Global Rock Challenge® provides a series of performing arts competitive events held in professional venues around the world, and schools and colleges are invited to enter teams in these events. In the UK Rock Challenge® there were 3 primary school events, 25 secondary school/college events, and 5 secondary school/college Grand Finals in 2006 ... some 16,000 young people took part, in over 200 teams.

A school / college team (made up of from 20 to 100 performers, 20 stage crew and 14 support crew) decides on a theme, reflecting the personalities, concerns, hopes, dreams and interests of those who create it. They then create the choreography for their five to eight-minute dance-drama performance, select the medley of music for their soundtrack, and design and make their sets and costumes.

On the designated show day, the competing schools and colleges in that region assemble for a wonderfully friendly day of interaction, rehearsals and fun. In the evening they perform to a usually sellout audience of their peers, families and community members, and their performances are judged by a panel of specialists from the performing-arts industry. The winning team is invited to take part in the UK Southern or Northern Grand Final.

The challenge is for the students and their teachers to create and be involved in their own production from conceptualisation through to the live performance. The challenge is also to be the best that they can without the use of nicotine, alcohol or other drugs, and there are penalties for anyone who fails that challenge on any event day and for their team too. Feedback / research indicate that the concept works, with improved relationships with teachers at school, a reduction - or even cessation - of substance abuse by team members and a lower incidence of substance abuse generally within participating schools.

The Rock Challenge® communicates health and social education messages in a positive and supportive environment.

Details of performance times, ticket prices, etc., coming soon.