Performing arts students around the region are making the final touches to their entries for tonight's opening of the ASB 2014 ASB 2014 Stage Challenge and J Rock competition.

A total of 16 schools across the Bay of Plenty are taking part in the 22nd annual event at Baycourt Theatre on tonight and tomorrow.

Kristina McNabb, Paige Henderson, Calista Nelmes, Hunter-Laura Dennis and Kate Davey gearing up for their ASB Stage Challenge performances. Photo: Zoe Hunter.

Otumoetai College Year 13 student Paige Henderson, along with fellow students Livia Cawley and Libby Valentine and teacher Jane Harnett, helped to choreograph their open entry ‘The Game of Life'.

The eight-minute piece sees more than 60 of the school's Year 12-13 performing arts students tell the story of how making bad decisions can impact life choices.

'We focus on self-image, money and drugs and alcohol and the effects of all of them,” says Paige, who believes they have a winning performance.

'We've gone for a more general idea rather than focusing on one particular story so it can relate to more people watching it.”

The school's raw piece features about 70 Year 10-11 students and is choreographed by student Milly Blake, as part of a school assessment.

Her piece ‘An Alternative Life' tells the journey of a girl who runs away from university to join the circus.

Otumoetai College, Papamoa College, Aquinas College, Hauraki Plains College, Mercury Bay Area School, Tauranga Boys' College and Bethlehem College will perform their open and raw entries at Baycourt Theatre.

Tonight's raw performances begin at 6.30pm.