After months of preparation, Baycourt will be buzzing with excitement today as student teams perform live on stage in the country's biggest student performing arts platform, Showquest.

The Bay of Plenty regional event is the seventh of 10 shows held in nine centers around the country.

Open to primary and high school students, local performers are capturing the spirit of the event in themes such as identity, the legend of Mauao, and the five stages of grief.

Results for the regional event will be announced within a Digital Show, released on July 8 at 4pm on the Showquest website.

Showquest is staged nationwide by RQP (Rockquest Promotions), the team behind the successful original music competitions Smokefreerockquest, Smokefree Tangata Beats, and Rockshop Bandquest.

This is the fifth year for Showquest. RQP also offers OnScreen (film), Toi (WearableArt), and Stills (photography).

Showquest is made possible by the support of the Ministry of Education.

Event producer Kelsey Moller says that providing creative outlets and experiential learning opportunities is essential.

'Remaining as consistent and accessible as possible has become a huge part of our kaupapa the last two years,” says Moller.

'It has been such a turbulent time for the rangatahi we work with. Having a creative outlet that they know will be available to them in some capacity has been hugely beneficial and significant amongst the many unknowns they're dealing with.”

A Junior Section is available for teams of students years 1-8, or they have the option to compete within the Open Section against high school students.

Both sections will compete regionally and nationally, with the top prize winners from each region going onto a national final held online on July 29.

First, second and third places will be announced for each regional event along with awards for theme and technology.

Students excelling in creative leadership roles such as Director, Choreographer and Actor will win a mentoring session with an industry professional.

Showquest is also collaborating with World of WearableArt (WOW) to run ‘Toi' - encouraging student designers to take art off the wall and put it onto the human form.

This wearable art competition is an optional component to the overall performance, or student designers may enter their garment on its own.

Although normally presented live to an audience, this year Showquest will be filmed so audience members can watch the performances from home after the event.

The decision to not have a live audience in 2022 was made with regards to the difficulties presented by Covid-19.

The school teams performing in the Bay of Plenty regional event are:

Mokoia Intermediate

Mount Maunganui Intermediate

Papamoa Primary School

Tauranga Intermediate

ACG Tauranga

John Paul College

Katikati College

Rotorua Lakes High School

With Toi (Wearable Art) entries from:

Mokoia Intermediate

Mokoia Intermediate

Mount Maunganui Intermediate

Katikati College

Showquest 2022 will be holding events in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Wellington, Manawatū, Nelson, Canterbury, and Southland.

There will be an online option for school teams outside of these regions to compete.

Showquest is supported by the Ministry of Education, ZM, Kogan Mobile, Rockshop, World of WearableArt and Bernina.