Vast Dance Festival celebrates the combined talents of high school students in the "Top of the South" region.

The annual performance showcases students from Waimea College, Nayland College, Garin College, Motueka High School, Marlborough College for Girls, Marlborough College for Boys, Nelson College and Nelson College for Girls.

The objectives of Vast Dance Festival are to:
- Provide opportunities for high school students to perform in a professional environment
- Celebrate the wide range of styles taught in our region
- Provide a platform for student choreographers to share their work
- Give students practical experience with lighting, front of house, design and stage management responsibilities

Consider yourself invited to Nelson Youth Theatre Company's production of Oliver! Charles Dickens' unforgettable characters will burst to life in the Tony Award-winning musical in September at the Theatre Royal!

Bursting with jubilant songs, including "You've Got to Pick a Pocket or Two", "Consider Yourself", "Where is Love?" and the scrumptious "Food, Glorious Food", Oliver! serves up a musical feast for the eyes and ears that will have every theatre-lover in Nelson calling out for "More"!

Dance is joyous and contagious! It can happen anywhere, at anytime, with anyone and everyone and Wakatu Dance Theatre dance joins us and pushes us to go further! "There is always an energetic, fun and friendly atmosphere on stage, while maintaining the highest levels of professionalism" Director Peta Spooner

We love to dance and it's contagious!

Once upon a time...is a theatrical extravaganza of some of the world's most well known stories, movies and music of our time. Shown through the mediums of Dance, Drama, Singing, Musical Theatre, Acrobatics, Cheerleading and Music. Performed by the students from A STAR Academy of the Arts and friends. Performers range in age from 3 years to Adult. This event is a fundraiser for the Salvation Army of Nelson, helping them with their good works and long standing provision to the people of Nelson.

A STAR Academy of the Arts is a Performing Arts School for children and adults specialising in the professional training of Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip hop, Drama, Singing, Musical Theatre Preschool, Irish Dance, Cheerleading, Acrobatics, Body Conditioning, Contemporary, Music, and Stage School. Students enjoy exams in all subjects, competitions and regular public performances, All taught by highly qualified tutors. Part time and Fulltime courses available, Visit http://www.astararts.co.nz or Facebook.

Fun for the whole family, Nelson Academy of Dance presents The Nutcracker, a production that is guaranteed to transport us all to the festive season during winter in Nelson!

One of the world’s most-loved ballets, the adventure begins on Christmas morning when Clara’s brother, Fritz, snatches the Nutcracker her beloved nutcracker doll and falls over and breaks it. From there we follow Clara and her Nutcracker as they travel through swirling snowflakes to a colourful garden filled with characters to delight the young and young-at-heart.

The performance will present dance students as the featured performers and international artist, Jesse Campbell returns to Nelson to dance in this year’s full length classic ballet.

Director Gillian Francis has consistently achieved a very high standard from her very creative and talented students (ranging from the ages of 3 to their mid-20′s) over many years and this year’s The Nutcracker includes beautiful choreography, costuming, backdrops, lighting and sound.

Enjoy winter in Nelson in grand style, making memories to cherish with the ones you love.

The local teens are pulling an all-nighter!  Presenting their own compositions and performing should keep them going through the wee lonely hours!  Sleeping bags essential!

Nelson Youth Theatre Company is delighted to present a double bill, the perfect winter treat for the whole family!

A Christmas Carol
We've taken the spirit of winter, wrapped it in your favourite yuletide melodies and tied it with the magic and wonder of your childhood.
Join Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim and a host of colourful characters for Nelson Youth Theatre Company's production of A Christmas Carol. With ticket prices even Scrooge would approve of, this Charles Dickens classic is a wonderful way to celebrate a mid-year Christmas at the Theatre Royal.

The Secret Garden 
An enchanting adaptation of a classic family novel, this acclaimed production will inspire "the child" within audience members of all ages. After being orphaned in India, 10 year-old Mary is returned to England to live with her melancholy uncle at his neglected estate. Haunted by the ghosts of her past and the secrets of her uncle, she innocently unlocks the forgotten gate to an untended garden on the estate grounds. From its soil, fertile with memory and "magic," springs hope and healing for them both.

Thumbelina is a family adventure presented by Live Arts Nelson

Based on the Hans Christian Anderson Tale

Get ready for the biggest adventure that can fit in the palm of your hand!

Thumbelina is a child of the flowers who is just the size of a thumb. Join Thumbelina on a journey to an enchanted world filled with colourful characters, magic and excitement in production that proves big things do come in small packages. This one hour play is a delight for whole family.

The Nelson Final of Smokefree Rockquest: New Zealand's only nationwide, live, original music, youth event. Now in its 28th year, the series of over 40 events reaches audience numbers in excess of 10,000 every year. Founded in 1989 by music teachers Glenn Common and Pete Rainey, Smokefree Rockquest has now become a New Zealand institution.

Smokefree Rockquest aims to motivate young musicians to prove their ability and realise the heights they can reach in their music careers, and to encourage their peers to support original New Zealand music.

Children under 6 years old free entry at the door (subject to availability)

Smokefree Rockquest is New Zealand's only nationwide, live, original music, youth event. Now in its 28th year, the series of over 40 events reaches audience numbers in excess of 10,000 every year. Founded in 1989 by music teachers Glenn Common and Pete Rainey, Smokefree Rockquest has now become a New Zealand institution.

Smokefree Rockquest aims to motivate young musicians to prove their ability and realise the heights they can reach in their music careers, and to encourage their peers to support original New Zealand music.