Curtains close on Stage Challenge

One of the biggest cultural events in the school calendar, Stage Challenge, is over.

The Stage Challenge Foundation emailed teachers and sponsors to say the annual competition could not go ahead as they couldn’t afford to continue.

The dance competition started in 1992. The Stage Challenge Foundation also operated J Rock, which has also been cancelled.

In a letter to participating schools, foundation chairman Lester Taylor said: ‘‘The income generated from sponsorship and ticket sales in 2018 will be insufficient to produce the events to a high standard.’’

The organiser relied on corporate and Government sponsorship each year, as well as ticket sales and entry fees.

‘‘Major costs of production include venue hire and the associated costs of providing staging, lighting and sound. The current economic conditions are making it difficult for the corporate sector to sponsor charitable events,’’ he said.

Over its time, Stage Challenge said more than 500,000 students had participated with its shows. Last year, 17,000 students took part.

Education Minister Chris Hipkins, a former Stage Challenge participant himself, said the ministry gave $267,000 a year to keep the programme going.

‘‘I understand dwindling corporate sponsorship and funding from other sources was the main reason behind their decision,’’ he said.

Asked if the Government would increase funding to save the event, Hipkins said the ministry had agreed to maintain its funding until 2019. That funding could be offered to other groups looking to keep a dance competition going.

‘‘I’d love to see events like this continue,’’ he said. ‘‘Funding is still available should the event organisers find a viable way forward or should someone else decide to set up a similar event.’’

Stage Challenge producer Helen Sjoquist said that ‘‘names and logos are registered trade marks so cannot be used without relevant permissions’’.

Wellington College arts director Kirsty Hazledine said she and other arts teachers would look to start their own dance competitions.

The news that there would be no Stage Challenge or J Rock in 2018 came relatively out of the blue, she said.