Review: Limelight 2024

***Picture***: Spot the proud parents of the *That’s Dance and Acrobatics* performers in the *2024 Limelight* competition! Image credit Creative Futures Photography.

Limelight is part competition, part showcase, and all entertainment. Now in its third year, the Introspect Theatre Company Limelight is a mixture of Moreton Bay’s Got Talent meets Caboolture eisteddfod—all wrapped up in sprinkling of fundraising to support the educational and entertainment goals of this much-loved not-for-profit north Brisbane performing arts company.

Cindy Sykes is the President, Artistic Director, and Founder of Introspect Theatre Company, and organises Limelight with the support of fellow artists and creatives. Sykes is to be congratulated on this special community event that provides a platform for upcoming local artists, singers, dancers, and actors. Each of the 16 acts had up to six minutes to bring their best to the stage, and the room was illuminated with the work of artists who were competing for the visual arts awards.

As with every good competition, the works were presented for review by specialist judges, and were also judged by the audience for the coveted People’s Choice Awards. Hosts Michael and Robyn kept the show on the road, providing introductions and even filling-in when the very occasional ‘hitch’ arose (some memorable filling-in by Michael, who drew a few laughs when threatening to talk about his day so far!).

There were fifteen acts in the main stage competition plus a closing demonstration by Brisbane Dance Theatre. Each act brought their ‘A-game’ to the stage, where my personal favourites were:

The That’s Dance and Acrobatics contortion, which was a stunning individual demonstration of floorwork plus blindfolded bending ‘in the air’ to pick a flower from a vase. Layla Coleman was poised, confident, and flexible—and better than some professional contortion I have seen this year. Perhaps the 2025 awards need a ‘breathtaking’ category?
The Harlem Trio (Cein d’Costa, Jesse Pinkowski, and Xander Bostock) is a highly professional group, and I was not surprised that the trio received the People’s Choice Trophy and Bronte Hargrave’s Judge’s medal for the singing category. Their crowd-pleasing ‘Dancing Queen’ was my personal highlight, but each of their three pieces showcased the impressive self-taught talents of the performers.
Sharni’s Dance Squad (Sharni O’Brien, Phebe Douglas, Ally Cameron, Eva Alzghayar, Clare Shields, Taylah Hughes, Tayler Van Amsterdam and Kassie Lovell) presented two contrasting contemporary-dance-meets-hip-hop-and-cheer numbers—with excellent ‘Freedom’ hip-hop and well-executed ‘Way Down We Go’ contemporary dance.

The North Pine Christian College extract from their forthcoming musical, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, was as heartwarming as promised by ‘Ms Sykes’ (so lovely to see an enthusiastic drama teacher who is inspiring their students—cast credit Harlow Day, Jessica Chester, Cobe Robbins, Findlay Meighan, Isaiah Prasad, Claire Meale and Matilda Ready).
The Roar Academy extract from Maria McConville’s one-act play, Viral, was understandably the drama judge’s choice for the Drama Medal. Congratulations to the four students and their teacher (Charlotte Rubendra, Tylah-Jay Foster, Abbie Gommers, Tessa Parrish, and Madeleine Johns) who presented this thought-provoking piece about the evils of bullying in the time of social media. As Associate Professor Rob Pensalfini said in the judge’s announcement, this was a powerful and relevant performance that ‘connected the actors to themselves, to one another, and to the audience.’
And, finally, an honourable mention to Olivia, from Red Music and Dance. An excellent choice of music for a balletic piece of contemporary dance. Olivia’s piece also wowed the Dance Judge, Sally Muntz, who noted that scores in the dance category were tight but complemented Oliva on a great demonstration of technique and interpretation.

Congratulations to all of the performers who took to the stage. It was also great to be in the room to applaud the work of the visual artists (competitors Emmilyne Major, Rochelle Melville, Nathaniel Howard, Dr Subrat Mishra and Devangna Tiwari—category judged by Melissa Western). I hope they all enjoyed their time ‘in the Limelight,’ and took time out to thank the Introspect team for creating such a great showcase of local talent.

Catherine Lawrence

**Picture**: Dance Judge,Sally Muntz, presenting the People’s Choice Dance Trophy to performers from *That’s Dance and Acrobatics.* Image credit *Creative Futures Photography.*

Audience information: Limelight 2024 was a highpoint in the May 2024 Moreton Bay Anywhere Festival program (19 May 2024, 2pm-5:30pm). Held at the Caboolture Memorial Hall, 65/61 King St, Caboolture. All ages. Note that Council parking restrictions are strictly enforced.

The reviewer attended the 19 May 2024 show.

Geoff Lawrence