Southern Stars set to storm the stage for this year's magnificent arena performance

Southern Stars are set to bring their biggest, most magnificent arena spectacular to the WIN Entertainment Centre at the end of August.

More than 3000 school students from Kindergarten to Year 12 will perform an exciting showcase of dance, drama and music accompanied by a live orchestra.

It’s their largest cohort ever, and the year’s theme, Magnifica, was a fitting one, creative director Ruth Ellevsen said.

“It’s the Italian and Spanish word for magnificent, and I think the show is magnificent, the kids are magnificent and all the teachers are magnificent,” she said.

“The students are really engaging with it; we address themes like family, relationships, love, cultural exploration, belonging, themes that are important to kids these days, so they have a real affiliation with the show which I’m really proud of.

“We have raised the challenge with this year’s Southern Stars, but I’ve never met a child that couldn’t do what I’ve asked of them; they are amazing.

“The teachers that are behind the show, it’s a big ask but they do it because they’re passionate and they believe in the opportunity Southern Stars gives their students.”

Ruth said any Swifties in the audience should also keep an ear out for a couple of bangers from Taylor.

Paul Rogers is executive producer for the fourth year, and said Magnifica was a timely reminder of all that is good in the world.

“It’s a real celebration of life and relationships and those connections that bring people together,” he said.

“There is so much in the world that causes anxiety and grief for people; this show is about bringing people together and celebrating not only what they are good at but what is good about life and humanity.

“The theme for [Public Education Week] this year is ‘proud to belong’, and all these kids who are Southern Stars family are proud to belong to this.

“It gives them a chance to shine and showcase what they’re good at or what they love; you don’t have to be the world’s best, you can participate, there’s no judgement.

“It’s a unique experience.”

Of the 3000 students performing this year, 2000 are dancers, 500 are in the choir, 200 make up Aboriginal dance ensemble Yanggaa Garaba and 80 are part of the orchestra, alongside featured vocalists, a marching band, circus performers and rising stars.

The students come from 125 schools across the Illawarra, South Coast, Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands, as well as Sydney and elsewhere in the state.

Chloe Wilkinson is part of the Southern Stars Performing Company High School dance company and has taken part in Southern Stars since she was in primary school.

“This is my fifth year as part of the company; we get to showcase our talents as part of the show in addition to what we might do with our school,” she said.

“In primary school I did Southern Stars for two years with my school and I always looked up to the older girls in the company doing their fancy tricks on stage.

“I look forward to it every year; you make new friendships and connections and get on stage with a bunch of talented people. It’s such an exciting experience to come back to.

“I’ve always loved performing, but being on stage with 3000 other students, getting to be part of that is surreal, it’s amazing and so special.”

This year there will be three performances: one on Friday 30 August at 7 pm and two on Saturday 31 August at 1 and 7 pm.

Tickets are now on sale through Ticketmaster: Southern Stars Tickets | More Arts, Theatre & Comedy Show Times & Details | Ticketmaster AU