200 speech and drama students compete for titles

Students from Drama Kids Rotorua have had their final dress rehearsal ahead of this weekends Rotorua Speech and Drama Competition. Photo/Stephen Parker

Drama students from across the country are getting ready to take the stage for the annual Rotorua Speech and Drama Competition.

Presented by the Rotorua Competitions Society around 200 children aged between 5 to 18 will compete from tomorrow until Monday.

The students at Drama Kids Rotorua had their final dress rehearsal last night and despite a last minute cram of their lines they were excited to perform.

Their teacher Jennifer Wicks began studying drama aged 8 and has now been teaching it for more than 10 years.

"One of my favourite things is seeing students come to me that are shy or quiet then seeing their confidence blossom and watching them shine on the stage," she said.

"I competed in them myself when I was younger, I love it."

For 10-year-old Lily Kautz this will be her second time competing.

"I like it because it could be useful later in life," she said.

"Like if you have a speech in front of lots of people or are convincing someone to hire you for a job or you want to learn to remember things better."

Meihana Taputu, 10, has never performed in a competition before.

"You get to meet new friends and learn to use your expressions," he said. "It's fun."

Sofia Keeling, 9, said she liked doing drama because she could act like anyone she wanted to be.

This year will be the 71st Speech and Drama Competition held in Rotorua and committee member Adele Hulme said it was exciting to see people entering from out of town.

"It will be really exciting," she said.

"It's really great for their confidence and general skills in public speaking.

"The younger ones get a chance to just learn so much on a weekend like this by watching the older students perform."

The competitions are being held at the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre from 8.30am until late.

The premier event is the "Performer of the Year" - entrants compete for this title over the weekend with the winner announced at 1pm on Monday.

Admission is free for the public.

Although entries are closed for this year, students interested in performing next year are encouraged to check it out.

What: Rotorua Speech and Drama Competition
Where: Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre
When: 8.30am-Late Saturday and Sunday, 8.30am-1pm Monday
Cost: Free