The stage was set and Port Stephens youth were sure to put it to good use at the inaugural Battle of the Arts event last week.
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There was no shortage of talent with students from a variety of Port Stephens high schools putting on their best musical, dance, poetry and theatre performances.
It was Irrawang High School students Evan Flippence, Holly Olding, Daniel Cobby and Brodie Warner who took out the grand prize of $500 with their drama ensemble.
Year 11 student Evan wrote the script himself and said he has been wanting to join drama since Year 7 but didn't join until Year 9.
"I really enjoy drama and performing is one of my favourite things to do," Evan said.
His script was about auditioning for The Voice.
"I'm the director and they come in and audition and all these things happen and then we end up going into a little bit of a song," Evan said.
Evan was also a part of the Irrawang High School's senior drum corps performance.
Second place went to Tomaree High School's Violet Carpenter and third place for Tomaree High School's Reannah Hyland.
Equal fourth place went to Hunter River High School's Scarlett Gibbons and Hunter School of Performing Arts Isla Slattery.
In attendance was deputy mayor Leah Anderson who said the event meant a lot to the youth of Port Stephens.
"You only needed to look in the room to see how excited and eager all of the young people were to perform," she said.
Acting vibrant places coordinator Kate Connor said the event was highly successful with positive feedback from young people, teachers, judges and families.
"The event also created mentoring opportunities for young people," she said.
The event was held at Soldiers Point Hall and Cr Anderson said it was a great opportunity to re-purpose the hall.
"Port Stephens Council were able to look at this facility and use it for a great event such as the Battle of the Arts," she said.