Confetti, Choreography, and Chaos

When it comes to Creative Generation – State Schools Onstage (CGEN), we don’t just show up with cameras. We show up with snacks, lucky socks (Jason swears by his flamingo pair), and an unreasonable amount of caffeine. Because capturing over 2,000 Queensland students lighting up the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre is not for the faint of heart—or the under-caffeinated.

The day starts early. Too early. Jason’s convinced we need to be there before “golden hour,” which, for an indoor event, makes no sense. But off we go, lugging gear and chasing the promise of another incredible year. Breakfast? A granola bar on the fly. Break time? Never heard of it.

Once the show kicks off, it’s pure chaos. Soloists hitting notes so powerful they could knock over a microphone stand (true story), dancers leaping like they’ve got springs for legs, and a choir bringing down the house with a rendition of This Is Me that makes you cry a little inside. The parents are bawling, the kids are shining, and Jason’s so into the drumline that I have to remind him he’s not actually in the band.

By the time the confetti flies during the finale, we’re running on adrenaline and vending machine snacks, snapping every glitter-filled moment. The photos? Oh, yes they’re good. 

Post-show, we’re sweaty, starving, and grinning ear to ear. Jason declares it’s burger time, and I silently thank the universe for another year of CGEN magic. If these photos make you smile even half as much as we did capturing them, then our job here is done. Might see you next time, flamingo socks and all.