CGEN 2022: Behind the scenes

Creative Generation 2022 has finally arrived with 1700 of Queensland's top youth entertainers set to take centre stage at the Brisbane premiere. Take a sneak peak behind the scenes.

After an intense nine-month audition process, 1700 of Queensland’s most talented young dancers, musicians and singers take the stage at Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre this week for Creative Generation 2022.

Eager student performers flitted about the exhibition halls on Tuesday waiting for their last run-through in the lead up to what will be an explosive two-hour show running Thursday through Saturday.

Makeshift beds have been splayed across floors of the seemingly never-ending dressing rooms as students from 134 state schools – some more than three hours’ drive away – practise and await their cue to head to centre stage.

Emma McDonald, Kyla Lambert, Hannah McIntyre, Olivia Li Maybanks and Morgan McAleer are just five of the hundreds of dancers set to take the stage tomorrow.

CGEN – Behind the scenes at Creative Generation 2022. Creative Generation 2022 featured dancers Emma McDonald (Ormeau Woods SHS), Kyla Lambert (Ormeau Woods SHS), Hannah McIntyre (Ormeau Woods SHS), Olivia Li Maybanks (Brisbane SHS) and Morgan McAleer (Harristown SHS). Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

They’ve spent countless weekend hours polishing over 30 minutes of choreography for about 15 dance routines, some with just 30-second costumes changes.

“I think the longest dance is somewhere between two and three minutes,” Morgan said.

Kyla added: “But we’ve been rehearsing since April, pretty much nine to five every Saturday and Sunday leading up to it, it’s nuts.”

The close-knit dance group said the thrill of performing in front of a large audience and making new friends from other schools made the months of hard work well worth it.

“It’s a big difference because usually we’re on a stage that has the one audience looking at you from the front but this is an entire arena,” Hannah said.

CGEN – Behind the scenes at Creative Generation 2022. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

CGEN – Behind the scenes at Creative Generation 2022. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

Morgan added: “And it’s on such like a massive scale and you dance it with thousands of people on such a big stage, it’s just amazing.”

“I really love when we mix casts and we get to dance with the drum line or the choir and the singers as well. Meeting everyone and being surrounded by such a variety of people and talent, and it’s just it’s a really good experience,” Emma said.

“Especially in a non competitive environment,” Kyla said.

Audience members can expect an array of melodies, choreography and visual effects that fit under this year’s theme ‘All of Us – A Change is Coming,’ which showcases how to self reflect, inspire and make a positive difference in the world.

CGEN – Behind the scenes at Creative Generation 2022. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

All 1700 cast members have spent their final rehearsal week performing in incredible unison while light and sound technicians programmed the perfect laser show that would light up both the air and dancefloor during tomorrow’s premiere.

Meanwhile costume and prop designers filled every crevice and corner of the exhibition halls, making their final preparations and backstage and media crews geared into action, ensuring all the behind the scenes movements flowed in harmony with each performance routine.

CGEN – Behind the scenes at Creative Generation 2022. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

Creative Generation, commonly known as CGEN, is Queensland’s largest youth performing arts event and is proudly celebrating its 18th anniversary this year, with jam-packed performances directed by Liz Williamson, Dan Venz (dance), Andrew Bee (music), Emily Gilhome (drama) and Nicola Taylor.

The 2022 program will feature 22 numbers divided into two acts with fan favourite melodies ranging from the Beatles songs to Katy Perry.

CGEN – Behind the scenes at Creative Generation 2022. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

Tickets can still be purchased via Ticketek for shows running this Thursday at 6pm, Friday at noon and 7pm and Saturday 2pm. Child and concession tickets cost $36.55, while adult tickets cost $62.50.