Celebrating the Brilliance of Schools Spectacular 2024
Published in Print March 2025 order now!
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By Danielle Brown
Since its inception in 1984, Schools Spectacular has been more than just a showcase of talent from NSW public school students. It has evolved into an iconic cultural event, bringing together students from diverse backgrounds across the state. This world-class arena production is one of the largest events of its kind in Australia and internationally. The 2024 Schools Spectacular, themed All 4 One, took place on 29th and 30th November at Qudos Bank Arena, uniting thousands of young performers in an extraordinary celebration of music, dance, and theatre.
I had the opportunity to attend one of the rehearsals as the Editor of dancetrain, and it was an unforgettable experience. The choreographers’ spacing was superb, and I captured so many great shots of dancers perfectly aligned. The attention to detail from every performer was incredible. When I’m shooting, I work straight on, whereas the audience at Schools Spectacular views the performance from above. It was fascinating discussing this with the dancers, especially those returning for their second or third time. Many of them are competing in national ballet competitions, attending performing arts schools with company and masterclass commitments, managing their dance studio training, and still choosing to be part of Schools Spec. It speaks volumes about how much they love the experience. They all talk about the fun they have, the people they meet, and the connections they make. Watching them perform was truly moving—and as with previous years I am deeply touched by their performances and leave with an overall sense of joy and hope.
I was also amazed by the synergy between the choir and dance elements. The way the choir choreography blended seamlessly with the dance choreography was fantastic. Communication and collaboration were key themes that resonated with everyone I spoke to, from choreographers to performers alike.
One of the Schools Spectacular choreographers, BJ Rorke boasts an extensive performance career spanning theatre, musicals, and film. He spoke about the challenges of working in an amphitheatre with an almost 360-degree audience, a unique experience for both choreographers and performers. His passion for the event was evident, and his connection with the dancers was inspiring to witness.
Reflecting on the creative process, Rorke explained, “It’s a real collaborative process with Spec, which I really love. The songs are provided for us early on, and then we consider which direction we want to take. We throw some ideas down, but once I got into the environment, I realised that the whole team works that way—everyone jumps in, helps each other out, contributes ideas, and provides feedback. That kind of support has been really helpful.”
He described how his concept evolved: “Initially, it was a slow progression because we really wanted it to feel like a celebration—something happy and joyous. But then I realised we had three groups of performers: singers, combined dancers from different schools, and featured dancers. If they weren’t connected and cohesive, it wouldn’t feel like a celebration. So, the concept evolved into one of collaboration and contagious joy, ensuring all the groups grew together and shared their energy. That focus helped shape the performance into something truly special.”
Speaking about the dancers, Rorke shared, “One of the most incredible moments was seeing all the dancers work together for the first time—navigating the space, introducing themselves, and locking eyes with someone they’d never met before, exchanging movements, and instantly understanding the feeling we were trying to draw out of them. When they finally saw the lights and heard the orchestra for the first time, it was magical. The sheer scale of this event and the journey these kids go on is unlike anything else.”
He also spoke about the challenge of working in an arena theatre: “The best approach is to always see yourself as an audience member, rather than as a choreographer in a dance studio looking straight ahead at the dancers. It’s easy to fall into traditional staging habits, but I had to constantly imagine myself in multiple audience seats around the arena. I had to ask myself—will this intricate movement I’m choreographing make a real impact, or should I focus on how transitions happen and how well we engage different sections of the audience? Spatial dynamics played a huge role in my creative process.”
Schools Spectacular Co-Dance Director, Joanne King noted “The Schools Spectacular draws in the experience of many choreographers to work with the large cast. The passion and teamwork that is brought to the show by these choreographers and the thousands of public school students and teachers, is nothing short of incredible. The show provides so many learning opportunities for everyone involved. It is one of the reasons that the Schools Spec, as it is affectionately known, has been going from strength to strength for over 41 years”
Adrian Torrisi from Northmead Creative and Performing Arts High School is one of many dancers who have embraced the opportunities provided by Schools Spec. He moved from a private school to the public system specifically for experiences like this. Balancing school and dance commitments, he performed in four Schools Spec featured dance ensembles: Contemporary Duos, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, and Collaboration. He particularly enjoyed the Hip Hop ensemble, describing it as “a humble and down-to-earth group, and everyone’s just so fun, bringing enjoyment and energy to the performance.”
Reflecting on the rehearsal process, Adrian noted the dedication of the choreographers, saying, “Our choreographers are very committed. I found that really inspiring because I came in not really knowing what to do, but the choreographers, they came in straight away, knowing exactly what to do.”
Adrian also spoke about how performing in such a vast space influenced his approach: “You spend a lot of time dancing into the mirror or just watching yourself. But I can’t just look forward. I’ve got to dance to everyone around me. It’s about feeding off the people next to you, on the other side of the floor, and really trying to project outside, not just in front of you. It’s a good skill to have.”
Mitchell Clement from Karabar High School, located four hours from Sydney, started dancing at age seven and is an all-round performer, featuring in the Tap, Jazz, and Musical Theatre featured dance ensembles. He also has a growing passion for ballet, stating, “I like ballet because there’s always a right and lots of wrong ways to do it. And so being able to do something the right way is really fun for me.”
On his experience with Schools Spec, Mitchell highlighted how much he valued “working with lots of the choreographers, particularly BJ and Katie,” as it provided “an experience that I wouldn’t usually get at home.”
For 15-year-old Kyla Kearney from Cronulla High School this was her second year performing at Schools Spec. She participated in the Featured Jazz, Musical Theatre, and Contemporary ensembles. She particularly enjoyed the Featured Musical Theatre, which allowed her to explore a new perspective on different dance genres, saying, “We had the opportunity to do a lot of acting during rehearsals, which gave me a new perspective on how the different dance genres work and how diverse they can be.”
Freya Wild from Newtown High School of the Performing Arts returned for her third Schools Spec, performing with the Featured Ballet and Contemporary Duos. She reflected on the friendships she’s built through the event, saying, “The connections I make with all my friends keep bringing me back. I love spending time with people outside of my own school and making those new connections.”
Performing in such a vast space has also been a learning experience for her: “I’m definitely thinking about projecting more because there are so many people sitting further up, and you’re trying to connect with as many people as you can.” She noted how this challenged her ability to maintain her core stability and orientation within the space, saying, “I include projecting in studio rehearsals and avoid looking at myself too much in the mirror.”
Ella Glasson from Inverell High School, who travels seven hours each way to participate in Schools Spec, is a testament to the dedication of these performers. She values the experience because it provides unique professional opportunities that she wouldn’t get at home. “It offers skills, network connections, and friends that will support a future career,” she said.
Dancing since she was two or three years old, Ella performed with the Featured Contemporary Ensemble and the Collab Ensemble, which includes dancers from the Aboriginal Dance Company, featured hip hop, and featured contemporary ensembles. She particularly enjoys this aspect, stating, “It brings together dancers from different styles, including hip hop, contemporary, and traditional Aboriginal Dance—styles I wouldn’t typically dance with. Now, I actually get to experience multiple different styles.”
The 2024 Schools Spectacular once again demonstrated the remarkable talent, dedication, and spirit of NSW public school students. Beyond the impressive performances, it is a celebration of community, diversity, and artistic excellence. Whether through dance, music, or theatre, these students come together to create something extraordinary—an experience that stays with them for years to come. Schools Spectacular is more than a performance; it is a journey of growth, connection, and passion that continues to inspire audiences and participants alike.