in Brisbane

With six months of dedication and preparation up their sleeves, 2000 students have finally landed Brisbane for the highly anticipated Creative Generation 2024.

• Full cast list, behind the scenes

Six months of preparation, dedication, and raw talent go into the extravagance that is Creative Generation – State Schools Onstage.

This year, 2000 talented individuals – a CGEN record – will perform in what is expected to be an incredible display of passion for music and arts.

168 schools, from as far north as Tagai State College in the Torres Strait, through to Murgon SHS in the Aboriginal community of Cherbourg, across to Beaudesert State High School, down to Palm Beach-Currumbin SHS will head to Brisbane three days before the opening night to bring the final pieces together.

Four special schools including Caboolture, Lee Street, Mackenzie and Darling Point Special Schools, will also take part in the weekend.

L-R Tori Paterson 7, (Windaroo State School), Summer Clatnurthy 9, (Albany Creek State School), Georgia Ruska 8, (Albany Creek State School), Austin Dolgner 8, (Coolnwynpin State School) excited during a break in rehearsals for Creative Generation at the Brisbane Convention Centre Photo: Lyndon Mechielsen

Creative Generation director Liz Williamson said the massive production is purely a celebration of the arts.

“The organisation is incredible, but the team is just awe-inspiring. The way they all come together. They are very experienced and very passionate about changing kids’ lives through the arts,” she said.

“The amount of incredible people here, passionate artists, mentors … it is a celebration of the arts.

“It is different than other art experiences because they are competitions. But this is a celebration, so everyone comes together, everybody is a winner.”

And these students aren’t just anybody, they have been hand-picked over the years to represent Queensland’s passion for creativity.

The process for getting onto the stage isn’t a short one, it starts way back in December 2023 with expressions of interest and nominations in February 2024.

Once the cast is picked it is a six-month rehearsal process to get CGEN to the point of perfection.

Director of the Creative Generation – State Schools Onstage Concert Liz Williamson. Picture: Supplied

The theme for this year is “Absolutely everybody”, celebrating two decades of talented individuals taking to the stage in a two-act performance bound to “wow” the audience.

“The theme underscores a message of inclusivity and unity while reflecting the spirit of diversity and collaboration that CGEN has championed over the years,” Ms Williamson said.

“We’re all about that. That’s the most important thing.”

Among the sea of fantastic performances, Cairns School of Distance Education will open the show with a stand-alone piece and Albany Creek State High School will perform a beautiful rendition of With or Without You.

This year, 2000 talented individuals – a CGEN record – will perform in what is expected to be an incredible display of passion for music and arts. Picture: Supplied

Ms Williamson, who has been in the role since CGEN’s inception, said there was nothing more special than seeing the students come out of their shell on stage.

“You always have kids who were nervous to start the audition process and then, I mean, I love the end result, but I really love that six months leading up because you’re really touching kids’ hearts,” she explained.

“That’s what’s really important about the whole process. It breaks down barriers and showcases what young people can achieve when they’re supported to reach their potential.

“It celebrates our cultures of diversity all over the state as a collective and shines a spotlight on the next generation. These students are our next arts audiences.”

The theme for this year is ”Absolutely everybody”, celebrating two decades of talented individuals taking to the stage. Picture: Supplied

The 2024 concert will include highlights of the show’s past, with a nod to the 13,000 students who have been involved in CGEN over the last 20 years.

The director said multiple alumni will be joining the cast just for the 20th year, as a reminder of the impact CGEN had on them and where it can students in the future.

“As we look to the future, I think it’s important to champion the arts and create a world where every child experiences that life changing impact,” she said.

“We rise by lifting others and by lifting each other in this environment we nurture the artists and dreamers of tomorrow creating an educating the audiences of the future.”